Little Orchard Montessori Nursery Lee Mill

Inspection of Little Orchard Montessori Nursery Lee Mill The Acorn Centre, 5 Oak Court , Pennant Way, Lee Mill, Ivybridge, Devon PL21 9GP

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children arrive enthusiastically to this warm and friendly nursery. Welcoming messages in the front entrance begin the day on a positive note. Children benefit from an embedded and highly stimulating curriculum, where they all make excellent progress. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) also develop exceptionally well from their starting points. Babies enjoy nurturing interactions from staff. They reach their arms up to be held and relish in listening to songs sung by their key person. Toddlers and older children enjoy learning about the world around them, such as South America. They talk to visitors about the emerald boa snake and tree frogs that live in the rainforest.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children behave exceptionally well and have a clear understanding of the nursery's expectations. They know to get themselves a carpet mat when building their own creations, such as using wooden bricks to create a 'fire station'. Their peers understand not to knock these down if on a designated mat. Others work exceptionally well as a team, deciding between them how they will use guttering and loose parts to create a unique design.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children have strong opportunities to be physically active indoors and outdoors. Inside, children go on a 'sound walk'. They use wooden sticks to make different noises around the nursery. Children make big movements as they stretch and bend to find new places that makes the most creative sound. Outside, children skilfully balance on 'slack lines'. Younger children carefully hold onto the upper rope and balance carefully along the bottom section. Older children demonstrate highly impressive gymnastics, by hanging upside down, wrapping their arms and legs around the 'lines'. n Parents comment on how much their children have progressed since starting at the nursery and how the communication from staff is excellent. They talk about how much support the nursery offers, such as the new baby weigh-in sessions and support groups for children with SEND that the nursery has implemented. Parents enjoy attending various events in the nursery, including the school

p.2

need to do better?

leavers' 'graduation' ceremony. n Children demonstrate high levels of attention and concentration. They become so excited about activities that they take visitors by the hand and pull out a chair for them to sit down on. Children then quickly sit down on the carpet and squeal with delight and anticipation to find out 'what's in the bucket'. Staff use captivating techniques to hold children's interest and children relish in finding out about the items inside the bucket. For instance, children listen intently to a wooden instrument that sounds like a train horn. They become engrossed in watching a sound tube change shape and sound. Staff skilfully link this to

p.2

need to do better?

18 August 2022 characters in stories they have recently read, such as 'Super Worm'. n All children are exceptionally independent. Young babies learn how to feed themselves, such as with florets of broccoli. Older babies use spoons and carefully pour water from a jug into a china cup. Toddlers and older children skilfully use a knife and a fork when eating and then cleverly scrape any leftover waste from their plate into the bin. Staff support children to always persevere until they succeed. n Staff embrace children's interests and ideas. Following children's keen interest in patterns and exploring colours, staff enable children to create these using coloured ice attached to lolly sticks. Children talk excitedly about the marks they make and how blue and yellow make green. They always use their manners, such as 'excuse me, please can you pass me the red ice cube' and are highly respectful to each other.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children learn about how they and others change over the years. For each birthday, staff and children sing a special song and look at photographs of themselves from birth to the present day. Staff encourage children to talk about the similarities and differences between themselves and others. Babies enjoy looking at 'family books' that have been created in partnership with parents to help them feel emotionally secure.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff ensure children always remain safe. After toothbrushing, staff ensure children do not walk around with brushes in their mouth. Outside, children look out for tree roots to prevent them from tripping over. When playing with ice, staff talk to children about not smashing ice in close proximity of others, in case it goes into someone's eye. Managers and staff all have an excellent understanding of child protection and clearly understand their role in keeping children safe. They can identify when a child or parent may be at risk and endeavour to support their welfare.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2596119 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10248121 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 65 Name of registered person Little Orchard Montessori Nurseries Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01752 893498 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Orchard Montessori Nursery Lee Mill registered in 2020 and is situated in Lee Mill, Devon. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery provides free early education funding for children aged two, three and four years. There are 12 members of staff, seven of whom hold childcare qualifications from level 6 to level 2. The nursery follows the Montessori philosophy.

p.4

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 the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing at the nursery. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children. n A joint observation was carried out with the inspector and the manager. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

18 August 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6