The De Lacey Montessori School

Inspection of The De Lacey Montessori School St Francis Community Hall, 865 Great West Road, ISLEWORTH, Middlesex TW7 5PD

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are quick to settle into the nursery. When children begin their learning journey with the nursery, staff spend time with the parents to learn about their family. For example, they ask questions about their experiences during the COVID- 19 pandemic and gather family photos for the nursery's family tree. Children are confident with the routine of the setting. Staff use visual timetables and cues to share what is happening now and next. This provides a secure foundation for future learning.

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The provision is good

Children build strong relationships. Children are confident to express their feelings to staff and their friends. In the garden, children support each other to use the balance beams. They hold hands and praise each other as they successfully balance and walk along. Consequently, children are confident as they explore their environment together. Children are building social skills to develop their future friendships.

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The provision is good

Children are developing their independence skills. At snack time, children cut their own fruit. Throughout the day, children attend to their toileting needs by themselves. Children are managing their personal needs independently.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have developed a curriculum that puts children's needs at the centre. Staff carry out assessments on children during their first few months at the setting. Leaders spend time reviewing and comparing these assessments. They recognise children need more support in developing their social and emotional skills, as well as communication and language following the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, staff teach new knowledge and skills that are appropriate to the stage of children. n Children develop a range of vocabulary. During a group activity, children engage with their peers and share previous learning as they explore dinosaurs and an erupting volcano. Staff pronounce and explain new words to children, such as 'extinct', which children then use independently. This helps children to become confident speakers. n Staff engage children in conversation during play and within routines. Staff describe shapes and sizes of objects. Children build on their mathematical

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need to do better?

language and develop an early interest in numbers. n Staff adapt language and their approach to involve all children. Staff use different techniques to gain the attention of children who need additional support. For example, staff use different actions and know the importance of eye contact before they communicate what is happening next. This means all children feel included and have access to learning.

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need to do better?

7 June 2023 n Staff provide opportunities for children to keep healthy while they are at nursery, such as being physical outdoors as children wave ribbons and march around the garden. Children practise toothbrushing on animals, and they eat healthy foods at mealtimes. Leaders role model ways to explain to children how to keep themselves healthy and why, but this is not always considered by staff when teaching. As a result, not all children consistently learn about the benefits of healthy lifestyles to help encourage them to make healthy lifestyle choices independently. n Parents comment they are happy with the individualised support their child receives. Staff spend time with the parents at the beginning and end of the child's day. They know the progress that their child is making. Staff share what parents can do at home to extend learning through their online app. Families and staff quickly develop strong relationships.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are clear on the strengths of the nursery and their staff. Leaders provide a range of professional development opportunities as a staff team. Staff attend training based on the developmental needs of children. All staff have attended 'Let's talk together' training. Leaders explain that this supports staff practice in communication and language development. n Leaders have clear procedures in place on how they intend to monitor staff practice, such as peer-on-peer observations and team meetings following training. However, leaders do not always identify where staff may need ongoing individual support. This means some staff do not develop their teaching skills as quickly as others to help maintain a consistent high-quality education for children. n Children are well behaved. Throughout the day, staff role model good behaviour to children and praise their positive behaviour and achievements. For example,

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need to do better?

at mealtimes, staff sit with children and demonstrate how to sit at the table and take turns to self-serve. Children are learning behavioural expectations through positive interactions.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and staff are clear on the procedures to follow to ensure children are kept safe from harm. Staff know what to do if there are concerns around a member of staff. Staff attend regular safeguarding training to keep their knowledge up to date, and all staff are first-aid trained. At the point of employment, leaders ensure that staff are suitable by carrying out the correct suitability checks. Through the induction process, leaders share the expectations so staff are aware of the company's standards around safeguarding. Leaders are aware of what needs to be notified to Ofsted.

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should:

7 June 2023 n develop staff teaching to deepen children's understanding about what actions are important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and why n provide staff with precise professional development that is tailored to their individual needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY418859 Local authority Hounslow Inspection number 10294003 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 44 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person The De Lacey Montessori School Ltd.

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reference number

Telephone number 07921483391 Date of previous inspection 29 September 2021

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Information about this early years setting

The De Lacey Montessori School has been operating since 1982. It re-registered under new ownership in 2010. The nursery school operates from St Francis Community Hall in Isleworth in the London Borough of Hounslow. It operates from 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. The nursery school receives funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two, three and four years. There is a staff team of nine, including the provider/manager. The provider/manager has a Montessori teaching qualification and has achieved early years professional status. One staff member has a level 4 qualification, three staff have level 3 qualifications and two staff members are level 2 qualified.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The nominated individual and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the nominated individual. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

7 June 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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