The Ark Montessori Nursery

Inspection of The Ark Montessori Nursery 37 County Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 8HN

p.1

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

The learning and development experiences for children are poor, particularly for the youngest children and those with additional needs. Adults do not consider children's individual needs or stage of development when planning activities or group circle times. For example, children are expected to sit for long periods and they lose interest and become disruptive. The setting does not offer a broad and balanced curriculum. The manager and staff do not have high expectations of children's learning. This means that children's experiences are limited. For instance, staff emphasise literacy and mathematics activities and provide little opportunity to support children's personal, social and emotional development. Children receive few opportunities to share their ideas or make their own choices because adult-led activities are very structured and adult voices are dominant. This has an impact on children's ability to develop their communication and language skills. Staff do not

p.2

The provision is inadequate

support children's critical thinking and problem-solving skills effectively. For example, when children were unable to roll balls down some guttering because they were too big, staff took the balls from the children, saying they were 'too big', and gave them smaller ones.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite this, children seem happy and settled. They form good relationships with the staff, who are kind and caring and offer them praise. Children generally behave well. However, there are times when they show challenging behaviour and staff do not support their understanding of this. As a result, children do not learn how to adapt their own behaviour.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leadership and management are weak. The manager focuses on the presentation of the learning environment and activities over how the curriculum can build on what children already know and can do. As a result, the curriculum does not meet the individual needs of the range of children who attend. n The youngest children and those with additional needs do not make as much progress as they could. All ages of children sit together at circle times, and most children find the learning too difficult. As a result, they become bored and distracted and the sessions are often disrupted. Members of staff have identified that these sessions need to change, but the manager has not acted on this. In addition, children with additional needs are sometimes asked lots of questions that they do not understand how to answer. During role play they were asked, 'Where are you off to? Does this hat fit me? Is this a bus? Is it a train? What is

p.2

need to do better?

it?' in quick succession. n The quality of teaching is poor. Although observations of practice are used for staff development, the manager does not demonstrate a good enough awareness of effective teaching methods to support staff's improvement. As a

p.2

need to do better?

15 October 2021 result, interactions between children and staff are overly adult driven and children do not have the opportunity to express their ideas or further develop their learning. n Children are not supported to develop their language or vocabulary well. There are many occasions when staff do not take children's ideas or interests into consideration. For example, children at the writing table are directed by staff as to what they can draw. n Children are not supported to manage their own behaviour and learn how to keep themselves safe. This is because adults are not always consistent about the setting's expectations and the reasons why. For instance, when children run to the toilets, staff ask them to walk. However, when they run back from the toilets, staff do not reinforce their expectations of children's behaviour. n Children are not encouraged to develop high levels of curiosity when learning or

p.2

need to do better?

to develop their creative or critical thinking skills. This limits the extent of children's learning and the progress they make. For example, staff observe children experimenting in the water tray with fish and different-sized containers. They ask children questions about what they are doing. However, when children do not respond, staff walk away with no further interaction. n Children do not have sufficient opportunities to develop their independence skills because they are often restricted by adults. Children's aprons for water play are put on for them. As a result, children are not supported to become more independent in their self-help skills and get ready for the next stage of development. n There are positive relationships between parents and staff. Parents are enthusiastic about the support and care their children receive from the nursery and say that communication with the nursery is good. For example, parents

p.3

need to do better?

receive daily updates about their children's learning.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager has robust procedures in place and understands her role in safeguarding. She has secure recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff who work with the children are suitable to do so. Staff undertake safeguarding training and have a good understanding of how to protect the children in their care. For instance, they know to take any concerns they have to the safeguarding lead. The setting is risk assessed daily to provide children with a safe and secure environment.

p.3

Due date

15 October 2021 ensure that children have access to a broad and balanced curriculum that gives them the knowledge and skills they need to move on to the next stage of their development 15/11/2021

p.3

Due date

improve staff's knowledge of how to support the learning needs of the youngest children and those who have additional needs in the three prime areas 15/11/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure children are supported to develop their creative and critical thinking skills 15/11/2021

p.4

Due date

implement systems to support children to develop the skills needed to regulate their behaviour independently 15/11/2021

p.4

Due date

improve professional development opportunities so that staff have a clear knowledge and understanding of how to support children in their learning. 15/11/2021

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY102531 Local authority Croydon Inspection number 10209389 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person Neotrace Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 0208 240 0076 Date of previous inspection 23 September 2016

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The Ark Montessori Nursery registered in 2001. It is situated in the London Borough of Croydon. The nursery is open from 9am until 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions run from 9am to midday and from midday to 3pm, or children can stay all day. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery supports children who are learning English as an additional language. There are seven staff members, all of whom have relevant childcare qualifications.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 the evaluation of the provider. n Parents spoke to the inspector and shared their views about the setting. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together. n The inspector observed staff's activities and their interactions with the children during play. n The inspector had conversations with staff. n The manager and the inspector had a meeting to discuss the leadership and management of the setting. n Documents that were relevant to the inspection were reviewed by the inspector.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

15 October 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7