First Steps Montessori Prep School

First Steps Montessori Prep School 5 Sebert Road, Forest Gate, London, E7 0NG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 January 2017 15 August 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The manager and staff work well as a team to implement the setting's policies and procedures to support the health and well-being of the children.  Staff carry out effective risk assessments indoors, outdoors and prior to taking children out on trips, to minimise hazards and to enable children to play safely.  Staff engage well with the children and provide a good balance of adult-led activities alongside children's self-chosen play, to help them progress well in all areas of learning.  Children gain an increasing understanding of the growth and changes of animals, insects and plants in meaningful ways.  The partnership with between staff and parents is good. Children benefit immensely from a supportive and consistent approach to their care and development.  The provider and manager work together with staff to evaluate practice and quickly identify targets for improvements. They encourage parents to share their views to help

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This provision is good

them further improve the quality of care and education for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff miss opportunities to extend children's communication and language skills at times, so that they learn to express their feelings and ideas.  Staff do not maximise on opportunities to help children solve simple practical problems.

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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

 extend the support for children to use language to express their thoughts and ideas  make the most of opportunities to develop children's problem-solving skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with the provider, manager and staff at appropriate times.  The inspector observed children's activities and staff interaction with them.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector looked at a sample of children's assessment records, staff suitability checks, the register of attendance and the record of the risk assessment.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff recently attended safeguarding training and have a secure knowledge of child protection issues. They know what to do if they have any concerns that a child is a risk of harm. There are robust recruitment and vetting procedures in place to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. All actions and recommendation set at the last inspection have been addressed. The manager has developed the induction programme and offers staff regular supervision and training to improve the safe management of the children. Also, the provider and manager's precise action plan has led to an overall rise in the quality of care and learning for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff gather relevant information from parents when children start to get to know the children's interests and provide opportunities to build on their existing skills. The assessment system is detailed and it reflects children's individual needs. The manager works alongside staff to identify and plan the next steps to move children on in their learning. Staff encourage children to be independent and learn to stay safe. Staff join in with babies' explorations and support them to use their senses to discover an array of colours, sounds and contrasting textures. Staff take children on regular trips, such as to the library, shops and places of interest, to learn about their local community.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Key persons and parents plan children's transition from home to the setting to help them feel emotionally secure and develop confidence in a new environment. Children enjoy warm, trusting relationships with staff and are developing friendships with other children. The staff's behaviour management strategies are appropriate and help children understand why certain behaviour is not acceptable. Staff implement effective daily procedures to minimise the risk of the spread of germs and support the good health of the children. Babies learn to control their own body, gaining physical skills appropriate to their stage of development. Children engage in daily physical activities that enable them to practise and extend their physical skills. Children enjoy varied and nutritious meals that help them to learn about foods that are good to eat.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their starting points. They use their imagination well such as during pretend play. Children paint, draw and make collages that represent their experiences. Their communication and language skills are developing well overall. Children enjoy computers and learn skills in using a mouse. In the main, children's recognition of numbers and their understanding of sequences, shapes and sizes are developing well. Children's growing independence helps them to prepare well for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 405451 Local authority Newham Inspection number 1068267 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 1 - 4 Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Maria Adesegha

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 August 2016 Telephone number 020 8555 0125

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reference number

First Steps Montessori Prep School registered in 1990. It is situated in Forest Gate, in the London Borough of Newham. The setting is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The provider employs five members of staff with a range of qualifications from level 2 to level 5. The setting operates in line with the Montessori educational philosophy.

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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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