Leamington Montessori Nursery School

Inspection of Leamington Montessori Nursery School Village Hall, Church Lane, Old Milverton CV32 6SA

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy and enjoy nursery school. The staff team offer a very welcoming environment for both parents and children. Children arrive before nursery school to feed the pony and look at the animals in the field next door. Staff provide comfort and reassurance as they enter, and children settle well and quickly become engaged in an activity.

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The provision is good

Children develop independence in the nursery school. For example, they wash their own hands before snack and lunch time and wipe them again afterwards. They try to pour milk or water from small jugs into a beaker with support from staff if needed. At snack time, children learn how to handle tools. For example, they use small tongs to lift pieces of fruit onto their plate and attempt to peel their own fruit.

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The provision is good

Children have fun in nursery school. For example, they join in with one of their favourite songs in the garden. They excitedly play a game called 'What's the time, Mr Wolf?' Staff praise and encourage the children to count and recite numbers during the activity. They stop and think about the number of steps they take and how close they will be to the child pretending to be the wolf. Children are kind to one another and have good relationships with their peers. During the game, they take the steps required together and wait for their turn.

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need to do better?

n The provider has an effective professional development system in place. Staff talk with enthusiasm about the training days and courses they are able to attend to further their professional development. They also have regular staff supervision meetings. This ensures staff are able to discuss any concerns they may have about children in their key group. Managers set new targets during the supervision process, which help to ensure staff develop their practice further. The staff team feel supported in their roles and valued by the management team. n A strength of the nursery school is the partnerships it has developed with both parents and professionals. This ensures that children are supported well, and their individual needs are met. The nursery school provides excellent support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Additional funding is used effectively; therefore, children with SEND make excellent

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need to do better?

progress from their starting points. Parents speak highly of the staff team and their commitment to provide the best possible care for their children. n Children develop good physical skills due to the range of experiences offered. When they are outside, they enjoy playing on tree swings, climbing ladders and sliding down slides, helping to strengthen their arm and leg muscles. They also learn to coordinate and balance as they jump on and off log stools of varying

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need to do better?

12 October 2022 height. Inside, children are able to use a grip when holding writing tools, such as pencils. Some children use scissors with support to cut paper when making their own pictures. They use glue spreaders confidently and take great pride in their achievements. n Communication and language skills are developed as children listen to stories and rhymes. The expressive way in which the staff read stories captures children's interest. They use open questions with the older children to help them understand what is happening. They ask, for example, 'What are they doing? and 'What do you think might happen next?' For younger children staff develop early language skills. For example, they join in making the 'brum brum' noise of the tractor. They also practise new words, such as 'rustle' and 'crispy', as they are used to describe leaves. n The provider has a clear vision of what she wants the children to learn. For

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need to do better?

example, children explore growing and caring for plants and flowers. Children begin to observe that they need water to make them grow. In a large sandpit, they empty and fill different-sized buckets of sand. This helps to develop an understanding of comparing different quantities. In the outdoor kitchen, children use pots, pans and wooden spoons. They add leaves, flowers and conkers and pretend to make potions during imaginary play. However, at times, the quality of staff's interactions with children, particularly outside, does not help them to fully participate in some of the activities. Therefore, some children do not experience the broad range of learning opportunities available to further extend their development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The premises are securely fenced, and staff ensure that the setting is well maintained. There are good procedures in place to keep the children safe. Risk assessments are thorough. They are undertaken daily for the large outdoor area, and staff manage risks on regular nature walks with the children. Staff recognise the different areas of abuse. They know how to identify and report any safeguarding concerns. The provider ensures that all the members of the nursery school team attend regular safeguarding updates and training. Staff are aware of the whistle-blowing policy and how to manage allegations made against staff.

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should:

n review the quality of staff interactions with children, particularly outside, to help all children access the full range of learning opportunities available to extend and develop their development even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2594468 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 10251343 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 32

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Name of registered person

Leamington Montessori Nursery School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07786038333 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Leamington Montessori Nursery School registered in 2020. The nursery employs five members of staff. Of these, three hold relevant early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am until 3.15pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 this into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual/registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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 October 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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