Les Petites Etoiles Bilingual Montessori – Tufnell Park

Inspection of Les Petites Etoiles St George's Hall, Crayford Road, LONDON N7 0ND

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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 extremely motivated by this stimulating and well-resourced environment. They show big smiles as staff greet them at the gate. Older children quickly scan the activities on offer, while younger children seek comfort and reassurance from familiar staff. Children are eager to explore, whether they are playing with water, or working out the best way to transport leaves. Leaders have an ambitious ethos for every child. Their aim for children is to become 'an independent and autonomous individual'. Staff carefully create a unique curriculum, which helps children to learn social skills and be independent. As a result, children take ownership of their play by making choices about how to do things and select resources independently.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff are very kind, responsive and excellent role models. Children show respect and kindness to others. They benefit from a consistent routine, which helps them to predict what will happen now and next. For example, younger children are familiar with the routine of washing hands, then find an allocated chair to sit on, which is indicated with their own photo. Parents are provided with a range of information to support their children's learning and development at home. They play a vital role in continuing their children's learning.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from a language-rich environment, including children who speak English as an additional language. Staff work with parents to ensure that children hear and use their home languages in their play by learning key words from them. Children enjoy using storytelling cards to create a story and discuss the characters and their feelings with staff. n Staff have high expectations for children. They give reassurance and encourage children while they learn to manage risks for themselves. For example, staff introduce children to real items, such as a glass and a china bowl at mealtimes. Staff scaffold children's learning until they become confident to handle the items and keep themselves safe. n As a bilingual nursery, leaders and staff design and deliver an interesting curriculum based on the early years foundation stage and the French framework. The curriculum focuses on children's interests and developmental

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need to do better?

needs and is well sequenced. Leaders and staff provide a wide range of exciting experiences and activities. Children are highly engaged and focused. n Staff develop highly effective partnerships with parents. They use a range of methods to engage parents and keep them up to date with their children's progress. Parents' and children's views are captured through an 'All About Me' document and a 'cultural calendar'. Staff use this information to plan enjoyable activities around various cultural celebrations. Parents speak highly of the caring

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need to do better?

8 December 2022 staff, who they say are friendly and approachable. n Staff have a clear vision for encouraging children's independence and healthy lifestyle. They provide children with plentiful opportunities to practise this. For example, older children wash their hands, collect their own water bottles and serve themselves. Additionally, staff provide children with various experiences to develop their knowledge about healthy eating. Fresh, nutritious meals are prepared for children and they enjoy talking to their peers about their favourite food. Children also benefit from real-life experiences of nature. For example, they grow vegetables in the planting area and observe how they grow. n Passionate leaders, who aim to provide a high standard of care and education, lead the enthusiastic and motivated staff team. Staff feel very well supported by leaders. They are provided with excellent opportunities to develop their skills

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need to do better?

and knowledge further. Leaders establish strong links between the setting and sister settings. Leaders from each setting share new ideas to enhance their provision further. n Staff know what children can do and need to do next. They are warm and respond well to expand children's critical thinking during play. However, some staff have not developed their teaching skills to the same high quality. At times, the teaching is not as effective as it could be. For instance, when children play with pasta using their senses, they are directed what to do with them. As a result, children quickly move to other activities. This means that some children do not have as many opportunities as others to practise their thinking skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff and leaders have a thorough knowledge of how to keep children safe. They accurately identify the potential signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They understand the procedures to follow if concerned about a child's welfare or if an allegation is made. Regular safeguarding training is provided to all staff members. Staff use effective risk assessments to ensure that children can play safely indoors and outdoors. They are deployed effectively and supervise children well. Leaders implement robust recruitment and vetting procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n review the system for monitoring staff's practice to improve consistency in the quality of teaching.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY412485 Local authority Islington Inspection number 10235425 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person Les Petites Etoiles Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0207 697 8110 Date of previous inspection 9 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Les Petites Etoiles Limited is a bilingual French and English-speaking nursery school, situated in the London Borough of Islington. The nursery was registered in 2010. It is open all year round from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs 20 members of staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status, four hold appropriate qualifications at level 6, one is qualified to level 4, seven are qualified to level 3, four are qualified to level 2 and three are unqualified.

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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 The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 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 on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out joint observations with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

8 December 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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