Blossom Tree Montessori

Inspection of Blossom Tree Montessori Blossom Tree Montessori, Joel Street Farm, Joel Street, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 2PD

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and settled at this vibrant and welcoming nursery. They develop close bonds with the caring staff and show that they feel very safe and secure. Babies confidently communicate their needs, for example, by using simple signs to show whether they want more or have finished. Older children eagerly include staff in their play and readily turn to them if they need help.

p.2

The provision is good

Children respond positively to the high expectations of staff. They are active, curious and keen learners. They become independent and confident in what they can do. Toddlers enthusiastically stack blocks to create towers. They display resilience and resolutely try again if their tower falls. Older children show a keen interest in literacy. They happily look at books independently and share stories with adults. Some children make very strong progress from their starting points. They become fluent readers and confident writers.

p.2

The provision is good

Children's behaviour is consistently good. They are friendly and sociable towards others and enjoy being independent and helpful. Babies begin to develop their own interests and make choices about their play. Toddlers confidently use cutlery at mealtimes and scrape their plates when they have finished. Older children take pride in having responsibilities, such as watering the nursery plants and cleaning up after play.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders are passionate about their roles. They have a clear vision for providing high-quality care and learning for children. Leaders evaluate the provision well, to identify any areas for further development. They have adapted and improved ways of sharing information on children's progress with parents. This has reduced the amount of paperwork for staff, so that they spend more time actively involved with the children. n Parents speak highly of the nursery. They describe the excellent communication with staff. For example, parents receive daily information, photos and videos of their children, through a bespoke online app that the provider has created. Parents say that this reassures them that their children are very happy, stimulated and well cared for by the staff. n Children benefit from a broad and well-planned curriculum, which encompasses all areas of their development. They demonstrate enthusiasm for learning and

p.2

need to do better?

concentrate well on the activities that they have chosen. For instance, children are highly focused and show attention to detail during a painting activity. They create elaborate patterns using painting techniques seen in Masai art. n Staff, generally, implement the curriculum well. They introduce new ideas, model skills to children and encourage them to join in and try things out.

p.2

need to do better?

16 March 2022 However, occasionally, the delivery of group activities is less strong. For instance, activities for younger children, sometimes, go on for too long and those for older children, occasionally, lack challenge. Therefore, children lose interest or do not gain all that they could from these experiences. n Staff monitor children's development closely, to identify their next steps in learning. They ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive effective support to make the best possible progress. For instance, staff work with children on a one-to-one basis, to help them develop relationships with other children. Staff work closely with parents and, where appropriate, with other professionals to draw up focused plans for children, to promote their learning and support them when they move on to school. n Overall, staff promote children's communication skills well. For example, they

p.2

need to do better?

read books and sing songs with children and comment on what they are doing as they play. However, staff, sometimes, miss opportunities to help children hear and use a wider range of words, to help broaden their vocabularies. n Children build strong foundations to support healthy and active lifestyles. They have good opportunities for vigorous exercise, to help them build strength and fitness. For instance, they play outdoors in their well-equipped garden and take part in extracurricular sports and movement sessions. Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks, which are freshly prepared each day by the nursery chef.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders and staff demonstrate a secure understanding of safeguarding. This includes wider issues, such as the risks children may face from domestic violence or radicalisation. Staff know how to identify signs of abuse and the procedures to follow if they become concerned about a child's welfare. Leaders understand how to respond if there is an allegation or concern about an adult working with children. They carry out robust checks on staff, to help ensure they are suitable for their roles. Staff assess risks and follow nursery procedures to maintain a safe and hygienic environment.

p.3

should:

n support staff to improve the implementation of group activities, to ensure that they consistently engage children and provide appropriate levels of challenge n help staff to strengthen their support for children's language skills, by introducing a wider range of vocabulary and encouraging children to use new words as they play.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY559997 Local authority Hillingdon Inspection number 10217967 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 112 Number of children on roll 165 Name of registered person Blossom Tree Montessori Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01923 273 300 Date of previous inspection 20 February 2020

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Blossom Tree Montessori registered in 2018. The nursery operates all year round, Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm. The nursery employs 33 members of childcare staff, of whom 27 hold early years qualifications. The manager holds early years teacher status and other staff are qualified at levels 5, 4, 3 and 2. The nursery offers funded education for children aged three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider has received, since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken this into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The quality manager showed the inspector around the nursery premises. She explained how they organise the environment and learning programmes for children. n The inspector observed activities and interactions between children and staff, to evaluate the quality of education. This included a joint observation with the quality manager. n Parents, staff and children shared their views and experiences with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector met with nursery leaders to discuss issues, such as recruitment, training and support for staff. n The inspector looked at some of the nursery's documents, including safeguarding policies, staff suitability checks and paediatric first-aid certificates.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

16 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.

p.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6