West Acre Montessori School

Inspection of West Acre Montessori School The Old Chapel, East Walton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE32 1PU

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive confidently and happily greet staff. They are very well settled and know what to do when they arrive. The ethos of the setting is to provide children with a blended mix of play and learning activities based on the Montessori philosophy. Staff have high expectations for each child. They take time to get to know children well. They plan learning experiences to help each child make good progress and to reflect their emerging interests. For instance, children create clay hedgehogs and talk about the changing seasons. Staff encourage children to share what they know about life on a farm and how the season affects sheep and crops.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave incredibly well and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They benefit from the calm and positive atmosphere that staff create. Children from an early age know what is expected and show high levels of self-control. They learn to share and take turns. Staff give children clear explanations to help them understand their feelings and how their actions may affect others.

p.2

The provision is good

Children freely choose activities, including traditional Montessori tasks, that help them to develop their knowledge and skills. They show very positive attitudes to learning. They gain the key skills required to support the next stage in their learning and to prepare them for life in modern Britain.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager is extremely well organised and values her staff team highly. She makes effective use of regular supervision meetings with staff to enthuse and inspire their practice. Staff seek targeted training to help develop their knowledge and skills. For instance, they identify and gain professional qualifications to improve how they may help children with communication and language delay. They use a range of strategies that help children to catch up with their peers. n Staff work very well in partnership with parents. From the start, they gather a wide range of information that helps them to establish what children know and can do. They share information with parents regularly, using a variety of methods to ensure all parents know precisely about their child's progress. They share ideas with parents about how they may support their ongoing learning at home. For instance, staff work with parents to provide innovative ways to help

p.2

need to do better?

children learn about letters and the sounds they represent. n Staff plan very well to help children make good progress. There is a clearly sequenced approach that supports children to build on what they know, remember what they have learned and use it in a range of situations. For instance, children hear lots of mathematical language as they play. They count the number of legs on a spider accurately and know how many more girls are

p.2

need to do better?

2 October 2019 present than boys. They use mathematical words to compare the size of sunflowers that they grow at home. n Children listen to staff and follow instructions well. Staff act as very good role models for children. They treat children and each other with the utmost respect. Children are well-mannered and welcome visitors to the setting. For instance, at lunchtime children politely provide the inspector with a plate from which to eat her lunch and a glass of milk to drink. n From the outset, staff encourage children to be independent and learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, children skilfully pour water and milk from glass jugs, carry chairs and scissors safely and put on their coats and shoes to play outside. n Children sing happily with staff. They choose the songs and perform the associated actions confidently. They show good attention skills as they listen to stories, anticipating familiar words and phrases. Staff build on children's interest

p.2

need to do better?

to read and write. Children learn the sounds that letters represent and begin to write their names. Older children read simple stories. n Staff provide children with a good range of activities and experiences that help them learn about people and communities that are different to their own. For instance, children learn about their similarities and differences. They explore customs and faiths that are different to their own, such as Diwali and Chinese New Year. n Although children have regular opportunities to play outside, staff do not provide a wide enough range of learning experiences to support and engage those children who prefer to learn outside.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff are deeply committed to safeguarding children. They attend regular and varied training and receive updates about child protection and wider safeguarding issues. They confidently fulfil their role to protect children from harm. They know what to do should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. The premises are safe and secure. The manager implements robust recruitment processes to assure the suitability of adults working with children and has good systems in place to check adults' ongoing suitability.

p.3

should:

n enhance the outdoor learning provision to support and engage those children who prefer to learn and play outside.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 254343 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10106213 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 to 3 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person West Acre Montessori School Partnership

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01760 337316 Date of previous inspection 23 June 2015

p.4

Information about this early years setting

West Acre Montessori School registered in 1993. The school employs four members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The manager and deputy manager both hold Montessori teacher qualifications. The school opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am to 3.15pm each Monday to Thursday and from 8.45am to 12.45pm on Fridays. The school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children. The school follows the Montessori ethos.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector had a tour of the premises with the manager and discussed how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n A joint observation was completed with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the setting. n A number of parents spoke to the inspector or provided written feedback and their views were taken into account.

p.5

Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

2 October 2019 regulates and inspects to 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6