Christchurch Montessori

Christchurch Montessori Beauchamp Place, Reid Street, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 2BS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 December 2016 7 January 2014

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Leadership is inspirational. The manager uses accurate self-evaluation to set very clear goals for continuous improvement in the high-quality provision.  Staff continually check children's progress to maintain the highest levels of achievement. They work well with parents, and other relevant professionals, to put in place support to close gaps in learning promptly. All children make significant gains in their learning and development.  Children's emotional needs are exceptionally well met by staff who are kind, caring and extremely sensitive towards their needs. Children settle extremely well as they separate from their parents and are very happy throughout the day.  Staff provide children with a stimulating environment and an excellent range of interesting activities that provide practical life experiences. Children develop a keen sense of curiosity and use their natural desire to explore and investigate.

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This provision is outstanding

 The key-person system is extremely effective. Parents and children have excellent relationships with their key person who plays a very important part in the life of individual families. Information about the progress children make in the pre-school and at home is shared particularly well.  Children behave extremely well. Staff successfully support children's very positive interactions, and children gain considerate, responsible attitudes to others.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 explore ways to continue to extend the excellent opportunities for children who enjoy spending time outdoors.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children and staff during activities indoors and outdoors.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and spoke with parents, staff and children.  The inspector looked at children's learning records, the self-evaluation form, a selection of policies and other records, and feedback from parents.  The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have an excellent shared understanding of their responsibilities to protect children. For example, any unexplained absences are promptly investigated to monitor children's welfare. Staff regularly review risk assessment arrangements to reduce any hazards to children. They are led by a manager who has very high expectations and is a superb mentor, using observations of teaching to very effectively target training for staff. She expertly uses the wealth of experience among the team to greatly benefit children's development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff motivate children's imagination, understanding of the world and early writing skills exceptionally well. For example, children eagerly take each other's orders at the 'Snack Cafe'. They happily play and eat together, independently pouring drinks from jugs and clearing up after themselves. Children are inspired to practise practical life experiences such as polishing shoes with brushes, matching pairs of socks, undoing a variety of latches and grating soap to create snow. Staff identify children's next steps in learning accurately to very successfully build on their existing abilities. For example, during group-time activities children join in with action songs and discuss different words they can use to describe the wet weather outside.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The atmosphere in the pre-school is calm and nurturing, and routines and care practices are very well considered. Children develop excellent independence. For example, they confidently find their coats and very willingly put on their hats before going outdoors. Children thoroughly enjoy outdoor play and make superb use of the interesting opportunities on offer to enrich their learning. However, staff have not fully considered how to make the best use of the popular outdoor space when the weather is not good. Staff contribute significantly to raising children's self-esteem, for example, through genuine praise. Staff encourage exceptionally mature values in children. For example, children vote in large-group activities and accept the majority choice. Children are extremely motivated learners and show very kind and caring attitudes to each other.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Older children are prepared extremely well for school. For example, they practise recognising numbers and letters and develop excellent early reading and mathematical skills. Children, including those who receive additional educational funding, display high levels of concentration and cooperation. They work together exceptionally well and become engrossed in activities. For example, they love to play 'bingo' with pictures and show impressive general knowledge as they animatedly talk about what is on their cards.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY136941 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 1068608 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person Christchurch Montessori Partnership

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 7 January 2014 Telephone number 01202 487045

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reference number

Christchurch Montessori registered in 2002. It operates from a hall close to Christchurch town centre in Dorset. The setting is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am to 1pm and on Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 3pm, during term times. The setting is in receipt of funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs six members of staff to work directly with the children. Of these, four hold an early years qualification at level 3 and one at level 2, and one member of staff has early years teacher status. The setting uses the Montessori method of teaching.

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reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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reference number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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