Merrydays Montessori Nursery School

Inspection of Merrydays Montessori Nursery School Memorial Hall, Station Road, HENLEY-IN-ARDEN, West Midlands B95 5JP

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish at this setting where they develop superior levels of self-esteem, confidence and independence. They eagerly enter the nursery and quickly settle to their chosen activity. There is a calm, welcoming and happy atmosphere within the nursery. Children form excellent bonds with the staff who care for them. Children's emotional security is promoted exceptionally well by staff who act as excellent role models. This helps children to build strong friendships and show empathy for their peers. For example, children invite others to join their play but also kindly acknowledge when they may not want to join in. All children demonstrate excellent behaviour.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are highly motivated in their learning. They select from an excellent range of Montessori equipment and resources to practise real-life activities and routines. For example, children explore a range of different bottles with varying levels of challenge and are encouraged to learn to fasten and unfasten the different lids. Children concentrate for extended periods of time, exploring and investigating. For example, children select different sizes of building blocks and use these to build very high towers. They take time and persevere to make sure they are adding the blocks to the tower in the correct size order so that the tower does not fall down. Children show consistently high levels of concentration. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are making huge leaps in their development.

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need to do better?

n The manager and her team are extremely passionate about providing children with a very firm foundation to their learning. They have an excellent understanding of the Montessori approach and how it supports children to progress across all areas of the early years foundation stage. They complete rigorous and ongoing assessments to help identify any areas for development and plan for future learning needs. n Staff place an extremely sharp focus on supporting children's communication and language skills. Story times are exceptionally well delivered. Staff take the opportunity to introduce new and challenging vocabulary to children. For example, during one story session, staff read about a character in the book who 'grimaced'. The member of staff explains to children what this new word means, and she encourages them to make different facial expressions. Children giggle in delight as they do this. n Staff promote children's understanding of mathematics across a range of

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need to do better?

activities. For example, when children are invited to come together on the carpet for group time, they are encouraged to help count how many children there are. Children help to count, and staff explain that there are 10 children sitting on the

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need to do better?

14 September 2022 carpet, but that there are 12 children here today. Children are given time to think about this before they respond, 'We are missing two children then.' n Staff have very high expectations for all children. Children with SEND receive exceptionally high levels of support to help them make excellent progress. They are extremely well included and supported to join in with activities, and they have their individual needs met at all times. For example, staff have an excellent understanding of their interests and individual learning styles and use this knowledge to skilfully engage children in the opportunities on offer. n Staff reflect on each child's uniqueness and teach them to value and respect differences. They use books to talk to children about different families. Children are encouraged to contribute to discussions about their own family. Staff take time to listen to children's contributions, and they praise children for these

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need to do better?

contributions. n Staff manage children's behaviour exceptionally well. They give clear and age- appropriate explanations to children. Staff act as superb role models, interacting with children in a kind, polite and caring manner. Children listen to and respond attentively to requests from staff. For example, during a music session, children are encouraged to play their choice of instrument. Staff ask them to 'play, play, play and stop', and children know to stop on request. n Partnership working with parents is strong. Parents feel extremely well informed about their children's time at the nursery. Parents express how satisfied they are with the nursery. They say that they would highly recommend it to others. Parents say that their children are progressing above and beyond their expectations.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding about all safeguarding and child protection issues. They are very secure in their understanding of the nursery's procedures to follow should they have any concerns about children or adults working in the setting. The manager has clear procedures in place to ensure that adults working with children are checked for their suitability. Staff support children to identify and manage risks in their play. They talk to them about climbing safely on the outdoor equipment and ensuring there is enough space around them as they jump from one beam to another on the obstacle course they have made.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 200679 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 10116356 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Everley, Helen Louise

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reference number

Telephone number 01564795722 Date of previous inspection 3 February 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Merrydays Montessori Nursery School opened in 1958 and registered in 2000. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold a level 6 qualification, one holds a level 4 qualification and one holds a level 3 qualification. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 9am until 3.15pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery is an accredited Montessori nursery.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk to understand how the setting operates and how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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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

14 September 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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