Wood Street Montessori

Inspection of Wood Street Montessori Ewen Church Hall, Wood Street, BARNET, Hertfordshire EN5 4BW

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are very happy and show that they are extremely motivated, independent and curious learners. They settle quickly upon arrival to the nursery and develop strong friendships with each other. They play harmoniously together. Children form exceptionally positive bonds with the caring staff and engage busily in a wide range of stimulating and enjoyable experiences. For instance, children skilfully used a wide selection of tools and equipment, such as scissors and glue spreaders, to make colourful costumes for their paper dolls. Staff praised children for their excellent efforts as they discussed their creations. Children's behaviour across the nursery is exemplary. They share, take turns and are extremely respectful of others. All staff give the highest priority to help children increase their vocabulary. They listen attentively to children and give them time to think and express themselves. For example, children actively contributed and used their imagination

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The provision is outstanding

and own ideas during circle and story time. Children who speak English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive targeted support from staff and make rapid progress. Staff are highly effective in supporting children's love of music, singing and exploring the wider world. For example, children welcome weekly visits from outside professionals to give them French lessons and to teach music. They respond with enjoyment and demonstrate excellent attitudes to learning.

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need to do better?

n The highly qualified and experienced manager and staff team successfully fulfil the highest of expectations for all children. They use extremely effective strategies to combine the Montessori philosophy of teaching with learning through play. Key persons use relevant information from parents to assess what their children know, can do and need to learn next. They plan meticulously for each child and track their individual progress to help close gaps in their learning. All children make rapid and sustained progress in relation to their individual starting points. n Staff provide an extremely broad range of activities and resources so that children can explore and investigate their world. For example, children have access to discovery tables where they learn to use a magnifying glass to look at real-life objects and creatures such as plants and bugs. They learn to recycle the different materials and demonstrate a strong understanding of how to look after

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need to do better?

their planet. n Children show very high levels of motivation and concentration. They develop exceptional skills needed for their future learning and in readiness for school. For instance, children use tape measures to identify the different sizes of rods and bricks. Staff extend children's problem-solving skills further by encouraging them to count and calculate. Children have a strong knowledge of letters and sounds,

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need to do better?

11 March 2020 and many can write their own name. n Staff promote children's independence highly effectively and this is deeply embedded by all staff in the nursery. For example, a daily helper is chosen to help the staff set out the cutlery and plates and help their younger friends tidy up after play. Children learn very good self-care skills around personal hygiene, and have an exceptionally good understanding of healthy lifestyles, such as frequent exercise and outdoor play. n Children are exceptionally well behaved. Staff support them to develop feelings of empathy and an understanding of their emotional intelligence through acts of kindness. They give children lots of praise and encouragement during activities, which supports their confidence and self-esteem. n The manager is highly reflective and inspirational. For example, since the previous inspection, she has improved the outdoor area further to provide an

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need to do better?

even greater range of activities to help maintain the highest standards for all children. The manager implements highly effective plans to further enhance staff's professional development and they have regular meetings and training to maximise children's learning potential. n Parent partnerships are very strong. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to support children who need extra help, are in receipt of funded early education or who speak English as an additional language. For example, staff provide good home-learning opportunities for children and parents. This positive support means any possible gaps in children's development are closing quickly. Parents are highly complimentary, and comment that they feel extremely included in their children's development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff are extremely vigilant and implement highly effective procedures to help keep children safe and secure. All 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 undertakes robust background checks on all staff as part of the recruitment process to ensure staff are suitable for their roles and that they understand their responsibilities. Staff carry out rigorous risk assessments in the setting and teach children exceptionally well how to keep themselves safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 147650 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10128393 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 24 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Errichiello, Audrey Ann

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reference number

Telephone number 020 8449 3968 or 07931 532095 Date of previous inspection 29 June 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Wood Street Montessori registered in 1999 and is located in the London Borough of Barnet. The nursery is open from 9.30am to 12.30pm every weekday, and additionally on Monday and Wednesday from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, during term time only. There are eight members of staff, including the manager. The majority of staff are trained in the Montessori approach and hold relevant early years qualifications. Four staff members hold a level 4 qualification in early years, and three hold level 2 or above. The nursery offers funded education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk with the manager, observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector talked to the manager, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She also spoke to parents to gain their feedback. n The inspector sampled relevant documentation, including children's records and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector completed an evaluation of an activity with the manager.

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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

11 March 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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