Neasden Montessori School

Inspection of Neasden Montessori School St. Catherines Church, Neasden Lane, London, Middlesex NW10 1QB

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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

The passionate manager works tirelessly with their dedicated staff to implement an ambitious and engaging curriculum. They use the Montessori teaching method to great effect, throughout the nursery, to inspire children's learning and ensure that they benefit from diverse experiences. Staff have high expectations for what children can achieve and support children's learning very well. Children have exposure to experiences that help them to learn about people and the wider world. For example, meaningful learning takes place to support children to talk about different modes of transport. Older children confidently learn about what different forms of transport can be used on land, air and water to travel around the globe. This helps support children to develop a greater appreciation to find out about the world in which they live.

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The provision is good

The staff team work closely with families and other professionals to ensure that children who may need extra support continue to make good progress. Staff have high expectations for all children and talk to them about the importance of rules and boundaries. They teach children to be kind and considerate towards each other and to use their manners consistently. Children behave very well. Children's emotional well-being is fostered well.

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need to do better?

n Staff skilfully and sensitively guide children through a broad range of challenging activities. For example, older children explore the concepts of floating and sinking, and staff challenge them to predict, investigate and recap their understanding. For example, children excitedly hunt for objects that might float, test their ideas and then categorise them, working out that feathers always float. Pre-school children are inquisitive learners. n Children develop good communication and language skills. Staff focus heavily on early language development, and use pictures, songs and stories skilfully to engage younger children in learning and using new words. Children show a particular love of books and excitedly help staff tell the stories, eagerly remembering what comes next and repeating the parts they know by heart. n Enthusiastic and friendly staff have a good knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop. Staff support children very well and have clear

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need to do better?

strategies in place to sequence their learning. They use observations to plan an interesting curriculum around children's individual interests and next steps in learning. For example, two-year-old children develop their hand strength and control as they twirl ribbons in the air. Children make good progress. n A well-established key-person system supports children to form strong attachments and promotes their well-being. Staff encourage and support children to make choices and follow their own interests. Staff set good examples

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need to do better?

7 June 2022 and follow clear routines. However, at times, changes of activity are not well planned and these needlessly disrupt children's learning. n Children develop a good understanding of a healthy lifestyle. They have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. Children follow good hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before eating. They develop good physical skills. Children learn to balance on ramps, they excitedly blow bubbles and laugh as they jump to pop them and learn to balance as they ride bicycles. n Staff support children very well to manage their behaviour. Children listen, behave very well and help each other. They learn to cooperate together and take turns from an early age. n The manager and staff well together to create a strong team. They enjoy their work and feel well supported. For example, the manager offers regular well- being discussions at supervision meetings and offers regular training

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need to do better?

opportunities. This helps staff to provide a happy and welcoming environment for the children. n Partnership working with parents is a strength. Recent changes in procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic mean that parents no longer enter the nursery. Despite this, leaders have developed a range of other ways to share information about children's learning and development. Parents are very happy. They are complimentary about the staff and talk about the high level of support for families and how settled their children are here.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager has thorough systems in place for the recruitment, induction and training of staff. Staff adhere closely to the robust policies, procedures and risk assessments, to fully promote children's health, safety and well-being. Staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of all aspects of safeguarding matters. This includes their awareness of possible indicators of abuse and the procedures to follow in order to make timely referrals. Staff are vigilant in their responsibilities in relation to the 'Prevent' duty guidance. Regular health and safety checks help to ensure that the environment is safe, secure and clean for children.

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should:

n develop consistency in how staff encourage children to build on their independence skills n review and adapt routines to help children engage in play and learning to the highest levels at all times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2503196 Local authority Brent Inspection number 10191381 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 74 Name of registered person Firstpride Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 02082081631 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Neasden Montessori School registered in 2018. It operates from St Catherine's Church Hall in Neasden in the London Borough of Brent. It operates weekdays between 9am and 3pm during term time. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. A team of six staff work with the children. All six staff hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3 to level 4. The nursery follows the Montessori educational philosophy.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with managers and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the nursery. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk of the premises and discussed how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n Parents spoke to the inspector and she took their views into account. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n The inspector sampled some documentation, including staff suitability records. n Discussions were held with staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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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

7 June 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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