Step By Step Montessori - Mill Hill

Step By Step Montessori - Mill Hill 2 Belgrave Close, LONDON NW7 3QG

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Inspection date 11 February 2019 Previous inspection date 17 June 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision is good

n Staff track children's progress well and identify any gaps in children's learning. Children's individual learning needs are met. n Partnerships with parents and other professionals are good. Parents have continuous access to their child's learning and their next steps. Parents have termly meetings with their child's key person. Support for children with special educational needs is good. Parents speak very highly of the nursery and staff team. n Children are independent and confident learners. They lead their own play and explore the well-resourced environment. Staff have good relationships with the children and can identify when they need support. n Staff ratios are high. They deploy themselves well and supervise children effectively to help to keep them safe. n The manager evaluates staff practice. She accurately identifies strengths and areas where improvements can be made.

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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

n review the organisation of lunchtime activities to promote children's learning during this time n support staff to develop a greater understanding of how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and to ensure there is a consistent approach to behaviour management.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed staff interactions and children at play indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning and development. n The inspector undertook a joint observation with the provider. n The inspector spoke to children and staff throughout the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of the parents spoken to on the day of the inspection. n The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including safeguarding and staff suitability, policies, procedures and children's progress records.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. All staff know what to do if there is a safeguarding issue. They can explain different types of abuse and know how to report concerns. The manager is ambitious and eager for all the children to achieve well. Partnerships with parents are very good. The manager supports parents by attending any necessary meetings with them. The manager ensures all staff receive up-to-date and relevant training to enhance their knowledge and practice. The manager has regular supervision meetings with her team, and gives constructive feedback to strengthen their skills. The manager reflects carefully on the effectiveness of the provision. This helps her to identify and implement targets for improvement. Recruitment and induction of staff are carried out robustly.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The manager supports her team to ensure that any gaps in children's learning are identified quickly. Staff know their key children well, and can identify when support is needed. They ensure addressing any gaps in children's learning is a key focus. Staff support children well. The children are regularly observed throughout the day to ensure planning is effective. Children's learning is not disrupted to fit into routines. For instance, a child was able to continue with his activity while two other group activities were taking place. Staff support children to develop early literacy skills. This contributes to children being able to recognise letters and sounds. For example, a daily register was created by an older child to identify all her peers' names in the nursery.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have strong relationships with staff and settle into the nursery well. They feel safe in their environment. Children behave well. They respect their peers and each other's space when learning. Staff are good role models for children. They talk to children in a calm and respectful manner, which reflects the calm ambience of the nursery. Children benefit from regular opportunities to play and learn outside, which allows them to have fresh air and exercise. They are encouraged to learn how to take risks and explore in a safe, but not restricting, environment. Children learn about different cultures and religions. For example, they have recently celebrated Chinese New Year. Children show good independence skills. They help themselves to fruit throughout the day, and have the skills to prepare the fruit themselves.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who receive funding towards their education, make good progress from their starting points and develop the skills needed for the next stage in their learning and school. Children enjoy reading books in small groups, and there are many resources on offer to improve their mathematical skills. Older children are self- assured and confident learners and talk freely to staff and visitors. Children can explore and play with the resources safely and learn to socialise with others. Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress. However, staff need to be consistent when encouraging best behaviour.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440917 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10061423 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person Step By Step Montessori Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 17 June 2016 Telephone number 07717514213

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reference number

Step By Step Montessori - Mill Hill registered in 2012 and is located in the London Borough of Barnet. The setting operates each weekday from 8am to 5pm, during term time only. The provider receives funding to offer free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are six members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 7. The setting follows the Montessori educational philosophy.

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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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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