Montessori Explorers

Inspection of Montessori Explorers Greenhill Lodge, 327-327a Birmingham Road, SUTTON COLDFIELD, West Midlands B72 1DL

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision requires improvement

On arrival, children are greeted by staff at the door. While children separate from parents relatively easily, some become quite upset once inside. Staff are caring and nurturing, and lots of reassurance and cuddles are given to children. Despite this, some children who are new do not immediately settle and remain upset for long periods. This is because they and staff are still forming close bonds.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children enjoy singing songs and playing with their friends. Babies enjoy sitting in a circle to take turns picking a toy or puppet out of a bag and singing the song that it represents. For example, children choose a finger puppet of a duck. Staff encourage children to sing 'Three Little Ducks' with them. Children are excited and this is familiar to them. Some purposefully find the item they want out the bag, so they can sing their favourite nursery rhyme. That said, first thing in the morning when all the children are arriving, there is very little for babies and other children to do. This is because activities are not provided which engage children's interest.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Older children enjoy exploring jelly in a large tray. They touch and feel it and squish it through their fingers. Children sustain a reasonable level of engagement in the activities led by the staff. They enjoy creating and making their own Chinese dragon to celebrate Chinese New Year. Children are confident. They approach the inspector and involve her in their imaginary tea party. Overall children behave well.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider's curriculum is designed to give children the skills required for their next stage of learning. Staff know the children well, including what they want children to learn next. However, teaching is variable, and staff do not always have a clear learning intention for some activities. For example, an activity involving counters was not clear for children. Children with mixed abilities were all doing something different. Consequently, the focus of the learning intent was lost and some children did not learn as much as they could. n Generally, staff promote children's health well. Children are asked to blow their own noses, are praised for 'catching their coughs' and asked to go wash their hands. However, at other times, children are seen eating food off the floor or walking while eating, because supervision is not as good as it should be, and staff have not realised. However, once staff notice, they intervene appropriately.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children enjoy fresh air in the spacious outdoor garden. Large climbing equipment allows children to manage their own risks. They enjoy climbing and sliding down the fireman's pole. Scooters and bicycles encourage children to practise their large-muscle skills. The provider has identified areas in need of maintenance, which are being addressed. Traffic cones around an area designed to keep children away become a resource and children use them in their role

p.2

need to do better?

19 January 2023 play. Children use their toy diggers to scoop up the leaves and rubble as they manoeuvre them around the cones. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Staff work alongside parents and any external agencies who may be involved in the children's care. This joined-up approach supports children to achieve the best they can. Staff ensure that children who struggle to socialise and play inside the rooms alongside their friends still have access to the same activities. They bring resources out to them in the area they are accessing. n At times, the organisation of nursery routines and transitions between these are poor, and do not support children's learning. First thing in the morning, children are grouped together with little or no direction from staff. Staff become preoccupied with caring for those children who are upset, or providing support to individual children. Children become bored and disengaged as there is very

p.2

need to do better?

little for them to do and the environment becomes loud and chaotic. Staff try to read a story but the noise level is too loud and the children who are trying to listen cannot hear, so some leave the activity. In the afternoon, after lunch or sleep, managers and staff do not organise who is responsible for providing activities. This results in children becoming very boisterous or playing without any interactions from staff. n Lots of opportunities are provided to support children to be independent, such as getting their own coats and shoes and finding their bags to change independently. Children are given jobs to do, such as laying the table for lunch or helping to get snacks ready for their friends. However, at mealtimes, children do not have knives to eat with. Staff remind children to use their forks, but do not recognise that they need knives to do this properly. n Staff report high levels of morale. They are supported in their professional

p.3

need to do better?

development. They access training on communication and language to help support children who may be behind in their language skills. This helps staff to close any gaps in learning. n Parents comment that they are happy with the care their children receive. They are kept up to date with their child's progress through parents' evenings and an online application. The provider has plans to bring parents back into the setting and involve them more in their children's learning.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have a robust understanding of safeguarding. They know the procedures to follow if they have concerns about children in their care. Regular training and staff meetings underpin staff's knowledge and ensure that safeguarding is thoroughly embedded throughout the setting. Staff speak confidently about how they would report concerns about colleagues and their behaviour. Staff take appropriate measures if children have an accident. There are sufficient staff qualified in paediatric first aid on site to deal with accidents or emergencies. First aid treatment is given, and a record is made online to share with parents. The premises and facilities are safe and secure.

p.3

Due date

ensure that children are supervised effectively around food 03/03/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that the learning intent for the activities provided is clear and reflects what children need to learn next. 31/03/2023

p.4

should:

n further support children's independence by always providing appropriate cutlery n review the organisation of the transitions between nursery routines to support staff to maximise the opportunities for children's learning.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY501530 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10271370 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 53 Name of registered person EXPLORERS GROUP LIMITED

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01213505550 Date of previous inspection 4 April 2019

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Montessori Explorers registered in 2016 and is situated in Sutton Coldfield. The nursery operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for one week at Christmas. It offers funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff, all of whom are qualified between level 2 and level 7.

p.5

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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as first-aid qualifications, risk assessments and accident and injury records, and reviewed evidence of the

p.6

Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

19 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7