The Norwich Montessori School Ltd

Inspection of The Norwich Montessori School Ltd The Colney Parish Room, Old Watton Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TW

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children develop strong bonds with staff, who are approachable and reassuring. Staff take time to get to know the children, finding out about their interests and individual needs. Children starting at nursery for the first time receive close attention and support. This helps them to settle swiftly, as they get to know the rhythm and routine of the day, starting their journey to be independent.

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The provision is good

The curriculum is ambitious. All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, benefit from a language-rich environment, where they practise speaking skills. Teaching methods are used effectively, such as Montessori. Children show high levels of concentration as they choose and learn to master a wide range of challenging activities. Older children show they are independent as they take an active part in the daily routines. They put their shoes on the correct feet and wash, dry and put away their cups after snack. Staff skilfully model learning with younger children, demonstrating and calmly explaining how to use resources and where to put them away once they have finished.

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The provision is good

Children know and understand how to behave because staff teach them to be considerate with each other and their environment. They empathise with each other's feelings as they offer a cuddle and say, 'I'm sorry', when they mistakenly run into each other. Staff model behaviour very well, taking time to explain expectations. However, this is approach is not consistently followed when supporting very new children to regulate their behaviour.

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need to do better?

n Staff create a rich, orderly and accessible indoor and outdoor learning environment. Staff swiftly respond to children's emerging interests as they complete a wild animal puzzle. They use high-quality conversations, posing questions and giving children time to think. Children explore the differences and similarities between Indian and African elephants, they talk about the characteristics of orangutans with their agile arms and consider the height of the giraffe. Staff skilfully extend children's learning, referring to factual books and a picture atlas, helping them to research which continent the different animals originate from. n Children play harmoniously as they collect and mix the leaves, seeds and soil to make their 'cupcakes' in the mud kitchen. They examine bees that are buzzing in the area, knowing not to antagonise them, as they can sting. Other children explore the giant sunflower heads, carefully picking out the sunflower seeds,

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need to do better?

examining shape and texture. Staff extend learning, explaining that harvesting seeds now means that they can plant them in the spring. Staff introduce simple mathematical concepts and mathematical language, comparing how many seeds

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need to do better?

21 September 2021 children have altogether and seeing who has 'more and less than'. They help children to count correctly in sequence, posing questions as to which number comes next. n Activities are skilfully adapted to help all children to achieve, while still providing challenge. Younger children learn how to handle paintbrushes as they paint on their leaf and the paper. Older children learn how to mix paint, referring to a colour palette, to achieve the correct shade of green for their leaf painting. n Children find out about their own community when they visit sheep in the adjacent field and take trips to the library, fostering a love of books. They make visits to the museum, mosque and synagogue as well as to the local church. They gain an insight into other cultures and the festivals that their friends celebrate, when parents visit to share experiences. Extra-curricular activities, such as weekly science, drama and yoga sessions, offer children enhanced

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need to do better?

opportunities to find out about the world around them, be creative and learn to look after their own bodies. n There is a positive attitude towards improvement. The nursery is working towards a sustainable citizenship award, creating a more sustainable environment for the children. New staff are appropriately inducted. All staff receive effective supervision, with some attending additional training. While some staff demonstrate exemplary teaching skills, this is not yet consistently embedded throughout the nursery. n Parents, several of whom travel distances to attend this nursery, are fully involved in their children's learning. Parents are very complimentary about the service on offer. They recognise the commitment of the nursery during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. They particularly appreciate the support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to achieve their full potential.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager has reviewed and improved safeguarding arrangements within the nursery. Comprehensive policies and procedures are in place and information is accessible. Those who are designated to lead on safeguarding matters have a secure knowledge and understanding of their role. All staff complete mandatory training. Staff have a secure knowledge of safeguarding. They are confident in identifying possible signs of abuse or neglect. They know how to report concerns about children's welfare or inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff, at the earliest opportunity. Robust recruitment and selection procedures are followed when appointing staff.

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should:

21 September 2021 n support all staff to gain a firmer understanding of the curriculum and how to deliver it in practice, in order to take the quality of teaching throughout the nursery to the highest level n equip all staff with the knowledge and understanding of how to effectively support children, including those who are new to the nursery or children with SEND, when they struggle to regulate their behaviour.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY366985 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10113033 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person The Norwich Montessori School Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01603 452 522 Date of previous inspection 18 June 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The Norwich Montessori School Ltd registered in 2007. It is located in Colney, Norwich. It employs five members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications between level 4 and level 6. Most also hold additional Montessori teaching diplomas. The nursery opens during term time only. Sessions are from between 8.15am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. The nursery operates within the ethos of Montessori teaching.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken this into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they intend for the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outside and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector talked to staff and the children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n A meeting was held between the inspector and manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of suitability of staff. n The inspector spoke with a sample of parents and took account of their views.

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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

21 September 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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