Seedlings Montessori Preschool

Seedlings Montessori Preschool 227 Poverest Road, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent, BR5 1RD

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 July 2017 19 March 2015

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The provider has not provided Ofsted with all the necessary information needed to carry out suitability checks on all committee members.  Opportunities for physical play do not always challenge children to fully explore their capabilities.  Self-evaluation is not fully effective to help ensure all statutory requirements are met, and to target improvements.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff encourage children's early literacy skills very well to help prepare them for school. For example, they support children to make connections with letters and sounds to help them read.  Children show high levels of self-esteem and confidence. They are keen to talk to adults and other children, and initiate their play independently. This contributes successfully to their emotional well-being.  Staff share regular information with parents about the progress children make and provide ideas to support learning at home to help build on continuity.  Children make good progress from their starting points. The manager and staff track children's progress to help identify any gaps in learning and plan interesting activities to close the learning gaps.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Due Date

 ensure Ofsted is provided with the necessary information needed to determine the suitability of all committee members, as required. 28/07/2017

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 extend opportunities for children to build on, and challenge, their physical skills even further  improve systems for self-evaluation to identify breaches of requirements and any other areas for improvements.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning and development, indoors and outdoors.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and held a discussion about children's learning.  The inspector spoke to staff and children and held meetings with the manager.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.  The inspector discussed the completed self-evaluation form with the manager and their plans for improvement.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The provider has processed Disclosure and Barring Service checks for committee members but has not given Ofsted the information to enable all required suitability checks to be completed. The impact of this is minimal as committee members are not left alone with children. Safeguarding is effective. Managers and staff know what action to take should they have any welfare concerns. They are aware of their duty to prevent children being drawn into situations which could put them at significant risk of harm. Leaders of the pre- school involve others in evaluating the effectiveness of the provision. However, self- evaluation is not robust enough to identify all areas where improvement is needed. The manager ensures that the curriculum has a wide range of learning opportunities to help children develop skills for life. For example, children show keen interest in learning other languages, such as French and Spanish, to help them gain useful skills for future learning.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

She monitors staff performance effectively, such as through regular one-to-one discussions to support their ongoing development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Overall, the well-qualified staff make good use of their training to plan enjoyable activities that suit children's developmental and learning needs. They organise the indoor play area well and provide many opportunities for children to be independent learners. For example, children enthusiastically use magnifying glass to investigate natural resources, such as sea shells and plants. Staff use their training to extend children's mathematical skills effectively. For example, they provide rice and beans in different containers to help children learn about sharing and halving. They ask skilful questions and allow children time to think and form their answers to help improve their communication and language skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Children behave well and are confident with the daily routines and expectations. Staff use effective methods to help them understand these routines. For example, after children finish with one activity, they tidy up and put this back on the shelves and choose another activity. Children enjoy regular opportunities to engage in active play but activities sometimes lack challenge and children do not explore their full physical capabilities. Staff encourage parents to send in healthy packed lunches and they use discussions at mealtimes to reinforce children's growing understanding of healthy eating.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who receive additional funding are prepared well for their next stage of learning. They are sociable, polite and form good relationships with one another. Children show positive attitudes towards learning. For example, they engage well in their chosen activities and contribute to group discussions. Younger children begin to recognise letters in their names and some older children are able to read books independently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY235081 Local authority Bromley Inspection number 1091471 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Christ Lutheran Church Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 19 March 2015 Telephone number 01689 608512 822340

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reference number

Seedlings Montessori Preschool registered in 2002. It is located in Petts Wood, Kent. The pre-school is open each weekday from 9.30am to 1pm, during term time only. There are nine staff, seven of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 4 and above. This includes a member of staff who holds qualified teacher status. The pre-school receives funding to provide 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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