Kia Mena Montessori Pre School

Inspection of Kia Mena Montessori Pre School Foxgrove Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 5AS

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Staff provide a breakfast club for children to support children's self-help skills with engaging, stimulating interactions. Children are welcomed on arrival by friendly and enthusiastic staff. Those children who are not in breakfast club eagerly play with carers and wait in the garden until it is time for them to arrive. The setting is well organised and children understand the routines. They are supported to be independent. For example, children place their book bags in the correctly coloured box, which matches their key person. Staff set high expectations for children, who join a circle time for registration. Children enjoy some songs and conversations, for example, about the weather and understanding their emotions and how they feel.

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The provision is good

Staff follow a Montessori teaching approach to children's learning. They provide teacher-led group times and free-flow play to support children's development. Staff place a high importance on developing children's early literacy and mathematical skills when they play. Children have individual books, which go home with them to share with their families.

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The provision is good

Children have strong attachments with all staff. This helps them to safely and confidently explore their environment, and help themselves to the resources available. Children benefit from a range of experiences that enhance their individual learning. For example, in the practical-life area, children feed some caterpillars. They observe them and hope that they will turn into butterflies soon. This helps children to learn how to care for living things. Children select resources, such as ceramic jugs, to pour and develop their motor skills. Staff skilfully praise children. Children proudly show their achievements to staff.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are effective in their ongoing evaluation of the setting. They set development plans each year and work towards appropriate targets. Leaders have a clear vision and set reachable goals through their development plans. They support staff's knowledge of how to teach and meet the individual needs of children. For example, the manager is able to talk through the experiences of children exploring some blocks. Staff know how to adapt resources to extend children's learning. However, specific resources are used to support more than one child, even though developmental needs may differ. n Staff promote children's personal development and early communication well. Older children are motivated and eager learners. However, staff do not always use their strong teaching skills to support all younger children's learning. For example, they do not always support younger children in group times to enhance their learning experiences, and adapt activities to suit the mixed age

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need to do better?

31 May 2022 n The quality of education is supported by the key-person approach. The key- person system is unique to the provider as they keep the same key children from them joining until leaving the setting, where possible. This allows those connections between staff, families and children to flourish. Staff clearly communicate about the progress of children and are able to identify any gaps in their learning. Staff work closely with leaders and outside agencies to support any gaps in children's development. n Parents provide positive feedback about the setting, particularly the key-person approach. They say that they are kept informed about their children's progress through online systems and conversations, as well as the recent individual parent and teacher meetings. However, not all parents have an understanding of child development and the progression of their child. n Staff have attended training around supporting children to be healthy. This has

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need to do better?

been effective and has allowed staff to adapt children's snack times. Staff have added more vegetables and carbohydrates to children's snack to ensure that children continue to eat healthily and have good health and well-being. They have future plans to develop healthy eating in children's packed lunches and work more closely with families around the importance of healthy eating.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding and know where to find information when needed. Staff understand what to do if they have any concerns about a child or staff member, and feel confident in knowing the procedures and their responsibilities. The manager attends regular training. She keeps staff training up to date to help to keep children safe and meet their needs.

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should:

n improve parents' understanding of child development so that all parents understand how their children learn and develop n plan group times to ensure that younger children's learning needs are met.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 405131 Local authority Bromley Inspection number 10234546 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 43 Number of children on roll 79 Name of registered person Hudson, Sharon

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reference number

Telephone number 020 8658 9009 Date of previous inspection 4 October 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Kia Mena Montessori Pre School registered in 1994 and is located in Beckenham, in the London Borough of Bromley. It follows the Montessori approach. The pre- school opens each weekday during term time, except for half terms. It offers a variety of sessions between 9.15am and 4.30pm. The pre-school also offers a breakfast club from 8.15am to 9.15am and an after-school club from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. Two staff have a level 4 Montessori teaching qualification and the manager has an early years degree. Two staff hold qualifications at level 4 and three at level 3. The pre-school provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 and deputy joined the inspector on a learning walk. They talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of 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

31 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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