Halfmoon Montessori Nursery

Inspection of Halfmoon Montessori Nursery Methodist Church Hall, 155 Half Moon Lane, London SE24 9HU

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good 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 show extremely positive attitudes towards learning and are happy, safe and secure. Children of all ages show high levels of interest, independence and engagement in activities and behave extremely well. Staff have high expectations for children. They know individual children and families extremely well, which enables them to nurture their personal development and unique potential. Younger children delight in singing phonics songs and exploring musical instruments, which supports their language development and early literacy skills effectively. They also enjoy experimenting with play dough and junk modelling, which supports their imagination and creativity. Younger children receive good levels of support to extend and develop their learning, and staff are very effective at boosting their confidence and self-esteem. This supports them to develop enthusiasm and eagerness to try new things. Older children show excellent knowledge and their

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The provision is good

learning is challenged exceptionally well. This is evident as they talk about the solar system, planet earth and volcanoes. They enjoy participating in experiments to make a volcano erupt and use language such as 'volcanic rock', 'magma' and 'larva'. All children have frequent opportunities to learn outdoors. For instance, some enjoy participating in tennis lessons with a trained coach. They also play with a range of bikes and ride-on toys, which provides good opportunities to develop their physical skills.

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need to do better?

n Staff are very positive role models and have highly respectful relationships with children. They listen well to children's ideas and suggestions, and frequently give praise and encouragement. This means that children are motivated and show a love of learning. n Staff plan and deliver an ambitious and rich curriculum that helps children to develop new knowledge and skills. Children have very good awareness of their local community and the wider world. Overall, the quality of teaching is consistently good and some is of an extremely high level. n There are effective arrangements in place to help new children settle in with ease. This is apparent when staff seek detailed information from parents and have an extremely child-led approach right from the start. This helps children to feel secure and comfortable. Children show high levels of emotional security. n Staff are knowledgeable about how children learn and develop. They regularly

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need to do better?

plan new and appropriate targets and children evidently make very good progress in their learning. n Children have frequent and meaningful opportunities to learn about what makes them unique. Staff frequently teach them about different backgrounds and cultures. For instance, children make Chinese dragons and participate in role play in a Chinese restaurant when celebrating Chinese New Year.

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need to do better?

27 February 2020 n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive excellent levels of support. For example, staff work closely with external professionals and regularly meet to discuss different strategies, targets and children's progress. n The manager closely monitors the quality of teaching and the overall experiences for children. This is apparent when she frequently meets with staff to continue to develop and enhance their teaching and personal performance even further. n Staff show good commitment to their ongoing professional development. For instance, staff engage in training to support children's speech and language development and to support their behaviour in a positive and consistent way. As a result, children benefit from a rich language environment, understand what is expected of them and behave extremely well. n Children are encouraged to adopt healthy and active lifestyles. This is evident

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need to do better?

when they engage in frequent forest school sessions and have daily opportunities to play outdoors. Staff also talk to children about the importance of eating healthy foods and having a balanced diet. n Parents express high levels of appreciation and satisfaction. They state that their children enjoy attending and are making very good progress. They also value the dedication, consistency and nurturing nature of the staff. To build on these relationships even further, the manager should consider seeking parents' views more reguarly to inform their self-evaluation and how they can strive to make future improvements, to enhance outcomes for children even further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff complete in-depth safeguarding training to keep their knowledge of child protection issues up to date. Staff can confidently identify and discuss possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They are also aware of wider safeguarding concerns and who to contact to gain additional support. Recruitment arrangements, vetting procedures and ongoing suitability checks are thorough and help to ensure that staff are suitable for their roles. The premises are secure and staff carry out daily checks to help to minimise any accidents and to ensure they are suitable.

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should:

n strengthen arrangements to gain parents' views, to inform the evaluation of the nursery and to make future improvements that enhance children's experiences further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY251250 Local authority Southwark Inspection number 10138214 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person Meehan, Aisling Marion

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reference number

Telephone number 020 73265300 Date of previous inspection 12 May 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Halfmoon Montessori Nursery is privately owned and registered in 1993. The setting follows the Maria Montessori ethos of education. It operates from 8.35am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. There are nine members of staff. Of these, one staff member holds a qualification at level 7, two hold level 6, two hold level 4, three hold level 3 and one holds level 2. The setting provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n A learning walk was completed by the inspector with the manager. During this, the intentions for the quality of education were discussed. n The inspector carried out general observations across all age groups both indoors and outdoors, and assessed the quality of teaching. n The manager and the inspector observed and evaluated an observation of teaching together. n A number of parents were spoken to and their views were considered as part of the inspection. n The inspector looked at a range of documentation, such as staff qualification certificates and suitability information.

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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.

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Inspection activities

27 February 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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