Caterpillars Montessori

Inspection of Caterpillars Montessori Caterpillars Montessori, Stocks Lane, Welshampton, Ellesmere SY12 0PG

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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 thoroughly enjoy their time at nursery. They leave their parents at the gate, full of smiles. Children confidently explore their environment, selecting where and what they want to play with. They show high levels of concentration and perseverance as they attempt to use the tweezers to pick up objects. Babies enjoy mark-making activities. Children make good progress in their learning. This is because staff plan a range of activities for them to take part in. At times, staff support children to recap and build on their existing knowledge. Children eagerly share with staff what they already know about their bodies. For example, they know that 'the rib protects the heart', 'the skull protects the brain' and 'the heart pumps blood around the body'. Staff have discussions with the children about what their 'kneecap' and 'spine' are for.

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The provision is good

Children behave extremely well. Staff encourage the children to take care of each other as they play. Children take pride in looking after the resources in the nursery. For example, they happily wash up the paint brushes in the sink. Children also show their responsibility as they clean up after they finish eating. They clean off their own mats, scrape their own plates and then get the brush to sweep the floor. Children have built positive relationships with each other. They play cooperatively together as they share their ideas.

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need to do better?

n Leaders speak passionately about their curriculum. They are keen for children to leave their nursery being independent and confident learners. The curriculum covers all areas of learning. Staff place focus on supporting children's communication and language development. They read stories with lots of enthusiasm and excitement to get children engaged. Children smile, laugh and make comments about the story they are listening to. Children are excellent communicators. n Staff comment positively about the support they receive from leaders. Supervisions are completed by leaders to identify training needs and opportunities for staff. However, there is not enough focus on supporting staff to adapt their teaching practice or differentiate activities to suit the different ages and stages of child development. Consequently, at times, some children do not receive the same level of high-quality teaching and learning experiences as

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need to do better?

others. n Staff work well with parents to find out children's starting points. They then continue to observe and assess children's development over time. Staff identify new targets for the children to enable them to continue to thrive in their development. n Staff provide the children with lots of opportunities to learn about others. They

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need to do better?

12 January 2023 use a range of activities throughout the year to talk to the children about their similarities and differences. Children are very respectful. They show high levels of care towards each other. n Staff place focus on supporting children's personal development. They follow the individual needs of the children well. They notice immediately when children become tired, hungry or if they require changing. Staff check on sleeping children regularly. Children also take themselves to the 'cleaning station' to wipe their noses and wash their hands, using the mirrors to see what they are doing. n Staff do not think carefully enough about the organisation of lunchtime. Consequently, children are required to sit and wait for their lunch for long periods of time before they are offered their food. That being said, children are provided with a range of balanced meals, which they enjoy. They feed themselves well using the cutlery provided.

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need to do better?

n Partnership working with other professionals is good. Staff make referrals if they become concerned about the development of a child. They are keen for children to receive the right level of support they require. Staff also share information with other settings that children attend. This ensures that children receive consistency in their care and learning. n Parents speak highly about the setting. They comment that they can see the progress that their child is making in their development. Staff ensure that parents are kept fully informed about their child's learning and ways they can continue this at home. Staff find out all key information about the children before they start. This includes any medical and dietary requirements.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Recruitment procedures are effective to check that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff demonstrate sound knowledge of the action they should take if they become concerned about the welfare of a child. Staff are fully aware of the steps they should take if concerned about the suitability of another member of staff. Leaders take effective steps to ensure that they meet the correct child-to-adult ratio requirements. Staff are trained in paediatric first aid and know the actions they should take should a child become ill or hurt themselves at the nursery. Staff also have received appropriate training in food hygiene. The nursery is safe and secure and is clean throughout.

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should:

n support staff to adapt their teaching practice and differentiate activities to ensure that all children consistently receive high-quality teaching and learning experiences

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should:

12 January 2023 n review the organisation of lunchtime to prevent children waiting long periods of time for their meals to be served.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2619791 Local authority Shropshire Inspection number 10269545 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 48 Number of children on roll 46

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Name of registered person

Stephen Evanson and Camilla Bruce Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01948710123 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Caterpillars Montessori registered in 2021 and is located in Ellesmere. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am until 5.30pm and on Friday from 7.30am to 4pm, all year round, except for bank holidays. 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 nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The inspector viewed the nursery and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The inspector talked to staff and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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 January 2023 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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