Townsend Montessori Nurseries @ Margate

Inspection of Townsend Montessori Nurseries @ Margate Tempest House, 10 Cowper Road, MARGATE, Kent CT9 1SX

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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 Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children receive an extremely warm and caring welcome from staff upon arrival at the setting. Children are happy and eager to separate from their parents. They quickly engage with activities, that have been carefully planned to meet their needs. For instance, young children excitedly explore a sensory activity, where different objects have been frozen inside ice balls. This ignites their curiosity, as they try to break the ice open using various tools.

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The provision is outstanding

Children demonstrate that they feel very safe and secure and have developed close bonds with staff. For example, they confidently lead their own learning, as they freely explore and play together in the calm and relaxed atmosphere. The environment is exceptionally well planned to support their growing independence. Children have consistently positive attitudes to their learning. They show high levels of respect towards each other and clearly understand how their behaviour has an impact on others. For instance, during play children remind each other about 'inside voices' and can be seen illustrating this to each other. Children exhibit high levels of self-control.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff have very high expectations for children. This includes those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For instance, the setting works exceptionally well with outside agencies to ensure that the environment is fully inclusive and meets the needs of all children attending. All children make outstanding progress regardless of their starting points.

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need to do better?

n The staff know the children extremely well. They offer highly engaging activities that are carefully planned around the children's interests. For example, children show keen interests in the sounds they hear, such as emergency vehicles. Staff respond quickly to adapt the environment to support their teaching. Children develop their fine motor skills as they practise with buttons on dressing-up clothes. Staff introduce new vocabulary as they role play with the children and talk about people who help us. n Children share a love of reading with the staff. They read stories in a way that excites and engages children and highly motivates them to learn. For example, staff use excellent expression and encourage children to recall what they know about a familiar story. Children excitedly join in and share props with each other as they retell the story. They demonstrate a rich vocabulary, which prepares them exceptionally well for their next stage of learning.

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need to do better?

n Children's early literacy skills are exceptionally well planned for. Older children's learning is supported and extended by a qualified teacher. Their learning is clearly embedded as they freely practise their skills during play. For instance,

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need to do better?

23 March 2022 children are highly engaged and concentrate as they independently mark make. They correctly form the letters of their names onto their pictures. Older children write their names in full. They are making remarkable progress for their age. n Staff have exceptionally high standards for children's behaviour. Children's positive attitudes to learning reflect this throughout the setting. Children learn to manage their own behaviour from a very young age. For instance, staff gently remind children about the rules and how to keep themselves safe. Staff successfully give children the tools and language they need to develop their understanding of why safety measures are in place. n The manager speaks passionately about the setting's inclusive approach. She is very ambitious about providing high-quality education and care to all children, especially those who are disadvantaged and those with SEND. For example, the

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need to do better?

setting work extremely closely with outside agencies. As a result, children receive highly effective targeted support that is tailored to their individual needs. They make excellent progress from their starting points. The support for children with SEND is outstanding and is worthy of being shared with others. n The leadership and management of the setting is inspirational. The manager has built highly successful and trusting relationships with her staff team and has very high aspirations for their professional development. Staff well-being is at the top of her agenda. For example, staff consistently report that they are very happy and feel immensely supported by the approachable and caring manager. Staff have high levels of respect for their manager.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and duty to protect children from harm. Staff talk confidently about what they would do if they had concerns about a child's welfare. They understand the local safeguarding procedures and know who they need to report their concerns to and when. The setting has a clear culture of safeguarding, that is firmly embedded within everyday practice. Staff receive regular training to keep their knowledge up to date.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY450900 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10225849 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 72 Number of children on roll 162 Name of registered person Townsend Montessori Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01843 290675 Date of previous inspection 12 October 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Townsend Montessori Nurseries @ Margate, registered in 2012 and is one of many nurseries run by The Old Station Nurseries Ltd. The nursery is situated in the town of Margate, Kent. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm for most of the year. It receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 24 staff and of these, 13 hold early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. Four members of staff hold a degree in early years. They also employ an early years teacher. The nursery follows the Montessori philosophy of teaching.

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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 their children to learn. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 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 spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

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Inspection activities

their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

23 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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