Fairfield Montessori School Ltd

Inspection of Fairfield Montessori School Ltd Fairfield Montessori School, 76 Benedict Street, GLASTONBURY, Somerset BA6 9EY

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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 receive a warm and friendly welcome when they arrive at this setting. They eagerly greet their friends and separate well from parents and carers. Children are quick to join in with the range of activities on offer. This shows that they feel happy and safe. Staff build good relationships with children and parents. Parents feel well informed about what their children are doing each day and how well they are developing. Staff give parents ideas of how to support their children's learning at home. Parents appreciate this and feel included in their children's education.

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The provision is good

Children have plenty of opportunities to be physically active throughout the day. They develop their core strength and large muscles by climbing and balancing on climbing frames. This also helps them to learn how to safely take risks. Children build their imagination by playing in the mud kitchen or dressing up and role playing. Staff teach children how to share, take turns and be kind to one another. This supports children to learn how to make friends and work as part of a team. Staff plan the experiences carefully. They make learning fun, and children are highly motivated and engaged in the learning activities on offer. As a result, children make good progress.

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need to do better?

n Staff skilfully introduce new vocabulary to the children as they play. For example, when looking at a snail, staff use words such as 'antennae'. Staff remind children that they saw antennae on a butterfly earlier that day. This repetition of vocabulary helps children to remember new words and develops their language skills. n The setting's special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) is passionate about her role. She is very knowledgeable about the children that attend who need extra support. She works closely with staff, families and external agencies to monitor these children's development. She ensures that children receive targeted support to close any developmental gaps that are appearing. n Staff foster a love of books. Children listen carefully when staff read to them. Staff promote children's interest in reading at home by encouraging children to bring in books to share with their friends. This provides a strong foundation for

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need to do better?

children's future reading development. n Staff know what they want each child to learn next. They think carefully about the activities on offer and what children will learn from them. However, on occasion, staff choose activities that are too difficult for the children. As a result, some children struggle with the task and lose focus. n Staff support children to learn rules and routines to ensure that they remain safe. For example, children learn how to go up and down stairs safely and how

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need to do better?

26 April 2023 to line up and wait patiently for the next activity to begin. However, transition times are not always organised effectively. During these times, staff do too much for children. For example, they put children's coats away and get their lunch boxes out for them. This limits opportunities for children to practise these independence skills themselves in preparation for school. n Staff support children to develop an understanding of different cultures and beliefs. For instance, staff invite relatives of children from the Muslim faith to talk to children about Ramadan. Grandparents that speak a language other than English share stories in their own language with the children. This teaches children about the world around them and supports them to appreciate diversity. n Staff provide activities linked to children's interests to motivate them to learn. As a result, children show high levels of concentration on their chosen activities for

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need to do better?

extended periods. For example, staff support children to look for bugs in the outdoor forest school area. Children eagerly search with their magnifying glasses and squeal with delight when they find them. This develops their investigative skills and levels of curiosity. n The manager is reflective in her practice and is passionate about the care that she and her staff provide. She cares about the well-being of her staff and provides regular supervision meetings to ensure that they feel valued and well supported.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good knowledge of the signs that may indicate abuse or radicalisation. The manager ensures that safeguarding knowledge remains up to date by regularly questioning staff to check their understanding of safeguarding procedures. Staff are able to explain the action that they would take if concerned about a child's welfare or the behaviour of a colleague. All members of staff have attended training to support babies to sleep safely. Staff follow systems to manage children's dietary requirements, preferences and allergies. Staff communicate across the setting using walkie-talkies. This enables staff to deploy themselves effectively to ensure that children are well supervised.

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should:

n consider ways to enhance opportunities for children to strengthen their independence skills n ensure all activities are matched to the age and stage of the children taking part.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY423868 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10280206 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 54 Number of children on roll 97 Name of registered person Fairfield Montessori School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01458834294 Date of previous inspection 18 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Fairfield Montessori School Ltd registered in 2011. It is in Glastonbury, Somerset. The school opens Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm, all year round. The setting receives funding to provide free early years education for two-, three- and four- year-old children. There are 13 members of staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 3 and one holds a childcare qualification at level 2.

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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 and the deputy manager conducted a learning walk to discuss how the setting is organised, 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 observed staff interactions with children and the impact these have on children's learning. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n A joint observation with the manager was carried out and discussions about the quality of the teaching observed were held. n Parents shared their views with the inspector, and these were considered to

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Inspection activities

assess the effectiveness of partnerships with parents. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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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

26 April 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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