Little Scholars Montessori School

Little Scholars Montessori School Little Missenden, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, HP7 0RF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 February 2018 29 April 2015

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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

 Staff complete detailed assessments of children's progress and quickly identify gaps in their learning. Children make good progress from their starting points.  Staff have good partnerships with other professionals. The comprehensive approach helps to ensure staff are very knowledgeable and meet children's next steps in learning.  Staff meet the children's emotional needs well. Children settle very well as they separate from their parents and are very happy throughout the day.  The provider enthusiatically seeks the views of others, including children and parents, to help her evaluate the quality of the setting and make improvements. For example, staff now enable children to do as much as they can for themselves and to become independent.  Staff are good role models. They provide children with positive ways to express their feelings. Children behave well and show kindness and consideration to their friends.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Some children lose concentration in group activities because staff do not always take full account of the differing needs and abilities of all the children.  Staff do not make the most of all opportunities to engage parents and find out about children's development at home to promote children's learning even further.

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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

 enhance opportunities for children to become fully engaged in their learning and raise their achievement to an even higher level  strengthen opportunities for all parents to share what they know about their children's progress at home, to promote an even more shared approach to their learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact on children's learning.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held discussions with the manager, children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at various documents, including policies and procedures, risk assessments, staff training records, records for children and evidence of the suitability of staff.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The provider follows robust recruitment procedures to help ensure the suitability of staff. Staff have a good understanding about the procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child's welfare. The provider monitors staff performance well, for example, through regular and thorough supervisory arrangements. She ensures that new ideas, such as from training, are implemented with positive impact. For example, after a review of the outdoor environment, staff made changes that raised the progress of children's mathematical skills. Staff have good relationships with parents, overall. They make regular observations of children's learning and share this information with parents to keep them informed of their children's next steps and progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide an interesting, calm environment and know children very well. Children are inquisitive learners. For example, they focus intently when looking for dinosaur bones. They use rich language and discuss whether their dinosaur will be a meat or plant eater. Children learn how to follow instructions and show good problem-solving skills, such as working together to successfully complete their model. Children are very imaginative. For example, they dress up as their favourite characters and build a castle together. They are mindful of their younger peers and readily engage them in their play. Children gain a growing understanding of the world. For example, they discuss the planets in the solar system with genuine interest.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

New children settle quickly and form strong relationships with their key person and other children. Staff effectively promote children's good health. For example, children actively peel and cut their healthy snacks. They explore different tastes and smells and understand that eating an orange will provide them with vitamin C. Children have many opportunities to practise their physical skills and demonstrate a good understanding of personal safety. For instance, young children independently make their way over large apparatus. Staff embrace the different backgrounds of families and children. Children have a range of opportunities to learn about themselves and others.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are learning the skills they need for their move to school. They are very independent and manage their own personal care well. For example, younger children know how to put on their own wellington boots and confidently use the wide range of resources available to them, indoors and outdoors. Older children learn to read full sentences and form letters of their names. Children develop good skills in numeracy. They know simple calculations and make predictions as they play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY217221 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 1091323 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 38 Number of children on roll 52 Name of registered person Little Scholars (Montessori) Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 29 April 2015 Telephone number 01494 867324 8am 1pm 07979591533

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reference number

Little Scholars Montessori School registered in 2001. It operates from the village hall in Little Missenden, Buckinghamshire. The nursery opens from 9am to 1pm on Monday and Friday and from 9am to 2.45pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, during school term times. The nursery employs nine staff, eight of whom have relevant qualifications. The nursery follows the Montessori philosophy.

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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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