Little Diggers Montessori

Inspection of Little Diggers Montessori Sidlesham Cp School, Keynor Lane, Sidlesham, Chichester, Sussex PO20 7NL

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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

As children arrive at the nursery, they are welcomed warmly by enthusiastic and attentive practitioners. Babies and young children build close and nurturing relationships with their key person, as they seek them out for cuddles, smiles and reassurance when they need to. Children feel safe and secure. They put away their coats and bags and are excited to get involved with activities.

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The provision is good

Older children demonstrate their growing independence skills as they confidently carry out tasks for themselves. For example, at lunchtime, children carefully set up the table with plates and cutlery. They understand that glasses can break and therefore, they carry them with extreme care and attention. Children have positive attitudes to learning as they build confidence in their own abilities, trying hard to complete these important personal routines.

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The provision is good

In the forest area, children are developing good physical skills. They run, jump and splash in muddy puddles with excited delight. Children are supported well by knowledgeable practitioners who provide a variety of inspiring learning activities. Children explore with tools and write with sticks in the mud. They are excited and engaged in their play.

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need to do better?

n Managers create an ambitious curriculum that intends to challenge and motivate children in their learning. They have a clear vision of what they want children to know and understand. Practitioners contribute to this ambition and commitment as they strive to provide the highest level of care and education. n Parents share that their children are happy and settled at the nursery. They explain how pleased they are with the excellent communication they receive about their child's progress and future learning. For example, parents know what their children are working towards and are offered suggestions on how they can support this further at home. Parent partnerships are strong. n Children are fully supported in developing a love of reading. Managers ensure a local library bus frequently visits the nursery, and have introduced a lending library to encourage parents to read frequently to children at home.

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need to do better?

Furthermore, practitioners embrace every opportunity to sit with children and enthusiastically read stories with them. n Overall, children behave well. They are beginning to understand how to play fairly with one another and respond swiftly to instructions that are given to them, for example at tidy-up time. However, at times, the core behavioural expectations of the nursery are not implemented consistently by practitioners. As a result, key messages relating to behaviour are not always understood by children.

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need to do better?

24 October 2022 n Practitioners have a good understanding of how to enhance children's learning and monitor their progress effectively. They have a clear knowledge of how to identify and support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Practitioners and managers liaise with other agencies, such as the local speech and language team. Through all of this, children are supported in achieving the best possible outcomes. n Children develop broad vocabularies. Practitioners support babies and young children closely as they model single words and phrases. Practitioners offer them plenty of praise and encouragement as they build on their personal language. Older children are confident talkers as they initiate conversations and offer explanations throughout their learning and play. n Managers are highly aware of how to support the practitioners at the nursery. They are mindful of the importance of carrying out regular supervisions that

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need to do better?

provide guidance and assistance when needed. Managers ensure practitioners have access to a wide range of purposeful training. For example, they arrange in-person training days, which practitioners report is enjoyable and insightful. n Children have access to challenging mathematical activities that promote their understanding of numbers and counting in the inspirational inside classroom. However, practitioners do not always use opportunities to involve this area of learning in activities that take place outside. As a result, children who choose to play and learn outside for much of the day, have access to fewer opportunities to take part in activities that extend this aspect of their learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and practitioners know how to ensure the safety and welfare of children. They have exemplary knowledge on the process they must follow should they ever have any concerns about a child. Practitioners clearly understand how to report any concerns they may have about the conduct of an adult working with children to the local authority. They frequently receive detailed training that keeps their knowledge up to date. Practitioners carefully consider risks on a day-to-day basis, especially in their outdoor environment. They encourage children to understand these risks as they identify them together.

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should:

n consider how to support practitioners in implementing the behavioural expectations of the nursery more consistently n strengthen the teaching of mathematics outdoors, so that all children have access to a wide range of high-quality learning opportunities that support their developing understanding of numbers and other mathematical concepts.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2579037 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10250959 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 45 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Little Diggers Montessori Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07876758879 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The provider registered in 2020 and is situated in the Sidlesham area of Chichester. They operate from 8am until 6pm, all year round. The provider accepts funding for children who are two, three and four years of age. There are 15 members of staff, of which 11 hold a relevant early years qualification.

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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 that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n Managers and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to practitioners at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between the practitioners and children. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the managers. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

24 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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