Little Elves Montessori Nursery

Little Elves Montessori Nursery Courtney's, Seymour Leisure Centre, Seymour Place, London, W1H 5TJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 January 2017 1 August 2013

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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 provider is enthusiastic and highly committed to her role. She fulfils her responsibilities as nursery manager well and works effectively with the staff team to deliver a high-quality service to children and parents.  Staff provide a nurturing and caring environment where children become highly confident and independent learners.  Partnerships with parents are effective. Parents comment positively on the 'family-like atmosphere' created by the kind and considerate provider and her staff. They state that staff keep them well informed about their children's learning and how they can support this at home.  Overall, staff are well qualified and highly skilled at supporting and extending children's learning. All children, including those learning English as an additional language, make consistently good progress from their starting points. Children develop the knowledge and skills they need to support reading and writing in readiness for school.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, the arrangements for outdoor play do not support children to follow their interests, explore their own ideas and make choices in their learning.  Although the provider monitors staff teaching and supports professional development, training is not targeted as well as possible to prioritise areas where staff knowledge and skills are not so strong.

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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

 broaden and improve the range of opportunities for outdoor play to promote children's all-round development, to support those who prefer to play and learn outdoors  extend the plan for professional development so that it focuses more precisely on improving staff teaching skills and knowledge to an even higher level, to enhance future practice for children's care and learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of care and teaching, and the impact that this has on children's well-being and development.  The inspector took into account the views of parents from discussions during the inspection and from samples of written feedback.  The inspector looked at a sample of documents, including evidence of staff suitability and policies, and children's records.  The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff and children at various points throughout the inspection.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff demonstrate a good awareness of how to identify and report any concerns about children's safety or well-being. The provider carries out regular risk assessments and daily checks, to identify and minimise potential hazards to help keep children safe. The provider and her team regularly evaluate the provision to identify areas for development. For example, they are introducing an online system for recording observations of children's learning and tracking their achievements. The information will be shared with parents and used to inform future planning, to target any gaps in children's development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff gather information from parents on children's starting points and carry out regular observations and assessments, to find out about children's interests and abilities. This helps them to plan what each child needs to learn next. Staff provide a good range of activities indoors, with a strong focus on children having choices and leading their own learning. Staff promote children's language well in a variety of ways. For example, they use stories, songs and discussions to introduce them to new words, and give them plenty of time to listen and respond to questions. Children develop a good understanding of shapes and measurements. For example, they learned about height, width and quantity as they ordered, stacked and counted blocks of varying sizes.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff provide a welcoming environment and show a genuine interest in each child. Children demonstrate that they are at ease in their surroundings. For example, they move around freely, conversing happily with staff and their peers. Staff support children well to develop their independence and personal skills. For example, children learn to recognise when they need a drink or a snack and serve themselves from the healthy options available. Children learn about diversity and to respect different cultures and lifestyles. They develop a sound understanding of rules and boundaries, and their behaviour is extremely good. Children have lots of opportunities to be physically active, including within the sports centre. This helps to promote their good health.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are prepared well for the next stages in their learning. They play cooperatively with others and share resources well. Children become deeply involved in self-chosen activities and show good levels of concentration. They enjoy taking part in games and activities led by adults, and learn to focus their attention for long periods. Older children confidently recognise letters of the alphabet and link these to their phonic sounds. They enjoy practising their writing skills, including forming the letters in their names.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY385529 Local authority Westminster Inspection number 1062237 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Little Elves Montessori Nursery School Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 1 August 2013 Telephone number 07921761835

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reference number

Little Elves Montessori Nursery School registered in 2008. It is situated in the London Borough of Westminster. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8.55am to 3.30pm and offers extended sessions to 5.30pm. The curriculum and teaching style are influenced by the Montessori teaching philosophy. There are six members of staff, all of whom hold a relevant childcare qualification. Three members of staff are qualified at level 6 and the remainder at level 3 or 4. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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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