Norman Court Montessori CIC

Norman Court Montessori CIC Norman Court School, Norman Court, Salisbury, SP5 1NH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 August 2017 25 February 2014

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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

 Children are happy and settled. They play together cooperatively as staff help them to learn to value and respect the needs of others.  Children make good progress in their learning. Staff know children well and encourage their development by offering a good range of interesting activities and experiences which supports their learning effectively overall. Children make good progress.  Staff make good use of the outdoor play environment to support children's physical development. For example, children are active, enjoy fresh air and have lots of fun as they access challenging activities and learn to manage risks for themselves.  Staff establish positive relationships with parents. The two-way exchange of information contributes to a consistent approach to children's care and well-being.  The manager has a clear understanding of the strengths of the provision and areas to be developed further, helping to improve outcomes for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasions, staff do not make the most of opportunities to support the younger children's early communication and language skills.  Staff do not make the best use of opportunities to extend all children's early writing skills, especially to support children who learn better outdoors.

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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

 encourage young children's early communication skills consistently to enable them to experiment using sounds and words even more  increase chances for children to develop their early writing skills further, particularly to support those children who prefer to learn outdoors.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities indoors and outdoors, interactions between the staff and children, and looked at the play equipment and resources.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager after viewing activities to discuss the impact of teaching.  The inspector spoke with the manager, staff and some parents. She also talked with the children at appropriate times.  The inspector looked at documentation, including a sample of children's records and staff suitability records.  The inspector discussed the systems used to evaluate the nursery.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Thorough recruitment and vetting procedures are followed to determine the suitability of staff to work with children. Staff complete safeguarding training and are confident about child protection procedures and their responsibility to keep children safe. The manager and staff carry out ongoing checks of the premises and take prompt action to address any issues to minimise risks to children. Documentation, including records of any accidents, is clearly maintained. The policies and procedures to support the running of the nursery have recently been updated. The qualified staff team is supported well by the manager to increase their knowledge and skills. For example, she regularly observes staff practice and provides support and training so that teaching improves. The manager oversees the systems to check children's progress, which enables her to target any gaps in the children's learning. Staff-to-child ratios are maintained and

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

staff work together well to make sure that children receive good-quality care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have a good understanding about how children learn through play and exploration. They allow children to lead their own play and try out new ideas. Older children become deeply involved as they engage in stimulating learning experiences. For example, they relish being outdoors and use their imagination well as they select twigs, soil and water to make their 'chocolate cake'. Staff interact positively to develop children's thinking skills further and introduce some mathematical language. The younger children explore their environment with confidence and show good control as they climb and balance on the low slide. Children have chances to look at books independently and to listen to a story with a staff member. The older children learn about letters and the sounds they represent.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff provide a safe and welcoming nursery environment. They link with parents to learn about children's individual needs, such as young children's sleep routines and any special comforters, so these are followed. Staff are warm and caring. They recognise when young children need a cuddle or extra reassurance, supporting their emotional well-being. Staff follow good hygiene routines. Children know to wash their hands before eating. The food provided is adapted to meet children's individual dietary needs and support their good health. Children have access to drinking water to help prevent them from becoming dehydrated.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are confident, sociable and keen to learn. They acquire the skills they need for the future and show high levels of independence. Children behave well and understand the importance to share and take turns in their play. Older children are confident communicators and happily chat to others to share their ideas during the play activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY465377 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 1110581 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 0 - 8 Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 94 Name of registered person Norman Court Montessori Community Interest Company

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 25 February 2014 Telephone number 01980 863 997

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reference number

Norman Court Montessori CIC opened in 2013. It operates from the grounds of Norman Court School near Salisbury. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four years. The nursery opens weekdays from 8am to 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. A holiday club runs during school holidays for school- aged children. The setting employs 14 staff to work with the children, and another three staff to work in the holiday club. Of these, 10 staff have early years qualifications at level 3 or above. Two staff, including the manager, are early years teachers. The setting uses the Montessori teaching method.

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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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