Frinton Montessori

Inspection of Frinton Montessori The Limes, Station Approach, Frinton On Sea CO13 9JT

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children enter Frinton Montessori confidently with big smiles on their faces. They are greeted by an equally big smile from the nursery manager, who takes time to welcome each child and their parents individually. Children become immediately engaged and involved in play of their choice. They greet their friends with affection and begin their learning journey enthusiastically. Children are extremely articulate and hold purposeful conversations with the adults and their friends. A group of excited adventurers draw a map of the garden for the rest of their friends to follow to find the 'dinosaurs'. Children squeal with delight and exclaim their awe at the size of an imagined triceratops.

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The provision is outstanding

Children behave exceptionally well. They show high levels of respect for each other and know the rules and boundaries well. Children take great pride in playing an active part in the daily routines. They enthusiastically help to lay the tables for snack and main meals with tablecloths, glasses and cutlery, taking time to set them correctly. Children make exceptionally good progress from their starting points. Staff demonstrate extensive knowledge of every child and have high expectations for their successful learning. They expertly build on children's current knowledge at a pace that is right for each child.

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need to do better?

n Leadership is exemplary. The co-owners, who are also the managers, work extremely well together. Staff are given excellent opportunities to enhance and develop their knowledge and expertise. They are encouraged to take up all available training. Leaders share their Montessori knowledge with those who have different childcare or teaching backgrounds. n Partnerships with parents are exceptionally good. All parents describe how they appreciate the outstanding attention to detail the managers and staff have in all aspects of the provision. Many parents comment on the superb support they and their children received from the managers and staff during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic national lockdowns. n Staff superbly extend children's knowledge as they notice their immediate interests and thoroughly broaden and deepen children's understanding. For example, they use the internet to look up an animal the children are describing.

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need to do better?

Once they find it, they discuss the facts about the animal. Children ask clear and meaningful questions about its habitat and whether it lives in this country. Staff expertly help them to identify the animal's country of origin and show them how far it is from England on a globe. n Staff and managers place extremely high emphasis on children's well-being. They use 'colour monsters' to help children to articulate how they are feeling. Children understand the concept. They demonstrate empathy when another

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need to do better?

5 July 2021 child hurts themselves, by bringing them the blue colour monster because they are sad. n Children regularly participate in mindfulness activities. Staff deliver a relaxing and purposeful mindfulness session each day, where children sit together and follow simple actions to help them to feel calm. The session ends with gentle giggling as they watch their 'belly friend', who has been placed on their tummy, rise and fall as they breath in and out. n Staff use their expert knowledge of the children to determine the best use for additional funding. They insightfully purchase resources that children use to reach the full potential of their social skills. Managers help parents to seek the support that is available to them from other services for the full benefit of their children. n Children have excellent opportunities to learn about other people's cultures and traditions. Their heritage languages are respected. Children are encouraged to

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need to do better?

record a voice message for relatives living in other countries on special days, such as St Patrick's Day. n Managers supported children and families effectively when they were unable to attend the setting during the national lockdowns. They provided individual learning bags for parents to collect from the front of the setting. These contained learning activities and ideas to build on the child's known knowledge. Parents say that a highlight was the Easter bonnet resources provided to the children at Easter, followed by a virtual Easter bonnet parade.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff demonstrate exceptionally strong safeguarding knowledge. They regularly update their understanding of safeguarding, for example, through training, quizzes and research. All staff demonstrate extensive knowledge of wider safeguarding issues. They have a very strong understanding of how to recognise the signs of those displaying extremist views. Managers have robust recruitment procedures in place that help them to ensure that new staff are suitable. These new staff receive a robust induction to help them understand their responsibilities to protect children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY551384 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10174109 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 17 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Frinton Montessori Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01255 678716 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Frinton Montessori registered in 2017. The setting employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including three who hold qualified teacher status. The setting opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 8.30am to 4pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Parents provided the inspector with oral and written feedback.

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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

5 July 2021 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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