Nurture House Montessori

Inspection of Nurture House Montessori St. Pauls Church Hall, Bentham Road, London, Kent SE28 8AS

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children of all ages settle well at the nursery and are well cared for by the staff. They follow instructions well and understand the routines of the nursery. They enjoy exploring the resources inside and outside and form close bonds with the nursery staff. Children respond well to the staff's high expectations for them to be independent and are keen to do things for themselves. For example, younger children come into the nursery and take their own shoes off, placing them in the box. Older children serve themselves snack, using small tongs to pick up the fruit and breadsticks. Staff encourage and support all children to tidy away toys once they have finished using them, to show respect for the resources in the nursery. Children behave well in the nursery. They learn to share and take turns, and to show respect for each other. They try to solve small conflicts by talking to each other and explaining why they are upset. Children show a positive attitude to

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The provision is good

learning and are excited by new words. For example, they are learning about sheep. The children learn the words 'ewe, ram' and 'lamb' and use model sheep to identify each one. They also describe the sheep's colour, count their legs and discuss the sheep's diet and habitat. Older children use balance scales to weigh and compare fruit and vegetables, using language, such as 'heavier' and 'lighter'. Outside, the children enjoy racing each other down the slide, riding bikes along the path and crawling through a tyre.

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need to do better?

n The manager places a strong focus on improving children's communication and language skills. Younger children enjoy pointing at pictures of animals, naming each animal and making the animal noises. They practise blowing up imaginary balloons and popping them to build the muscles in their mouths. Older children have conversations at mealtimes with staff as well as with other children. This helps to improve their social skills as well as their ability to communicate. n The provider uses additional funding to support children's individual needs, in particular with improving communication and language skills. For example, staff have increased the resources to extend the children's role play. Children use these resources to act out stories, talking to each other while they do so. Staff have also received training on different ways to communicate with children who are not yet able to express themselves using words. Staff identify and support

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need to do better?

children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They work with the children and their families to ensure they receive any extra support they need. n The manager and staff develop strong relationships with families to support the children at home as well as at the nursery. Staff keep parents and carers updated about their child's progress during handover meetings. n Staff use the children's interests to plan activities. They introduced equipment with cogs after younger children enjoyed spinning and turning toys around. The

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need to do better?

3 November 2021 children were watching with excitement as one cog turned the others. However, although the staff know what they want the children to learn, at times, the activities do not meet the needs of the children. Staff provided an activity for the younger children using the alphabet, which was too challenging. The children did not understand what staff expected of them so they did not engage in the activity. n Staff plan activities to improve the children's physical development. This includes a plank ramp which is balanced across a tyre in the outdoor area. However, there are fewer opportunities for children to use their larger muscles, for example by running and climbing. n The manager supports staff well in their professional development. She aims to improve outcomes for all children, and involves staff and families in this drive for improvement. The manager ensures that mandatory training, such as

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need to do better?

safeguarding and paediatric first-aid, is maintained. Staff are also encouraged to complete their childcare qualifications while working at the setting. n The manager has adapted children's routines to promote a safe environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, parents no longer enter the setting when dropping off or collecting their children. n Parents speak highly of the nursery and say that they feel their children are safe and well cared for. They also report that the staff regularly support them with their children's next steps, for instance when their children are ready to start using the toilet.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff work hard to minimise risks and ensure the environment is safe and secure for children. The manager ensures that all staff working at the setting are suitable to do so. As part of their induction, staff receive training on how to keep children safe and this is updated regularly. Staff know how to recognise the signs that a child's welfare may be at risk, including from neglect and other types of abuse. As a result of regular training, staff show a solid understanding of the process to follow if they are concerned about a child and work well as a team to keep children safe.

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should:

n consider ways to strengthen and develop activities to make them appropriate for the age and stage of development of the children n provide more opportunities for children to improve their physical development, in particular with their large-muscle movements.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY562410 Local authority Greenwich Inspection number 10191090 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Nurture House Montessori Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07506771748 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Nurture House Montessori registered in 2018. It operates from St Paul's church hall in Thamesmead, in the London Borough of Greenwich. The nursery is open from 8am to 6pm, each weekday, all year round. The nursery employs eight members of staff as well as a manager. Of these, six hold relevant childcare qualifications between level 2 and level 4. The nursery provides funded early education to children aged two, three and four years and receives early years pupil premium.

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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 During a tour, the manager spoke about how the early years provision is organised and how she plans the curriculum and experiences for children, both inside and outside. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation to review the quality of education and the impact this has on children's learning. n Parents spoke to the inspector about their experiences of care, education and support at the nursery. n The inspector spoke to the children and staff throughout the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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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

3 November 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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