The Little Learners Montessori Northwood

Inspection of The Little Learners Montessori Northwood The Hall, 12 Oaklands Gate, NORTHWOOD, Middlesex HA6 3AA

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled at this welcoming nursery. They feel safe and secure and build positive relationships with their key person and other staff. Children access a curriculum that promotes their independence and builds on their confidence in learning. They choose from and explore a wide range of educational resources. Children develop positive attitudes towards learning because staff have high expectations of what they want them to learn and achieve. They follow the Montessori method of teaching.

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The provision is good

Children develop their small-muscle movements by using a range of tools, media and equipment. For example, they have a go at opening and closing jars and enjoy filling in and emptying containers. In addition, they confidently use crayons to make marks, in preparation for early writing. Some children complete the word jigsaw and can recognise some phonics. Younger children show enjoyment while discovering the sounds that sensory objects and musical instruments make.

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The provision is good

Outdoors, children learn to manage their own risks when using some apparatus, such as when they test their physical abilities and 'climb the mountain'. Older children confidently talk to visitors. They notice how the smell changes when they add more soil to the herbs that they have mixed in their mud kitchen. Children listen to staff instructions and behave well. They enjoy the company of their friends, negotiate and learn to share resources.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have a clear curriculum intent and know what they want children to learn. The manager recognises that some staff need more support and guidance than others. She provides regular supervision and support, and she arranges training to build on staff's teaching skills and professional development, to benefit children. n Staff monitor children's progress from the start and carry out required assessments of children's learning. All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress in their learning. n Staff support children's communication skills well. For example, they read the books and introduce simple words in repetition to help the youngest children remember them. Older children eagerly take part in story times and enjoy using puppets. However, children who speak English as an additional language do not regularly hear or use their home language in their play and learning, to help

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need to do better?

them build on their communication skills even further. n Staff encourage children to learn how to keep themselves healthy. For example, they ensure children regularly learn in the fresh air and eat a healthy and nutritious diet. In addition, staff arrange activities for children to learn about the

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need to do better?

30 June 2022 importance of dental hygiene. Children enjoy brushing and flossing pretend teeth. n Children receive praise from staff, and this helps them develop self-esteem for the next stage of learning. Children develop problem-solving skills while they arrange the objects according to their sizes, colours and shades. n The manager recognises that national lockdowns and restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic affected children's personal, social and emotional development. As a result, they provide as much time as needed for settling children into the nursery. This helps children and their parents feel emotionally secure before their learning journey begins. n Staff encourage children to lead their own play. However, when they plan the group activities, they do not always adapt teaching to engage children of all abilities as much as possible. On these occasions, children are not challenged enough; they become bored and leave the activity sooner than expected.

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need to do better?

n Staff regularly talk to parents about their children's day and learning. Parents often contribute information about their children's learning from home. This helps to provide consistency in children's learning and development. n Children enjoy outings to the local community and parks, and they regularly visit the library where they read with staff and borrow books. They learn about diversity around them and the wider world. This helps children prepare for life in modern Britain.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider and the manager follow strict procedures to ensure staff suitability. This includes safer recruitment, staff monitoring and regular supervision. New staff receive a clear induction to help them understand their roles and responsibilities. Staff are vigilant and complete regular risk assessments of the indoor and outdoor environments to keep children safe from hazards. They are fully aware of the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's welfare or the behaviour of an adult working with children.

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should:

n advance the planning and delivery of group activities to consider abilities and interests of individual children, to keep them fully engaged in learning n build on current opportunities for children who speak English as an additional language to hear and use their home language in their play and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY478383 Local authority Hillingdon Inspection number 10245506 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Little Learners Montessori Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01923 824 324 Date of previous inspection 16 August 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The Little Learners Montessori Northwood registered in 2014. It is one of four nurseries owned by a private provider. The nursery is located in the London Borough of Hillingdon. It is open each weekday, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, 48 weeks a year. The provider receives funding to offer free early education for children aged three and four years. There are 15 members of staff, of whom six hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n This inspection was completed without notice. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n Parents spoke to the inspector and shared their views about the setting. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector reviewed some documents relevant to the inspection process. n The manager and the inspector observed and evaluated planned activities together. n The inspector held a meeting with the provider and the manager.

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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

30 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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