Fidgety Feet

Inspection of Fidgety Feet Montessori Pre School, St. Edmunds Hall, Little Laver Road, Matching Green, Harlow, Essex CM17 0QB

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are welcomed warmly by their key person when they arrive, and they happily leave their parents. They show great enthusiasm and excitement to learn as they explore what is on offer. All children, including the babies, have clearly established close bonds with the nurturing team of practitioners. They are very confident and comfortable in the inviting child-friendly and homely environment. The manager, the deputy manager and their team fully consider children's individuality and speak knowledgeably about all children attending.

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The provision is good

Children delight playing in the garden. They have immense fun mastering the challenge of using large apparatus. They take safe risks, fully supported by practitioners who are on hand to encourage and help if required. Children show great pride and satisfaction at their achievement as they giggle sliding down the long slide. Toddlers show sustained levels of concentration as they are engrossed in transporting pasta into different pots in the garden role play. Children enjoy gardening, skilfully filling pots with compost and colourful plants. They eagerly join in cooking club and make cakes to share at home. Even the babies enjoy the mixing of ingredients and the sensory experience of the texture, smells and taste of the mixture.

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need to do better?

n The management team is enthusiastic and has a clear vision of how to provide high-quality care and education following the Montessori ethos and principles. The staff team is motivated and supported. Staff speak highly of the manager. Staff's morale is very good as they feel valued and know that their ideas and suggestions are welcomed. All staff are supported in their own continuous professional development. They speak with enthusiasm about recent and planned training. There is a strong culture to evaluate any training and share any new ideas with the team as they understand the positive impact this has on outcomes for children. n Partnerships with parents are well established. Parents speak very highly of the 'amazing' practitioners and the commitment and dedication to their children. They comment that they are reassured their children make very good progress. Parents feel comfortable leaving their children, secure in the knowledge that

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need to do better?

they are kept safe and are having fun while learning. n The manager ensures the curriculum is planned and securely embedded across all areas of learning and provides an inclusive environment. There is a strong emphasis on teaching children independence skills. Children access organised toys and resources from open shelving so that they can initiate their own play. They confidently serve snack using tongs and pour drinks with skill. Children are familiar with the routine of scraping their plates after dinner and helping to tidy

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need to do better?

25 May 2022 away. They manage their shoes and clothing with ease. However, practitioners are always on hand to help if needed. This means that all children, including those who require additional support, achieve the best possible outcomes and are prepared for successful future learning. n The practitioners have high expectations for all the children attending. There is a sharp focus on supporting their personal, social and emotional development. Children's behaviour is generally very good, and they understand what is acceptable. They listen intently when staff talk to them, and they respond positively to requests. On occasions, some practitioners quickly intervene in children's disagreements. This means children are not always learning to negotiate with one another to establish a positive solution to a problem, for example when sharing toys. n Children's language development is progressing well. Practitioners are good role

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need to do better?

models. They are skilful in allowing children time to process questions and respond. Children are inquisitive and eager to learn. They ask lots of questions. They have a wide vocabulary and use words such as 'atmosphere' when talking about the world around them. Children are keen to solve problems, such as rescuing model dinosaurs that have been frozen in ice. They understand the concept of water being liquid and solid. They use tools safely to crack the ice. Children talk about the different dinosaurs being 'carnivores' or 'herbivores'. They decide warm water is needed to melt the ice and show great pleasure when they succeed.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The managers and their team of practitioners demonstrate a sound understanding of how to protect children's welfare. There is a sharp focus on regular safeguarding training. This includes wider aspects of child protection, to ensure all staff are confident and have a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe. They are clear about the procedure to follow should they have a concern regarding a child in their care. A robust recruitment policy ensures children are cared for by staff who understand their role and responsibilities. Practitioners educate children to understand how to keep themselves safe and take managed risks through well- planned activities.

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should:

n provide children with more opportunities to take responsibility for themselves and solve problems when negotiating how to share resources.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2501588 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10207711 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 26 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person Fidgety Feet Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01279730003 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Fidgety Feet registered in 2019. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 46 weeks a year. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children. The nursery follows the Montessori philosophy and principles alongside traditional teaching methods to support children's learning.

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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 showed the inspector around the areas that children access. They discussed how staff organise the nursery and plan the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the nursery deputy. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of the nursery's documents, including evidence of staff's suitability and training. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has 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

25 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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