Key Largo Montessori

Inspection of Key Largo Montessori St. Laurence C Of E Church, 37 Bromley Road, London SE6 2TS

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision is inadequate

Children's welfare is significantly compromised. Staff do not recognise when children may be at risk of harm, and they are unclear about child protection procedures. Children's safety is not assured. They are exposed to risks, such as cleaning materials, that are left within their reach. Children are placed at higher risk in the event of an emergency, as staff are unclear about leadership roles and responsibilities. Children's safety and welfare are further compromised due to the provider's failure to ensure that suitability checks for relevant adults are able to be completed by Ofsted.

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The provision is inadequate

Children do have some positive experiences. They are confident and happy. Children enjoy learning about different animals. Staff encourage children to look at illustrations and discuss the food and behaviours of animals, such as elephants. Children enjoy using their imaginations as they pretend to be elephants. They go on to create and decorate elephant masks outdoors. Children show high levels of independence, such as when they pour drinks and use tongs to serve themselves at lunchtime. Children explore height, as they build with bricks and measure themselves against towers. This develops their mathematical awareness. Children concentrate well to complete challenging, self-chosen tasks indoors. They show that they are becoming competent and independent learners.

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need to do better?

n The provider has failed to address weaknesses identified at the last inspection. The manager relies on the advice of external advisors and does not understand her responsibility to keep up to date with legal requirements and procedures, such as how to make notifications to Ofsted. n The provider does not ensure that staff are able to undertake the roles and responsibilities for their role. On the day of inspection, the acting manager was also acting as a designated safeguarding officer (DSO). She was unclear about the procedure to use in the event of an allegation being made. The acting manager identified an unqualified member of staff with limited experience as the deputy manager. This demonstrates a lack of judgement about who is capable and qualified to take charge in the acting manager's absence. n The provider does not ensure that leadership arrangements are always effective. During the inspection, staff lacked clarity about leadership roles and staff

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need to do better?

responsibilities. Contradictory information was provided about who was the acting deputy manager of the setting. This lack of staff understanding about who is responsible for day-to-day oversight compromises children's welfare, including in the event of an emergency. n The provider does not monitor the impact of staff training, advice and support sufficiently well to ensure that it is effective. For example, recent safeguarding

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need to do better?

12 August 2022 training does not improve staff's knowledge and understanding. Staff are unclear about leadership roles and responsibilities in the absence of the permanent manager and deputy manager. n Despite the issue being raised at the previous inspection, the provider has failed to provide the information necessary for Ofsted to complete suitability checks for a new director. The manager demonstrates a lack of awareness about how to update or notify significant events about the organisation to Ofsted. n Children show that they behave well and engage in learning. They focus, concentrate and show patience as they complete self-chosen tasks. Children help staff to carry out tasks, such as filling up cans and watering plants. Staff encourage children to acquire positive social skills, such as using good manners and helping their friends at mealtimes. n Staff introduce children to new words and hold meaningful conversations with

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need to do better?

children. For example, children speak about their experiences, such as visits to the playground, and about their pets at home. Children who speak a language at home other than English begin to acquire English-speaking skills. Some children have opportunities to value and acknowledge important people in their lives. For example, staff support children to create birthday cards for their grandparents. n Children take part in activities that support their physical development. They enjoy using bicycles and run races with their friends. Children develop their small-hand muscles as they use pipettes to transfer water or pick up beads with tweezers. This prepares children well for later writing. Some children write their names unaided.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are not clear about their roles and responsibilities. This impacts on children's care and learning, although some children progress well. The safeguarding knowledge of some staff is weak, and they are unclear about where to seek relevant advice about child protection procedures. The acting DSO does not demonstrate that she is able to fulfil her role and responsibility and provide the correct advice and guidance to ensure the safety of children. Risk assessments are not effective. Children receive support to manage their independent self care. Toileting and personal-care arrangements outdoors take account of children's privacy. Staff speak with children about how to stay safe in the sun. The provider checks the initial and ongoing suitability of staff and maintains accurate records of this. However, the suitability of all directors cannot be assured.

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Due date

ensure an effective and suitable designated practitioner with lead responsibility for safeguarding is available to provide support, advice, and guidance to staff on an ongoing basis and on any specific safeguarding issue as required 01/09/2022

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Due date

ensure that staff understand who is suitable and responsible for carrying out leadership roles in the absence of the manager and deputy manager 01/09/2022

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Due date

ensure that staff are clear about roles and responsibilities within the nursery, and provide staff with the required support, coaching and training needed to carry out the tasks expected of them 01/09/2022

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Due date

implement a thorough and effective risk assessment procedure that demonstrates prompt action is taken to remove or minimise risk to ensure children's safety at all times 01/09/2022

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Due date

ensure that Ofsted are provided with the required information about the new director to enable suitability checks to be completed. 01/09/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2527219 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 10247320 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 12 Number of children on roll 17 Name of registered person Key Largo Montessori Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 02036096876 Date of previous inspection 21 March 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Key Largo Montessori Limited registered in 2019. It is privately owned and is situated within the grounds of St. Laurence Church, in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is open five days a week, from 7.30am to 6pm, throughout the year. There are currently six members of staff, including the provider who manages the nursery. Two staff, including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 2 and 3. One staff member holds qualified teacher status. Staff are trained by the provider to deliver Montessori educational practice. The provider receives funding to provide early education places for children aged three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed the continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n A director showed the inspector around the nursery, indoors and outdoors, and explained how staff support children's learning and development. n The inspector observed the quality of interactions between staff and children, and assessed the impact of these on children's learning. n The acting manager and inspector discussed the teaching and learning that took place during a children's activity. n The provider met with the inspector. Discussions included arrangements for the recruitment and support of staff, nursery development and evaluation, and safeguarding. n The inspector reviewed documents. These included evidence of the suitability of staff and evidence of staff professional development. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times.

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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

12 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.

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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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