Montessori Community School

Inspection of Montessori Community School Cyprus House, 183 Townmead Road, Fulham, London SW6 2JX

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy in this nurturing environment. The experienced staff know children well and carefully plan for children's next steps in learning. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported through targeted intervention plans. The gradual settling-in process allows children time to become emotionally secure in their environment. Staff quickly form strong bonds with children and their parents. Parents know their children's targets and are given ideas on how to support them at home. For example, they are provided with ideas on how to support children with potty training and communication and language skills. Parents are happy with the communication they receive from the nursery and feel fully involved in their children's learning.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They follow instructions for putting resources back after activities and tidying away their plates after snack time. Children are praised for waiting their turn as they roll cars down a ramp. Staff model the language of 'please' and 'thank you' during mealtimes when children ask for second helpings.

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The provision is good

The nursery promotes an appreciation of music, and children enjoy expressing themselves as they move to music. Children dance with friends to a piano accompaniment, and staff further support them by clapping along and singing their names. Staff sing a range of action songs and children enthusiastically join in.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan carefully to ensure there are plenty of opportunities for children to develop their independence. Babies peel bananas in preparation for snack and staff model the steps for handwashing. They demonstrate this as they sing, 'This is the way we wash our hands' alongside their actions to further support and encourage them. Older children independently dress themselves for outdoor play and serve themselves food during mealtimes. n Staff promote a love for reading. Children enjoy taking books home from nursery to share with their families. They independently self-select books to read during free choice. Staff enjoy reading to children and use a range of props to help them to fully engage. For example, children enjoy giving the caterpillar the different foods to eat in the story of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. n Staff carefully plan interesting and exciting activities for children to enjoy. For

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need to do better?

example, children enjoy playing with fish and boats in blue coloured water to learn about the ocean. They use spades to dig for minibeasts in sand. However, not all staff fully understand the learning intentions behind the planned activities, and therefore they do not always fully challenge children's thinking through their interactions with them. This occasionally results in children quickly losing interest and moving to a different activity.

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need to do better?

28 February 2023 n There is a range of activities on offer for children to practise using their small- muscle skills and to develop mathematically. Babies use different-sized spoons to scoop coloured rice into bowls. Staff challenge them by counting the number of scoops needed to fill different-sized containers. Older children enjoy painting, practise using scissors and carefully peel the backs off stickers. Staff support pre-school children to use pencils to copy letters of their name. n Children enjoy fresh air and exercise at nursery. They throw, catch and kick large balls, push babies in pushchairs and ride on bikes. Staff take play equipment to the park, providing children with opportunities to run, jump and climb. Babies practise their walking skills in the large indoor space. They enjoy climbing up and over small soft ramps and using stairs to move across bridges. n Children behave well and are keen to share what they have been doing at

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need to do better?

nursery with adults. They sit and follow instructions for circle times and listening to stories. They enjoy looking at books and singing songs while they wait for all their friends to get ready for outside play. Staff offer children high praise when they have achieved success, encouraging them to continue to persevere and keep on trying. n The leadership team is 'hands on' and regularly observes and meets with staff to support them with their practice. The team makes excellent use of external agencies, ensuring that children are able to fully access the curriculum. Staff receive regular training throughout the year and enjoy being part of this highly dedicated team.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff receive regular safeguarding training to ensure their knowledge is up to date. They carry out daily risk assessments to ensure the premises and resources are safe for children. There are clear procedures in place for reporting on and recording accidents and incidents. Staff recognise the signs of when a child may be at risk of abuse and understand the correct procedures for reporting on this. Parents and children receive advice and support form the nursery to ensure they understand the importance of staying safe digitally.

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should:

n help staff to develop a clearer understanding of what they want children to learn from activities, to enhance children's learning even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY392310 Local authority Hammersmith & Fulham Inspection number 10264398 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 65 Number of children on roll 52 Name of registered person Sharples, Winnie Minling Cao

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reference number

Telephone number 02077 368922 Date of previous inspection 14 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Montessori Community School registered in 2009. It is situated in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, for 50 weeks of the year. The nursery follows the Montessori philosophy of education. The provider provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs 15 members of staff who work directly with the children. Of these, 14 hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 2 or above.

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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 Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager and inspector conducted a learning walk together and discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n Children spoke to/communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to a range of staff about how the setting meets the needs of all learners, including those who speak English as an additional language and those with SEND. n The inspector spoke to a range of staff about safeguarding policies and

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Inspection activities

procedures. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector and manager carried out a joint observation of a member of staff. n The leadership team engaged in a meeting with the inspector and 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

28 February 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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