Mace Montessori Nursery

Inspection of Mace Montessori Nursery The Home Counties House Property Co Ltd, Gloucester House, 150 Woodside Lane, LONDON N12 8TP

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the nursery and show very positive attitudes to their learning. They are highly motivated and engaged in the exciting activities on offer. Staff have high expectations for all children. They are effective in encouraging children of all ages and abilities to explore and join in. Children show high levels of confidence and are eager to learn and try new experiences from an early age. Children of all ages enjoy a wealth of opportunities to explore their senses. Babies thoroughly enjoy smelling the different scents on the 'smelly socks'. Older children persevere as they identify different smells and tastes. Children have a real sense of belonging in the nursery and show that they feel at home and are secure. Children engage superbly with each other and are respectful of others. They form strong relationships with staff and their friends and show great affection for each other. For example, babies smile and hug their friends.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff are excellent role models and help children to learn right from wrong. Children clearly understand what is expected of them. They play cooperatively, share resources and wait for their turn. Younger and older children frequently spend time together. Older children come to talk to the younger children. This helps to develop social skills and enables children to feel part of the whole nursery. However, occasionally, staff do not organise activities to maximise children's learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n The leadership team has worked very effectively with staff to raise the quality of the provision. Leaders have reflected on and made improvements to all areas of the nursery provision. For example, they have completed a thorough risk assessment of the premises and adjusted the layout of the nursery. Leaders closely monitor the movement of children between areas within the nursery, to ensure they remain safe. Staff ratios are met and staff are deployed effectively across the nursery, improving supervision and support for children. n Staff share strong relationships with parents. Parents' views are valued. They speak highly of the nursery and are very complimentary of staff and the support their children receive. Staff regularly share information, for example regarding children's progress and interests. Parents are encouraged to borrow books from the nursery library to read to children, and an online resource is shared with

p.2

need to do better?

parents to help support and extend children's learning at home. n Staff know children's needs well and regularly monitor their progress. Staff provide high-quality education for children. The ambitious and well-designed curriculum provides exciting activities which encourage children to learn. Leaders and staff build strong links with other relevant agencies and work closely together to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, identifying and narrowing any gaps in their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

12 November 2019 n Leaders provide ongoing support for staff and the manager, who is new in her role. Staff receive regular supervision and feedback on their practice, to help make ongoing improvements. Staff comment on how much they enjoy working at the nursery. They have ongoing training opportunities. Recent training has helped encourage staff to develop activity folders, which they use to support them in identifying the impact of planned activities on children's learning, improving outcomes for children. Leaders make sure staff have time to talk to parents and to complete their records. n Children have good opportunities to learn about some of the benefits of healthy lifestyles. They enjoy nutritious foods which are freshly prepared on the premises. Children play with real food and pretend to make stews with vegetables. They look at books and are able to identify healthy vegetables. Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise in the nursery

p.2

need to do better?

garden. They make trips to the park and enjoy action songs, dance and yoga sessions. n Staff support children's communication and language skills. For example, they introduce new vocabulary during an ice painting activity. They talk about ice being 'cold, slippery and wet'. Staff encourage babies and young children to repeat the names of animals during play. Overall, children who speak English as an additional language are supported well. Staff share their language skills, for example they sing songs in French. However, occasionally, staff do not lead group activities as effectively as possible, to support children's learning to the highest level.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe. They regularly complete child protection training. They know how to recognise possible signs of abuse and understand the steps to take if they have concerns about a child's welfare. Staff help children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, children learn how to use and carry scissors safely. Leaders have robust recruitment and supervision procedures to ensure the ongoing suitability of staff.

p.3

should:

n review the organisation of group times to enhance learning opportunities to the highest level.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY435239 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10087235 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 1 to 4 Total number of places 90 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Busy Bees Nurseries Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 02084461969 Date of previous inspection 30 November 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Mace Montessori Nursery registered in 2011. It is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, throughout the year. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education to children aged three and four years. The provider employs 14 staff, including the manager. Of these, 12 hold early years qualifications at level 2 and above, and one holds level 7. Two members of staff hold qualified teacher status.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector and the manager completed a 'learning walk' across all areas of the nursery to explore how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector completed joint observations with the managers. n The inspection was conducted following Ofsted's risk assessment process. n The inspector reviewed documentation, including children's records and documents that confirmed staff suitability. n The inspector took account of parents' verbal and written feedback.

p.4

Inspection activities

12 November 2019 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.4

Inspection activities

12 November 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