Brambles, Montessori and Forest Preschool

Brambles, Montessori and Forest Preschool East Peckham Village Hall, Bush Road, East Peckham, Kent, TN12 5LJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 June 2018 Not applicable

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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 provider has processes in place to evaluate the effectiveness of the preschool. She identifies areas of weakness and sets targets for improvement. This helps her continually develop the quality of the provision.  The provider has secure vetting and recruitment procedures. For example, she conducts interviews, seeks references, checks for gaps in employment and performs the relevant suitability checks. This helps ensure that staff are suitable for their roles and responsibilities.  Children make good progress and engage well in the wide range of activities available. They actively explore and investigate varied stimulating sensory resources, such as cornflour, dough and sea-life toys in water. This helps to keep their motivation and interest in their learning.  Parents are very happy with the service the preschool offers. Staff share regular information with them about their children's progress, which helps them support

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The provider monitors staff but these processes are not yet fully embedded to help inform highly focussed supervision to develop staff's knowledge and skills further.  Staff do not consistently use questions to help children to think for themselves and fully extend their learning.

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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

 continue to develop the arrangements for the supervision of staff to fully support their training and professional development  enhance teaching to provide more opportunities for children to think for themselves and develop their learning further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children’s learning and development.  The inspector conducted a joint observation and a meeting with the provider.  The inspector viewed a range of documentation, including suitability checks and staff information.  The inspector spoke to parents.  The inspector held discussions with leaders and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Leaders and staff have a secure understanding of safeguarding. They understand how to respond and act on any concerns about a child's welfare. Furthermore, staff know how to escalate their worries to outside agencies if they feel the appropriate action has not been taken. This helps to keep children safe from harm. Leaders effectively oversee children's progress, including that of different groups of children, and quickly identify any gaps in development. They successfully use additional funding and work well with other professionals to help support children's specific needs and interests. Staff improve their knowledge. For example, they attend training to learn about the different ways children learn outside.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff successfully use the information from their observations and assessments to plan for children's next stage in learning. They provide good opportunities for children to increase their physical development. For instance, children tip and pour water with ladles and jugs in the 'mud kitchen'. Also, they ride bikes and scooters outside. Staff help children prepare well for their move to school. For example, they arrange visits to the school and have the new uniform available. This helps children become familiar with their new surroundings. Staff positively encourage children’s vocabulary. For instance, they introduce different words, including 'squidgy', 'squashy' and 'crunchy'. Children respond well, in particular they make up their own language, such as 'unicorny'. Staff provide children with clear explanations, which helps to develop their understanding.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff actively encourage children's understanding of healthy lifestyles. For example, they offer them a selection of fresh fruit for snack, such as raspberries, blueberries, oranges and carrot sticks. Children use tongs and spoons to help themselves and pour their drinks. This helps to build their independence and physical skills. Staff effectively support children's physical well-being. For example, they remind them about why they must drink water in the sun and wear their hats. Staff help children learn about their local community and the area around them. For instance, they go on nature walks and visit the orchard. Staff help children learn to keep themselves safe, such as practising regular emergency procedures with them.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make progress appropriate for their age. They are happy and enjoy their time at the preschool. Children form good relationships with their friends, such as when they talk about where they have been on holiday. Children develop their understanding of the world around them. For example, they excitedly find a beetle in the grass and watch how it moves. Children behave well, for instance they learn to take turns and share during activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY550110 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1136331 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person The Montessori Tunbridge Wells Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07722 177 641

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reference number

Brambles Montessori and Forest Preschool registered in 2017 and is in East Peckham, near Tonbridge, Kent. It is run by The Montessori Tunbridge Wells Limited. The setting opens Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 1pm, and Monday and Thursday from 9am to 3pm term time only. The setting employs seven members of staff. Of these, five hold relevant early years qualifications. It operates a Montessori educational philosophy and offers forest school sessions. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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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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