Circles Montessori Day Nursery School

Circles Montessori Day Nursery School Ivory Equestrian Centre, Pottersheath Road, WELWYN, Hertfordshire, AL6 9SZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 August 2017 9 October 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 manager monitors planning and observes staff engagement with children. All children make good progress given their age, ability and starting points. Staff make regular observations and are able to identify when children need additional support. This helps to ensure that any gaps in their learning are closing quickly.  Staff are warm and caring with children. Each child forms a good relationship with their key person. Children interact with staff, seeking them out to join in their play or admire their creations. Children are happy and settled. They show high levels of confidence and learn to manage their behaviour and changing emotions well.  Parents say that staff are very supportive and always make them feel welcome. They confident when leaving their children because they can share relevant information that enables staff to meet their child's care needs well. Parents say they enjoy opportunities

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This provision is good

to talk about the progress their children make in the nursery.  The manager and staff work closely to raise standards. They reflect on and then develop existing practice. The views of children and parents are sought whenever changes are made. The manager and staff are receptive to trying new ideas in order to motivate and engage children in learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Parents are not always offered further ideas about how to extend their child's learning at home, in order to share their children's successes with staff.  Staff do not currently track children's development as consistently as possible, in order to help them make rapid progress at all times.

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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

 strengthen opportunities to support parents in extending their children's learning at home and to share information about the additional achievements their children make  refine the arrangements for tracking children's progress so that planning for their next steps is even more precise, in order to increase the potential for children to achieve rapid progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector discussed an evaluation of an activity with the manager.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the manager, staff and children.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of persons working with children. The inspector discussed with the manager how she reflects on practice.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussions during the inspection process.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and staff regularly complete safeguarding training. They have a good understanding of the procedure they must follow should they have a concern about a child's welfare. Staff complete risk assessments to ensure that all areas used by children are safe and suitable. The manager holds ongoing supervision meetings to ensure that staff development remains in focus and planned for. This enables staff to continue building on their existing knowledge and skills. The manager and staff work closely with other professionals to support children who attend other settings. This helps to promote consistent care and education. The manager works well with local authority staff to further help her evaluate strengths and target areas for improvement.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The well-qualified staff team interacts effectively with the children to encourage them to be fully involved in their learning. Staff in the toddler room make the best use of opportunities to challenge and further extend children's ongoing progress and development. They know each child's next steps for learning and use this knowledge well to plan an interactive environment that helps them to be successful. For example, furniture and toys are carefully positioned, enabling younger children to steady themselves when they begin to walk unaided. In the pre-school room, staff believe in children's abilities and challenge them accordingly. For example, during creative activities, the children plant and grow their own materials, such as lavender. They later harvest, dry and use the flowers to create their own fragrant and textured pictures. Children extend their own learning during these activities; for example, as they sort and compare the different

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

lengths of the remaining stalks. Staff help increase vocabulary and general knowledge. They encourage children to talk about the colours of the plants and revisit, through conversation, how and where the lavender came from.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are very good role models and teach children about tolerance, acceptance and how to respect differences. They praise children for their achievements, helping to build their self-esteem. Children have time outside to enjoy the fresh air. They are provided with healthy snacks and meals, which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Children learn about keeping safe. For example, pre-school children learn that their actions can affect others as they tidy away toys before they go out to play in order to prevent others tripping over them.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children develop the essential skills needed for later learning and in readiness for their eventual move on to school. They are active learners, exploring confidently inside and outdoors. Children share ideas to develop their play. Throughout the nursery the children embed good self-care skills as they join in daily routines. They learn to feed themselves and to serve the food and clear away afterwards. Children enjoy using books, singing songs and exploring writing materials and tools to support their early literacy skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY378965 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1065222 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 24 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Lisa Lucas

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 9 October 2013 Telephone number 01438815577

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reference number

Circles Montessori Day Nursery School registered in 2008. It was originally one of four nurseries which have now amalgamated into one. The provider employs six members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, throughout the year, from 7.30am to 6pm. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

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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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