Growing Minds Montessori Childcare

Inspection of Growing Minds Montessori Childcare Oakwood Lane, Barnton, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 4HE

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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 play in a safe and stimulating 'home-from-home' environment. They behave well and follow staff's instructions. For example, children competently help to tidy away toys ready for the next activity. Children clearly understand routine and what is expected of them. Their independence is supported as they recall where items belong. This helps children to develop important skills for the future as they learn to look after the equipment and their nursery environment.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, necessary changes have been made to the drop-off and collection arrangements. Children wave goodbye to their parents at the door. They settle quickly and immediately become engaged in the many activities provided. Staff are mindful of those children who need a little extra help and encouragement. They are kind, patient and nurturing in their approach as they warmly welcome children.

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The provision is good

Children display a positive attitude to learning. They concentrate on their chosen activities and persevere in challenging tasks. For example, toddlers focus intently as they complete jigsaw puzzles. They use their trial and error skills to determine where pieces fit. Older children use catapults that they have created as part of a project on castles to launch cotton wool balls. They recall how they work and count the number of balls that they successfully launch.

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need to do better?

n Staff make detailed observations and assessments of children's individual learning. They gather information from parents when children first start to enable them to build on what children already know. Furthermore, staff work closely with other professionals to build up a holistic picture of children and their individual learning needs. However, on occasion, leaders and staff do not share information effectively enough to promote children's rapid progress. n Staff promote children's language skills well. Staff working with younger children model new words and use repetition to reinforce children's understanding. Staff working with pre-school children introduce a wealth of new vocabulary as children play. For example, children develop their imaginative skills as they play with models of canal boats. They discuss how they are going to drive and park the boat. Staff skilfully introduce words such as 'rudder', 'propeller' and

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need to do better?

'mooring'. This helps to ensure that children hear a rich variety of vocabulary and learn new terminology. n Children enjoy the variety of activities that staff provide. Staff interact positively with children as they play alongside them. However, some group sessions in the toddler room are not implemented well enough. Not all children are able to engage and focus on the learning opportunities provided. For example, story

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need to do better?

6 January 2022 times are sometimes disrupted by increasing noise levels as staff attend to other children. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language are well supported. Staff adopt different strategies to aid children's understanding. For example, staff use a traffic-light system and visual timetables to help children to understand what is happening next. This supports children to make good progress in their learning and development because they feel safe, secure and ready to learn. n Staff successfully support children to understand similarities and differences and celebrate what makes them unique. For example, children's culture and heritage are reflected in special activities. Staff use these opportunities to teach children about different backgrounds so that they develop respect, tolerance and understanding of others. This supports children to acquire essential skills for the

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need to do better?

future and prepares them well for life in modern Britain. n The manager and staff team are dedicated and passionate practitioners who put children at the heart of everything that they do. The manager monitors the nursery effectively and accurately. Staff make good use of training opportunities to further develop the knowledge and skills. This has a positive impact on outcomes for children. n Parents speak highly of the nursery. They describe how their children have made progress since attending and how much they look forward to coming to nursery. They comment on the friendly staff team and the flexible service that they offer.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a thorough understanding of child protection procedures and their responsibility to keep children safe. They attend regular training to ensure that their knowledge and skills remain up to date. Staff confidently describe the action they would take if they had concerns about the welfare of a child. Furthermore, they know how to report any concerns about the practice or conduct of a colleague. The nursery environment is clean, safe and well maintained. Staff are deployed effectively and supervise children well. Thorough recruitment arrangements are implemented to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and remain so for the duration of their employment.

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should:

n share information about children's individual learning needs in a more timely and effective manner to help accelerate their continued progress n strengthen the implementation of group activities, such as story time, to fully engage all children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY561958 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10217445 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 36 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Growing Minds Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01606872323 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Growing Minds Montessori Childcare registered in 2018. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff; five of whom hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for 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 her evaluation of the provider. n Discussions were held with parents, the manager and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n A learning walk was completed with the manager to discuss the curriculum intent and how the provision is organised. n The manager and inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity. n The inspector reviewed a variety of documents, including evidence of the suitability of staff, qualifications, first-aid certificates and policies and procedures. n The inspector observed interactions between the staff and children during activities and assessed the impact of teaching on children's learning.

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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

6 January 2022 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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