Little Acorns Montessori Ltd

Little Acorns Montessori Ltd Berkshire Guide Centre, Windlesham Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG42 1GG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 October 2017 13 December 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 children's progress well. She uses information about children's individual learning to identify gaps and plan for their individual needs quickly. All children, including those who have special educational needs and those learning English as an additional language, make good progress from their starting points.  Staff support children's emerging interest in literacy well. For example, they plan small focus group activities to help children learn about letters and sounds. Children eagerly join in and enjoy identifying sounds and matching them to the corresponding letters.  Staff are warm and caring and support children's emotional well-being effectively. They quickly recognise when some children need extra emotional support. Children form positive relationships with staff and feel safe and secure.  The manager reflects on the quality of the provision well. She uses feedback from staff,

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This provision is good

parents and children to guide improvements. For example, the garden has recently been refurbished to include a track for children to use ride-on toys.  Children develop good skills that prepare them well for future learning and school. For instance, they learn to recognise their names and are motivated to learn.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally staff miss opportunities to help children to think critically and to solve problems for themselves.  Systems to monitor staff's understanding of the setting's policies and procedures are not precise enough to help the manager to identify all gaps in staff's knowledge.

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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

 increase opportunities for children to think critically and solve problems, to further extend their learning  monitor more precisely the systems used to check staff have a clear understanding of the setting's policies and procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to parents and took their views into consideration.  The inspector observed the interactions between the staff and the children and considered the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager and discussed with her how she supervises staff.  The inspector questioned staff on how they ensure the children are kept safe, and what to do if they are concerned about a child's well-being.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the setting.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager ensures that staff complete relevant training and have a good understanding of the signs that a child may be at risk of harm. Staff support children who have special educational needs and those learning English as an additional language very well. For example, the manager meets regularly with other professionals to agree on strategies to support children's learning. Children make good progress from their starting points. The manager generally supports staff well with their professional development. For example, she provides staff with regular supervision and coaching to help improve outcomes for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide stimulating play areas inside and outside. Children make independent choices in their play. For example, they play on the pirate ship and talk to each other about where they want to go. Staff add additional resources, such as cardboard tubes, to the play to help children build on their imaginative skills. Children show good levels of imagination. Staff generally support children well to develop their language and communication skills. For example, they listen to what children have to say and introduce new words. Partnerships with parents are good. Staff use information they gain from parents to establish children's starting points. They use this knowledge to plan purposeful activities, to help children achieve well from the outset. Staff involve parents in their children's learning and share the good progress they make.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff encourage children to be independent in their self-help skills and to respect the environment. For example, children choose what they would like to play with and staff encourage them to tidy away when they finish. Staff place a good focus on supporting children to lead a healthy lifestyle. For example, they remind them about following good hygiene routines and the importance of keeping themselves safe when using large apparatus. Children's behaviour is very good. Staff act as positive role models and give gentle guidance and support to children. For example, if children have a minor disagreement over a toy, staff use strategies to help children learn to take turns. Children show good levels of cooperation and respect for others.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress. Older children develop their independence and complete simple tasks for themselves, including how to manage personal care routines. Younger children begin to develop confidence in their abilities. Children learn about the world around them. For example, they gain an awareness of the differences between themselves and others. Children develop good physical skills and listen well. They are confident to speak in a group.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY464703 Local authority Bracknell Forest Inspection number 1063561 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 2 - 4 Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Little Acorns Montessori Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 13 December 2013 Telephone number 01344859933

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reference number

Little Acorns Montessori nursery registered in 2013. It is situated at the Guide Centre in Bracknell, Berkshire. The nursery follows the Montessori ethos. The nursery opens from 9am until 3pm from Monday to Friday, term time only. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 10 members of staff who work with the children. Of these, seven hold relevant qualifications, including one member of staff who has qualified teacher status.

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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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