Cherry Tree Montessori Nursery

Inspection of Cherry Tree Montessori Nursery 1 High Street, Ashley Heath, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 2HP

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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 are happy, secure and enjoy accessing an enabling environment. The effective curriculum planning ensures that children are motivated and engaged. Staff carefully plan the wide range of good-quality resources to develop children's skills through purposeful play. For example, low pipes fixed to the wall encourage babies to grasp balls, pull themselves up safely and drop them down the pipe. They are fascinated by what happens; they strengthen their hands and legs and develop their hand-eye coordination. Older children learn life skills such as grinding coffee, using tools for a purpose, and strengthening their hands and arms ready for writing. Toddlers become increasingly independent as they learn to share the ride- on cars; they quickly go from getting frustrated at not being able to get in, to opening the door, climbing in and closing the door, before pushing themselves backwards.

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The provision is good

There is a strong focus on children's language skills. Staff sing with babies and narrate their actions, and they help older children to recall previous learning and extend their vocabulary. Children use a range of mathematical language, such as 'empty', 'full' and 'one more', and they count with confidence. Children enjoy books in all areas. They listen well to staff, when appropriate, and follow instructions.

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need to do better?

n The management team has worked hard to ensure that staff implement an ambitious curriculum, which is underpinned by research and the Montessori approach to teaching. Managers and staff intend for children to be curious and to lead their learning, which is implemented successfully. Leaders have a clear focus on the skills they want children to have before going to school and how they expect staff to sequence children's learning to help them attain these skills. n Through successful monitoring, staff have an accurate knowledge of children's development. They quickly spot any gaps in children's development and provide focused support to help them catch up. Staff ensure that good support for children learning to speak English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities is provided. As such, they make quick progress. n Overall, staff help children to be independent, find resources they need and

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need to do better?

learn through first-hand experiences. Most staff challenge children effectively. For example, they reassure young children that they are close by to catch them, but they encourage them to have a go for themselves at balancing on low obstacles. Sometimes, some staff are too quick to solve problems for children instead of using an activity as a learning opportunity. n Children have an effective understanding of healthy practices. Even toddlers get tissues, wipe their noses, and place the tissue in the bin. Children have daily

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need to do better?

26 July 2023 opportunities to be outside. Older children comment with confidence when they feel their hearts beating fast after exercise. Children know to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated, especially when outside in the sun. n Children behave well and have lovely, positive relationships with each other and staff. Babies are content, and staff provide good interaction during nappy changing. Children are very willing to tidy up, and they learn the values of patience, kindness, and friendships from staff, who are good role models. However, occasionally, staff do not acknowledge the suggestions of quieter children, as older children dominate. n Parents confirm that there is strong partnership working with the setting. The daily exchange of information ensures that staff and parents work consistently well together to support children's next steps in learning, both at nursery and at home. Parents comment that shy children become very confident and improve

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need to do better?

their language skills immensely. They describe staff as nurturing, kind and considerate. n The strong leadership team provides successful supervision and support for staff. Staff confirm that in-house and ongoing training has made an important improvement to their practice. Managers recognise staff's strengths and give them lead responsibilities, such as for physical development. n The management team completes a full audit of the provision and targets improvements that have the most impact on children's welfare and development. Managers have gained accreditation in physical literacy, providing superb opportunities for all children, including babies, to take part in focused activities to develop stability, resilience, object control and locomotion. In addition, children enthusiastically develop speech sounds, spacial awareness, self-regulation, understanding, concentration and vocabulary.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff have regular safeguarding training and discussions during team meetings to support them in protecting children's welfare. The manager and staff have a good awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and know what to do if children are at risk of harm. They know who to contact outside of the organisation if they have concerns about colleagues. Good risk assessments and procedures ensure that children play in a secure and safe environment. Managers carry out good employment and induction procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and understand their responsibilities.

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should:

n increase staff awareness of ensuring that the contributions of quieter children

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should:

26 July 2023 are acknowledged in group activities n support staff in helping children to make predications and solve problems through trial and error.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2646034 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 10299926 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 24 Number of children on roll 36 Name of registered person Big Discoveries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01425 477400 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Cherry Tree Montessori Nursery registered under the current owners in 2021. It operates from Ashley Heath, Dorset. It opens Monday to Friday, 8am until 5pm, all year round. A team of seven staff, including one of the owners, works with the children. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, one at level 5 and one at level 4. Four staff hold an early years qualification at level 3. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years.

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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 manager and one of the owners led the inspector on a learning walk to discuss their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to the staff, parents and children during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation of a small-group activity and discussed the quality of teaching and learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education in all areas, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The manager, one owner, and the inspector held a leadership and management meeting, and the inspector checked relevant documentation to demonstrate the

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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 July 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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