Arborescence Montessori

Inspection of Arborescence Montessori Scout Activity Centre, Well End Road, Well End, Borehamwood WD6 5PR

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children are incredibly happy and secure in this thoroughly stimulating pre-school. They are extremely excited to arrive and are warmly greeted by the manager and their key member of staff. The inspirational manager and her dedicated team provide outstanding learning opportunities throughout the pre-school. They react swiftly to identify children's emerging interests. Staff engage incredibly well with children to establish exciting activities based on these interests. For instance, children have been absorbed in exploring worms during their forest school activities. With the support of staff, they have developed a worm habitat. This allows children to deepen their knowledge and learning of worms.

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The provision is outstanding

Children demonstrate exceptionally high levels of curiosity in their play. Staff encourage this with their high-quality interactions in all activities. Children have been exploring various fruits since reading 'Handa's Surprise'. They investigate their features, colours, and taste. Children are engrossed by the various seeds they find. Staff encourage children to place them in damp cotton wool and monitor how they change and grow.

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The provision is outstanding

Children of all ages are incredibly independent. Toddlers in the infant room, pump water into bowls and skilfully use soap and flannels to wash and dry their hands. Staff encourage children's cooperative skills exceptionally well during the wonderfully sociable snack time. Children of all ages prepare fruit and pour drinks for themselves and their friends. They then work together to wash and dry up the pottery cups and plates.

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need to do better?

n The manager and her team are passionate about the high-quality learning opportunities they provide for children. They have an incredibly clear understanding of the Montessori approach and how it supports children's learning across the early years foundation stage (EYFS). They complete rigorous assessments against both the Montessori curriculum and the EYFS. From this, they identify areas for development and plan exciting activities to support children's learning. n Staff have superb knowledge of children's abilities across the pre-school. They routinely measure the impact of their teaching on children's learning. For example, children recently explored the characteristics of various unusual fruits. They are currently using pictures of these fruits to recall their textures and tastes. This supports children in making excellent progress in their learning. n Staff extend children's learning exceptionally well in all activities. Children

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need to do better?

examine chickpeas through the magnifying pots. They discuss their features and what foods they are used in. Children then shake the pots, delighting in the

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need to do better?

4 March 2022 noise they make. Staff are swift to initiate conversations about sounds. They encourage children to experiment with other objects, including feathers, and compare the volume of the noise they make. n Children's communication skills are superbly supported in this language-rich environment. Staff engage children in high-quality discussions during several song, story, and music sessions throughout the day. Staff themselves are excellent role models. They all demonstrate excellent language skills, introducing new and challenging vocabulary to children at every opportunity. n The manager and staff are incredibly knowledgeable about children's early experiences. This enables them to provide exceptional learning opportunities, which children may not otherwise experience. For example, children enjoy weekly piano and French tuition as well as qualified forest school and sports sessions. n Staff support children to behave exceptionally well in the pre-school. They

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need to do better?

skilfully outline behaviour expectations before each activity. Staff sensitively support children to examine the consequences of unwanted behaviour. They discuss the impact it has on both themselves and others. n Partnerships with parents is of an exceptionally high standard. Parents engage fully in their children's development. They greatly appreciate the regular advice and ideas on how to further support children's learning at home. Parents and carers enjoy visiting the pre-school to help share their families' unique customs and cultures. n Parents are extremely complimentary about the manager and staff. They value the outstanding and individual care given to all children. Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities deeply value the support the manager and staff give during the referral process and beyond.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff all demonstrate exceptionally strong knowledge of the signs and symptoms, which could indicate a child is at risk of harm. They confidently explain the safeguarding procedures, which are in place, including the referral process to follow if they have concerns about the welfare of a child. The manager and staff make sure children's safety is paramount. All staff regularly complete comprehensive first-aid and safeguarding training. They ensure the pre-school is safe for children by completing daily risk assessments and involve children in this process. This develops children's knowledge of managing risks.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY547944 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10174481 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Arborescence Montessori Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 02083270209 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Arborescence Montessori registered in 2017. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, five, including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2, 3 or 4. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, term time only. Morning sessions are from 9am to midday and afternoon sessions are from midday to 3pm. The pre-school offers a breakfast club from 8am to 9am. It 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 their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of education to assess the impact on children's learning. n Parents shared their views about the pre-school with the inspector. n The manager and inspector completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all staff. n The manage and the inspector discussed how the early years setting is organised. n The inspector held discussions with the manager and staff about the monitoring of learning and development in the pre-school and tracked the progress of children.

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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

4 March 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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