Elms Montessori School & Day Nursery

Inspection of Elms Montessori School & Day Nursery 2 Elm Lane, Lower Earley, Berkshire RG6 5UF

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Some improvements have been made since the last inspection. For example, children take part in a wider range of outdoor activities. This includes outings to local animal parks and nature walks to a nearby field. However, the quality of teaching is variable. Some staff do not extend children's knowledge and skills well enough through their interactions and teaching. Nevertheless, children settle well on arrival and enjoy their time at the nursery. Staff know children as individuals well and observe and assess their development securely. However, at times, some children wander around and are not involved in purposeful play and activities. Staff do not consistently motivate and enthuse children to join in, such as during dancing activities. However, the manager and the owner do demonstrate some positive teaching skills with children.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children take part in activities happily. For instance, a group of children enjoyed making dough, learning to take turns when putting the ingredients in the bowl. They developed small physical skills when using tools with the dough, such as different-patterned rolling pins. However, some staff did not extend discussions or ask questions to support children's learning. Sometimes, good hygiene measures are not followed consistently to help children learn about taking care of themselves and to reduce the spread of infection. Children sing songs and regularly listen to stories being read, which helps to support their language skills. They are offered suitably nutritious meals, such as lentil curry and rice for lunch.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager is able to evaluate the quality of teaching accurately. She identifies the weaknesses in teaching. She is taking steps to address weaknesses in practice, including through staff's access to online training and creating a stable staff team. There are some good processes implemented to help begin to improve the quality of teaching, such as peer-on-peer observations and regular supervision meetings with staff. However, these are not sharply focused enough to quickly improve staff's teaching. n Parents have positive views about the nursery and state that their children settled well when they started. They say the staff are 'lovely'. Their views and opinions are sought by the management team and acted on to help improve the service provided. For example, parents requested outings for their children. n Some staff's teaching skills are variable and do not extend and build on children's learning well enough. At times, they do not provide good-quality

p.2

need to do better?

interactions with children to help them fully gain and develop skills for the future. However, there is some good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The manager and staff work closely with professionals and implement guidance and advice well to support children's

p.2

need to do better?

4 December 2019 needs consistently. n At times, staff do not implement good hygiene routines to minimise the spread of infection. Children were observed to frequently have runny noses that were not cleaned quickly. Staff do not teach children to learn good hygiene measures, such as covering their mouths with their hands when coughing. However, other aspects of hygiene have been reviewed and improved by the management team, such as nappy changing. Children do wash their hands regularly, such as before eating. n Children generally behave well. Although, sometimes, staff do not consistently increase children's understanding of the behaviour expectations, such as explaining to them why behaviour is not acceptable. Staff praise children regularly, which promotes their self-esteem and confidence well. n Overall, the provider has robust recruitment procedures. New staff's suitability is checked through obtaining a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and

p.2

need to do better?

references are obtained. However, the provider has not sought an overseas check for staff who have lived and worked abroad, as required. This does not have a significant impact due to the other checks the provider completes for new staff. n Children learn about their own and other people's similarities and differences. They play and interact with resources that reflect the wider world. They celebrate different festival and religious dates, such as Christmas, Diwali and Chinese New Year.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff know and understand their responsibilities to safeguard children. They know the indicators that would raise their concerns about children's welfare or other adults. Staff are knowledgeable about wider safeguarding matters, including extreme views and beliefs. They have a confident understanding of how to manage any concerns, such as reporting these to outside agencies if required. The premises is safe and secure along with being welcoming and inviting for children. Staff complete regular safety checks of the environment to promote children's safety.

p.3

Due date

4 December 2019 extend the recruitment process to fully check staff's suitability, such as completing checks for staff who have lived or worked abroad 17/01/2020

p.3

Due date

implement effective hygiene practices consistently to support children's good health 18/12/2019

p.4

Due date

continue to review and develop the supervision process to more sharply focus on staff's practice, to identify and provide coaching, mentoring and training to improve the quality of teaching. 17/01/2020

p.4

should:

n build on children's knowledge and understanding of the behaviour expectations, to help them learn more about these and what is expected of them.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY537446 Local authority Wokingham Inspection number 10101997 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 5 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Swans Day Nurseries Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01184676743 Date of previous inspection 20 March 2019

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Elms Montessori School & Day Nursery registered in 2016. The nursery is located near Reading, Berkshire. It opens each weekday from 7.30am until 6pm for 50 weeks of the year offering both term time and all year round options, closing for a week at Christmas and Easter. The nursery offers term time and all year round options. It offers care for children aged from six months to five years. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged three. There are nine members of staff, including the manager and owner. The manager holds a level 5 qualification and the owner holds a level 4 qualification. There are four staff who hold early years qualifications at level 2 or above, and one staff member is completing training to gain a recognised qualification.

p.5

Information about this inspection

Inspectors Sheena Bankier Tracy Bartholomew

p.5

Inspection activities

n The lead inspector completed a learning walk with the manager and discussed the learning intentions of resources and activities. n A joint observation of an activity led by a staff member with a group of children was evaluated by the lead inspector and the manager. n The inspectors spent time individually observing daily routines, play and activities, and tracking children's experiences. n Meetings were held with the manager and the owner to discuss how the nursery is organised and managed. A selection of documentation was reviewed, including staff's suitability checks, children's records and some policies, including the safeguarding policy. n Parents' views were gathered and taken into account through discussions with them on the day and from written surveys.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

4 December 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7