Key Largo Montessori

Inspection of Key Largo Montessori St. Laurence C Of E Church, 37 Bromley Road, London SE6 2TS

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children have good relationships with staff and each other. They are happy, settled and play cooperatively. The provider leads and manages the setting and places a strong emphasis on promoting children's learning and development. However, the provider has not ensured that they fulfil their role and responsibilities to ensure all requirements are met. For example, breaches in the early years foundation stage requirements include a failure to notify Ofsted of a new director so that suitability checks can be completed. In addition, recruitment and vetting records for all staff are not appropriately maintained and available for inspection. This compromises children's welfare and safety.

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The provision is inadequate

Children enjoy a broad curriculum of interesting activities and outings that promote their individual learning needs. Overall, children are well behaved. During outings, children show a good understanding of road safety. They walk sensibly while holding the walking rope and enjoy using public transport. However, staff could do more to help children learn about procedures that promote their safety and well- being. For example, when in the park during free play, not all children are aware of safety boundaries and run further away when they see something that excites them. Risk assessments are not robust enough. Staff do not fully consider potential hazards that may cause harm. For example, they do not take action to minimise risks effectively when cooking with children.

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need to do better?

n Staff engage children in meaningful conversations while on outings and help children to learn about the world around them. For example, they talk about nature and encourage children to watch the river water flow and listen to the sound it makes. They also encourage conversations about transport. Children excitedly talk about the different-colour cars and numbers on buses that they can see. n Occasionally, younger children are less-well supported. During times when children are changing activities or getting ready to go outside, older children chat happily whereas younger children sit quietly and are not always engaged. These waiting times reduce learning opportunities for younger children, particularly around extending their communication and language skills. n Children develop their physical skills well as they run around in the park and confidently use the climbing frame. They develop good social skills as they enjoy

p.2

need to do better?

playing imaginatively together and take turns when using the slide. In the outside play area, children's physical skills are further enhanced. For example, they skilfully use wheeled toys and actively play in the sandpit, using the large wooden accessories to manoeuvre the sand. n All children enjoy group times where they sing songs and enthusiastically join in

p.2

need to do better?

21 March 2022 with the actions. Older children use the Montessori resources appropriately, both independently and during focussed activities with staff. They develop their mathematical skills well while counting and sequencing objects. They show good literacy skills. For example, they recognise letters and can write their own names. This helps to prepare them for when they move on to school. n Parents speak highly of staff and say the nursery is like an extended family. They say communication is good and staff share information about their children's progress and events of the day. Parents say their children are thriving and their confidence has improved. n Children enjoy relaxed and sociable mealtimes where they make choices of foods they like to eat. They pour their own drinks and scrape their plate when they have finished eating. This helps them to develop healthy eating habits and regulate the amount they want to eat.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff participate in regular supervision meetings and value the mentoring and support given by the provider. However, a named deputy is not in place to take charge in the manager's absence. As a result, staff are unclear about their roles and responsibilities. n Staff implement appropriate targeted support to meet children's individual or additional needs. Good systems are in place to promote partnership working with parents and other agencies. This successfully promotes children's welfare.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have completed safeguarding training and can identify signs that a child may be at risk of harm. However, staff are unclear about the procedures to follow to report any child protection concerns or if an allegation is raised against staff. This compromises children's welfare. The written safeguarding policy does not include the procedures for use of mobile phones and cameras as required. However, staff know this procedure and do not use their phones when working with children. Records about staff are not well organised or maintained as required. This means they are not accessible to Ofsted or other agencies if needed.

p.3

Due date

develop knowledge and understanding about the types of changes and significant events that must be notified to Ofsted 04/04/2022

p.3

Due date

21 March 2022 provide Ofsted with required information about the new director to enable suitability checks to be completed 04/04/2022

p.3

Due date

ensure that records about staff vetting and recruitment checks are maintained, including the required Disclosure and Barring Service check information 04/04/2022

p.4

Due date

appoint a deputy who is capable and competent to take charge in the manager's absence 04/04/2022

p.4

Due date

help children to learn about procedures that promote their safety and well-being, especially while on outings 04/04/2022

p.4

Due date

train staff to ensure they fully understand the safeguarding procedures, including how to report concerns about children's welfare and procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation against a member of staff 04/04/2022

p.4

Due date

take all reasonable steps to identify and minimise risks to children and staff, especially when cooking 04/04/2022

p.4

Due date

review the organisation of daily routines to minimise the time that younger children are waiting during changes of activities and optimise their learning effectively 04/04/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure the safeguarding policy includes all required information, including about the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting. 04/05/2022

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2527219 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 10221857 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Key Largo Montessori Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 02036096876 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Key Largo Montessori Limited registered in 2019. It is privately owned and is situated within the grounds of St. Laurence Church, in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is open five days a week from 8am to 6pm throughout the year. There are currently six members of staff, including the provider who manages the nursery. Four staff hold appropriate early years qualifications, including one who holds qualified teacher status and three who have qualifications at levels 2 and 3. All staff are trained by the provider to deliver Montessori educational practice.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n This inspection was carried out following the risk assessment process. n The provider and inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the curriculum they offer and how the setting is organised. n The inspector held discussions with staff, parents and children, and took account of their views. n The inspector sampled a range of required documentation, including children's records and staff vetting, recruitment and qualifications. n The inspector accompanied staff and children on an outing and observed the impact 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

21 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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Inspection activities

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