Le Ballon Rouge Montessori Day Nursery

Inspection of Le Ballon Rouge Montessori Day Nursery 32 Crossfield Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 4LS

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

All children make the best possible progress at the nursery. They develop a deep understanding of what staff expect from them from a young age. For instance, they stop immediately when the bell rings to signal tidy-up time. Children work collaboratively to tidy away. They help their friends carry boxes full of toys carefully back to where they belong.

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The provision is outstanding

Children with have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive exceptional support. They form strong bonds with all of the staff within their rooms, turning to them for help and comfort. Children demonstrate high levels of respect for one another. They include one another in their play instinctively, playing harmoniously together. Children immerse themselves in imaginary play. They draw in everyone around them, including staff members and visitors. For example, they pretend that the floor outside is lava, warning visitors and staff to move away, so that they do not get burned.

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The provision is outstanding

Children take an active role in celebrating their own achievements. They look back through their learning journals, revisiting and discussing their previous learning. Children play with purpose and enthusiasm. They become engrossed in their learning. For instance, they tip and pour water between different containers outside. They do not become at all distracted as the other children play enthusiastically around them.

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need to do better?

n Staff are extremely well supported in their roles and their morale is high. The managers value the staff team and make the most of everyone's individual strengths and backgrounds. For instance, staff organise activities to celebrate festivals that are important to them, such as St Patrick's Day. This helps children to learn about the diverse community they are a part of. n Managers work tirelessly to ensure that children with SEND receive the level of care and support they need. They continuously liaise with other agencies. They share vital information regarding children's welfare and needs. The whole staff team keenly participate in specialist training. For instance, they learn how to support children with specific medical needs. They recognise the importance of being able to meet the needs of all children across the nursery, not just children they work directly with. n There is a calm and inviting atmosphere throughout the nursery. Routines and

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need to do better?

expectations are the same in all rooms and are thoroughly embedded from a young age. The youngest children receive support from staff to use their 'school legs' when they sit on the carpet. Older children instinctively sit with their legs crossed when they sit down for group time. They push their chairs in when they

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need to do better?

11 May 2022 leave the table. As a result of this strong behaviour, staff rarely need to remind children what they need to do. n Staff's interactions with children across the nursery are consistently strong. The qualified Montessori teacher expertly leads small group sessions, where children learn to handle fragile resources with care. Parents comment that they understand the Montessori ethos, thanks to the information staff share with them. The staff provide suggestions and ideas, which help parents to build on children's learning at home. This contributes towards the rapid progress that children make in their learning and development. n Children's learning is expertly sequenced. For instance, children order pictures of familiar nursery rhymes. They sing the song, then sequence the pictures, then sing again to check the order. Once they have mastered this, staff ask them to sequence the pictures before they sing, providing higher levels of challenge. This

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need to do better?

helps staff to check children's understanding and stretch their learning even further. n Staff provide children with an inclusive learning environment, offering all children the same experiences. For instance, children of all ages get the opportunity to cook. Staff instinctively adapt their interactions with children to support their individual stages of learning. The oldest children independently make sausage rolls, following staff's careful guidance. The youngest children receive support to develop skills, such as rolling and cutting. They are proud of their achievements. Staff provide parents with clear guidance about how to cook the food children make. They share vital information regarding the contents of the food, so that they can enjoy it safely.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff have a strong understanding of their roles to safeguard children. They regularly complete training to keep their knowledge as up to date as possible. Managers regularly ensure that staff remain suitable for their roles, such as during their supervision meetings. Staff are aware of the process to follow should they have concerns regarding a child's welfare. They recognise the signs of abuse, as well as wider safeguarding issues. For instance, they recognise the signs that a child may be at risk of exposure to extreme views or behaviour. Staff understand what to do if they have concerns regarding their colleagues. They know who to contact should their concerns not be addressed appropriately by managers.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 119494 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10137544 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 50 Number of children on roll 95 Name of registered person Le Ballon Rouge Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01702 612445 Date of previous inspection 16 March 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Le Ballon Rouge Montessori Day Nursery registered in 1998. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff, of whom 17 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 to 5. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday from 8am until 5pm. They operate during term time and offer a holiday club. 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, deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to parents of children who attend the nursery. She took their views into consideration. n The manager and inspector jointly observed staff's interactions with children. They discussed the impact of these interactions on children's learning and development. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector viewed a range of documentation, including staff suitability documents, qualification certificates and insurance documents.

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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

11 May 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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