The Village Montessori

Inspection of The Village Montessori Kingswood Halls, Kingswood Place, London SE13 5BU

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are very happy, confident and secure. They show that they are extremely motivated, independent and curious learners and very quickly settle into their self- chosen tasks. Those who find it more difficult to separate are secure in the knowledge that their parents are very welcome to stay and play. Children's learning is superbly supported during routines. For example, children select their name cards and use electronic devices to self-register on arrival. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. They carefully handle the nursery's guinea pig and are involved in risk assessments. Children receive high levels of support to think and work things out for themselves. This helps them to successfully resolve minor disputes without adult intervention. Children who speak English as an additional language receive targeted support from staff and most rapidly acquire good English-speaking skills. Children receive superb support to develop their

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The provision is good

independence and self-care skills. For example, they learn how to handle knives safely as they help to prepare fruit for snack. Children show strong determination as they practise how to put on coats independently. They put on wetsuits on rainy days and happily roll around in mud. Children notice the patterns that their waterproof boots make as they step. They have excellent opportunities to exercise, play and learn outdoors.

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need to do better?

n Staff consistently demonstrate exceptional teaching skills. For example, when a child arrives with a cuddly owl staff show and discuss photographs of similar birds. The child goes on to create a nest for her owl, complete with worms that she has drawn on paper and has cut into worm-sized lengths with scissors. She further demonstrates her learning as she gently cradles her nest before placing it in a tree outdoors. n Staff give superb support for children to develop their communication and language skills. They frequently introduce new words and use a range of very successful strategies to support children who speak languages other than English at home. Children who speak English as an additional language make very good progress from their starting points. n Children respond very well to instructions and show that they know what is expected of them. They eagerly help others, pushing from behind and saying

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need to do better?

'you can do it' when they notice that their friends struggle to pedal on muddy ground. Children show high levels of concentration and focus as they complete their chosen tasks. This prepares them extremely well for future learning. n Staff are very effective key persons and work closely with parents to provide advice, reassurance and support. They successfully establish a two-way flow of information with parents and carers to help promote children's welfare. Staff very quickly respond to children who need emotional support and meet the

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need to do better?

28 January 2020 personal care needs of children well. n Staff skilfully implement activities that help children to learn about other cultures and communities, such as acknowledging Chinese New Year celebrations. They use props and visual aids to help children learn and retell traditional stories, understand the Chinese zodiac and introduce children to different systems of writing. n Staff use their accurate assessments of children's learning to help identify potential gaps in children's development at an early stage. Staff very promptly address emerging concerns or gaps in children's learning and development with the very close engagement and support of parents, and other professionals when needed. n The manager provides staff with very effective support to enhance their personal effectiveness and to gain accredited qualifications. However, arrangements to check that staff remain suitable for their roles are less well developed.

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need to do better?

n The manager uses her strong partnerships with external organisations and practitioners to share good practice and further develop her service. Despite this, self-evaluation is not fully effective in accurately identifying the professional development needs of all staff.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager implements procedures effectively to help keep children safe and secure. Staff complete training to help them understand the potential risks posed to children, including from exposure to extreme views. They know what action to take if concerned about a child. The manager has a secure understanding of when to liaise with other agencies to help protect children's welfare. She is alert to issues away from her setting that may have an impact on children's welfare. Staff manage risks effectively and show that they implement procedures such as dealing with children's accidents appropriately. The manager implements safer recruitment guidance.

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should:

n enhance arrangements to check that staff remain suitable for their roles n review the professional development needs of staff to further enhance self- evaluation.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY348344 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 10138102 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 48 Name of registered person The Village Montessori Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 02083 186 720 Date of previous inspection 19 April 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The Village Montessori Nursery re-registered in 2007. It is located in Lewisham in the London Borough of Lewisham. The nursery runs two sessions each weekday, from 9am to 12.15pm and 1pm to 4.15pm during term time. The setting receives nursery education funding for children aged three and four years. Four members of staff, including the manager, work with children, all of whom hold qualifications at level 4. The nursery follows the Montessori method of education.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed activities and the quality of interactions between staff and children, and assessed the impact of these on children's learning. n The manager explained to the inspector how children's learning is supported, inside and outdoors. n Discussions were held with staff, parents and children during the inspection visit. n The inspector reviewed children's records and looked at evidence relating to staff suitability and professional development.

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Inspection activities

28 January 2020 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.

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Inspection activities

28 January 2020 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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