Fountain Montessori Nursery And Pre-School - St Albans

Inspection of Fountain Montessori Nursery And Pre-School - St Albans 77 Holywell Hill, St. Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 1HF

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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 are extremely happy, safe and secure in this warm and welcoming nursery. They cheerfully enter the nursery and settle quickly, eager for their day to begin. Children are developing firm attachments with staff, who are patient, kind and caring in their approach.

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The provision is good

Children are very well behaved. They know the routines and what is expected of them. Children are kind and considerate to others. Staff have very high expectations for their behaviour. Children are praised for their efforts, which gives them a sense of achievement and builds their self-esteem.

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The provision is good

Children's independence, personal care and social skills are developed from a young age. They confidently hang up their coats and bags when they arrive, and capably use the self-registration system in the pre-school room. Young children learn their handwashing routines. They choose their drink of milk or water and are supported to use cutlery and serve themselves lunch. Older children enjoy a sociable mealtime. There is plenty of chatter with their friends and staff as they talk about a variety of topics.

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need to do better?

n Managers and staff provide and develop a broad and balanced curriculum that follows children's interests and considers their next steps in learning. A varied range of experiences build on what children know and can do, developing skills for their move to school. Children become motivated learners as they enjoy their self-chosen activities. Staff skilfully encourage them as they play, supporting children's concentration and full involvement. n Children have wonderful opportunities to learn about other cultures and countries. Older children take part in projects and research topics. For example, they recently completed a detailed project about a woman in Ghana who provided support for other women to set up small businesses. Through their research, children found out how the woman supported others and what had been achieved. n Children learn about healthy eating and which foods provide their bodies with

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need to do better?

carbohydrates and protein. For example, at lunchtime, staff ask older children which foods relate to each group and why these are good for them. Children knowledgeably talk about foods that give them strength and energy, and how these help them to be active. n Children learn to use mathematical language as they enjoy their activities. They recognise and describe the different shapes and sizes of objects they enthusiastically hunt for and find hidden in the shredded paper. n Children of all ages demonstrate a love of literacy. Staff read to children with

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need to do better?

17 February 2022 enthusiasm and ask questions about what might happen next. A library book system is in place to enable children to take a book home to share with their family. This further supports children's early literacy skills. n Staff actively promote children's communication and language skills. They provide a running commentary as children play, which helps to give meaning to what they are doing. Furthermore, staff use descriptive language and repetition to reinforce children's understanding. For example, during a mark-making activity, children identify the different marks they make with their cars, such as zig-zags, 'wiggly' lines and circles. They talk about the straight and curvy lines made as they change the route of their vehicle. n Staff build strong relationships with parents and other professionals. Parents speak very highly about the service and communication they receive from the nursery staff. They appreciate the detailed information shared with them about

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need to do better?

their child's learning and development, including what they are working on next. Parents comment that they are extremely pleased with the progress their child makes as a result of attending the nursery. n Staff complete a comprehensive induction and probationary period when they join the nursery. They are able to access online training and are encouraged to reflect on their practice. Although there is a system for supervision of staff in place, some staff are not clear exactly what this is and do not know when this occurs. However, staff comment that managers are very approachable and they would not hesitate to speak to them about any issues they may have.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The management and staff team demonstrate a very secure understanding of the procedures to follow in order to keep children safe from harm. They confidently describe the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. Staff regularly update and refresh their knowledge and understanding about safeguarding, including wider issues, such as extreme beliefs. They are clear about the action to take if they have a concern about a child's welfare.

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should:

n review arrangements in place for the supervision of staff, so that all staff clearly understand how and when this occurs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2546935 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10225426 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 57 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person Fountain Montessori Pre-School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01727 855935 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Fountain Montessori Nursery And Pre-School - St Albans registered in 2019 and is situated in St Albans, Hertfordshire. It operates from 7.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday throughout the year. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 15 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery 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 joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. 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 inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager, and together they discussed the effectiveness of teaching. n The inspector held a meeting with the director and the manager. This included a review of relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff

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Inspection activities

working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to several 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

17 February 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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