Sunhill Montessori Nursery

Sunhill Montessori Nursery Sunhill Montessori Nursery, Grantham Close, Royston, SG8 5WY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 January 2018 7 March 2017

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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

 Since the last inspection the leadership team has worked hard to address actions identified. The newly appointed manager is ambitious and enthusiastic. She has high expectations and has swiftly reviewed the quality of practice throughout the nursery. She has begun identifying ways in which staff can improve further.  The quality of teaching is good. Staff use their knowledge and experience well to plan activities that help children to make good progress in their learning.  Relationships throughout the nursery are strong. Children are confident, motivated learners. They enjoy a wide variety of activities, building friendships with their peers and the staff team.  Children's assessment information is regularly reviewed. This is used to identify where they may require additional help from external agencies to narrow any gaps in their learning.  Children's independence is fostered well. Children enjoy doing things for themselves

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This provision is good

during routine activities throughout the day.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Procedures to monitor the impact of staff training and support less experienced members of staff are in their initial stages.  The leadership team does not fully maximise opportunities to evaluate and respond promptly to the views of parents.

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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

 extend performance management processes for staff to help improve outcomes for children even further  build on existing partnerships with parents to provide further opportunities for them to share their views and receive timely information about future changes.

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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 and staff how they reflect on their practice.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through email feedback and discussions during the inspection process.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. There is a thorough understanding among the staff team of child protection issues and how to keep children safe. Guidance from the leadership team ensures staff knowledge is continually updated. Staff are vigilant. They diligently supervise children and quickly respond to any incidents or accidents that may occur. Parents spoken to during the inspection confirm they are quickly informed of any incidents. Parents report that they are thrilled to see their children so happy, settled, and thriving. The manager maintains an overview of the deployment of staff to ensure ratios are met at all times. Additional staff are available, should cover be required, at the beginning or end of the day and at lunchtime. Staff are supported well by the manager, overall. Induction and ongoing supervisory meetings help them to reflect on their practice.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide good levels of support for babies. They encourage the youngest children as they begin to take their first steps and walk independently. Early communication skills are promoted well. Staff narrate, repeat and ask probing questions. They give children the time they need to think, listen and respond. Older children are supported well to develop their mathematical skills. Staff make good use of activities in different areas, such as the outdoor environment. They help children to name shapes and explore volume and capacity as they transport water between containers and their mud kitchen. Parents take an active part in their children's learning. Staff encourage them to come into the setting to share their skills and parents contribute information to their children's learning records about their achievements at home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are attentive and respond well to children's emotional and physical needs. They support children if they become tired during the day, providing cuddles and suitable areas where they can rest and sleep. Hygiene procedures are good and support children's physical health. Routine activities, such as nappy changing, are effective and staff maintain high standards. Older children know when to wash their hands and talk confidently about the reasons for doing this. Children's behaviour is good. Staff help them to develop an awareness of boundaries in the nursery. They provide gentle reminders for children throughout the day. For example, older children are reminded to be careful when using knives to cut fruit and vegetables for their snack.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and develop skills, such as self-help and early writing, to support their readiness for school. Older children talk confidently with each other and share their thoughts and feelings. Very young children show an interest in making marks using pencils and enjoy looking at pictures in books as they cuddle up to their key person.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY463845 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1088451 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 - 7 Total number of places 85 Number of children on roll 89 Name of registered person Sunhill Daycare (Europe) Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 7 March 2017 Telephone number 01763 226 030

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reference number

Sunhill Montessori Nursery registered in 2013 and is one of eleven settings privately owned and operated by Sunhill Daycare (Europe) Limited. The nursery provider employs 21 members of childcare staff. Of these, 13 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery is open Monday to Friday all year around. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery staff provide funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. A holiday club is provided for children up to eight years old during school holidays.

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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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