Montessori Community School

Montessori Community School Cyprus House, 183 Townmead Road, Fulham, London, SW6 2JX

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 December 2016 19 October 2012

p.1

This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

p.1

This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

p.1

This provision is inadequate

 The manager, who is also the provider, fails to safeguard children's welfare adequately. She lacks understanding of her responsibility to report concerns correctly and does not have sufficient awareness of when it is appropriate to discuss matters with parents, as outlined by the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.  The manager does not know the correct procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against any member of staff and does not follow the setting's safeguarding policy sufficiently. This places children's safety and well-being at risk.  The manager has failed to identify breaches of requirements and weaknesses in her professional knowledge, to maintain the quality of the provision effectively.  Occasionally, staff miss opportunities to help some of the young children fully develop their speaking skills to make the best possible progress in their language development.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 The lead person for safeguarding has a secure knowledge of how to help protect children from harm, including from any emerging safeguarding issues.  Staff know children well and monitor their development effectively. All children make good progress in their learning overall, particularly the oldest children who develop clear communication skills and enjoy talking about their experiences.  Partnerships with parents and other professionals to support children's learning needs are effective. Staff work in collaboration with them to provide continuity.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

p.2

Due Date

 obtain an up-to-date knowledge of what to do in the event of a safeguarding concern in relation to when it is appropriate to inform parents, in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance; in particular, the correct action to take to report a concern to the statutory agencies without delay 30/12/2016

p.2

Due Date

 gain a secure understanding of, and implement, the setting's safeguarding policy, particularly in relation to the correct procedures to follow in the event that an allegation is made against any member of staff, to protect children's well-being. 30/12/2016

p.2

Due Date

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

p.2

Due Date

 make more effective use of self-evaluation to identify all weaknesses in practice and knowledge, to rectify all breaches in requirements and to improve the quality of the provision  find further ways to support the youngest children to develop their speaking skills.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff's teaching practice and children's learning experiences, indoors and outside.  The inspector spoke to parents to gain their views and experiences of the setting.  The inspector spoke with children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection and held a meeting with the provider, who is also the manager.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector looked at a sample of children's learning records, staff observations and planning, and a range of policies and documentation, such as the suitability of staff, and the setting's safeguarding procedures.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Arrangements for safeguarding are ineffective. The manager has a poor understanding of the correct procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child's welfare. She does not know which statutory agencies to notify of any concerns, or recognise the importance of reporting concerns without delay. The manager also lacks knowledge of what to do if an allegation is made about a member of staff and does not know how to implement the setting's safeguarding policy and procedures. For example, she says she would investigate allegations, and would discuss matters with parents. This action may not be appropriate and has the potential to undermine an investigation by safeguarding professionals. However, the designated lead person for safeguarding has a clear understanding of how to deal with all safeguarding matters. Most staff know to share any concerns about a child's well-being with her. Self-evaluation is weak. The manager has failed to maintain

p.3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

the overall quality of the provision and ensure her knowledge of welfare requirements is secure and up to date. She does not recognise the negative effects of the weaknesses in safeguarding on children's safety and well-being. The manager offers staff opportunities to access professional development and ensures staff have secure knowledge of the curriculum. For example, staff have attended training that has helped them improve how they use the outdoor space to support children's learning more effectively.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Overall, staff have a strong understanding of how to promote children's learning and development effectively. For example, staff encourage children to count the ingredients and to roll out the dough for their Christmas biscuits to build their mathematical and small physical skills. Children eat these for dessert after lunch and talk proudly about their achievements. Staff invite children to join in group games to support their understanding of the world and turn-taking skills. For example, the oldest children pick objects out from a basket and describe what they can see. Young children have opportunities to explore their early writing skills. For example, they experiment with dipping various tools in paint. Children enjoy opportunities to build their physical skills. For example, they spend time investigating and climbing on soft-play resources, negotiating space with their peers.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Children's welfare is compromised by the significant weaknesses in the manager's knowledge of safeguarding practice. Children's physical and emotional well-being is not protected effectively. Nevertheless, children develop confidence and behave well. Staff are friendly towards children, and encourage them to be independent and develop their self- care skills. For example, children enjoy helping to set up and clear away activities. Staff have re-organised their lunchtime routines since the last inspection, to create a calm and well-organised atmosphere. Children learn the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and have access to a variety of nutritious food.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children gain strong physical skills and enjoy choosing challenges for themselves. The oldest children are confident communicators. They enjoy making marks and use their developing awareness of letter sounds to share their ideas. However, sometimes, staff do not make the most of supporting the youngest children to develop their spoken language skills. Overall, children are well prepared for future learning and for school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY392310 Local authority Hammersmith & Fulham Inspection number 1058897 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Winnie Minling Cao Sharples

p.5

reference number

Date of previous inspection 19 October 2012 Telephone number 02077 368922

p.5

reference number

The Montessori Community Nursery was registered in 2009. It is situated in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am until 6pm, for 50 weeks of the year. The nursery follows the Montessori philosophy of education. The provider receives funding for the provision of free early education to children aged three and four years. The nursery employs 11 members of staff. The manager and three other members of staff hold Montessori qualifications to level 4. All other staff but one hold appropriate early years qualifications to at least level 2.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.6

reference number

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

p.6