Little Gems Montessori Nursery

Little Gems Montessori Nursery The Village Hall, Trottiscliffe ME19 5EB

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Inspection date 22 May 2019 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable 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 The manager is well organised, which helps her to run the setting effectively. She regularly reviews a wide range of comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure children are kept safe. For example, detailed risk assessments are used successfully to help identify and minimise hazards to children. n Staff positively promote children's physical well-being and understanding of healthy lifestyles. For instance, they encourage children to follow appropriate handwashing routines and regularly talk to children about making healthy food choices. n Children enjoy a range of interesting activities in the garden. However, at times, children's outdoor play is interrupted to take part in adult-led activities indoors. This means children do not gain the maximum benefit from learning outdoors. n Staff help children gain a wider understanding of the world and to respect diversity. This is evident when they take part in a variety of celebrations from other countries

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This provision is good

and cultures, such as Diwali and Chinese New Year. n Parent partnerships are strong. Staff share children's development records and hold regular consultations to ensure parents are kept up to date with their child's progress. Parents speak highly of the staff team and say how supportive and approachable it is. n Occasionally, daily routines are not planned effectively to optimise children's learning. This is demonstrated when older children lose interest at story time because they are distracted by younger children getting ready for lunch.

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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 enhance arrangements for adult-led activities to minimise interruptions to children's outdoor learning experiences n review the organisation of daily routines to fully support children's engagement at group times.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the manager, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector viewed a sample of documents, including staff suitability checks, children's records and policies and procedures. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The passionate and dedicated manager is committed to providing high-quality learning experiences for children. She has robust systems in place to identify areas for improvement in the provision. For example, self-evaluation processes, which include the views of parents and children, lead to changes, such as the introduction of a parents' suggestion box. Staff are well supported through regular supervision and team meetings. A sharply focused professional development plan further builds on the already good- quality teaching skills. This positively promotes good outcomes for all children. Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a thorough and clear understanding of safeguarding and child protection. They know the indicators of possible abuse or neglect and the processes to follow if they have concerns about children's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The highly qualified staff team provides a calm, welcoming and stimulating environment for children to play and learn, indoors and outside. Staff provide a wide range of resources and plan interesting activities to enhance children's learning. For instance, children enjoy making pictures using real rose petals and leaves. Staff observe children's play and carry out thorough assessments of children's development. They work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure children with emerging concerns receive the support they need for their continued progress. Children's language and communication skills are very well supported. This is illustrated when staff introduce new words, such as 'tadpole' and 'frog spawn', as children play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff successfully use a range of ways to promote children's self-esteem and confidence. This is demonstrated when children enjoy the role of 'teacher's helper', assisting staff to lay the table for lunch. Children show high levels of independence. For instance, they change their own shoes to go outside and serve their own snacks. There is an effective key-person system in place. This helps children feel safe and secure, particularly during times of change, such as starting at the nursery. Staff successfully teach children how to keep themselves safe. For example, children enjoy learning how to cross the road safely using toy traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are happy and settled at the nursery. They are capable and confident communicators. This is illustrated when they eagerly share stories with staff about life at home. Children positively enhance their early mathematical skills. For example, they compare size as they build towers with wooden blocks. Children benefit from many opportunities to develop their physical skills. For instance, they enjoy jumping in hoops and balancing on wooden stepping stones. All children make good progress from their starting points. They gain the skills they need for their next stage in learning, such as school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY543598 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10102160 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 2 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 26 Name of registered person Little Gems Montessori Centre Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07955703256

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reference number

Little Gems Montessori Nursery registered in 2017 and is located in the village of Trottiscliffe in Kent. The nursery is open Tuesday to Friday from 8.45am to 3.30pm during term times. It employs a total of six staff. Of these, four hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 4 and there are two unqualified members of staff. The nursery provides funded early education for children age 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.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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