Village Montessori Nursery School

Inspection of Village Montessori Nursery School Rowlands Castle Village Hall, 11 Links Lane, Rowland's Castle PO9 6AD

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

There are significant breaches to the requirements of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'. There are weaknesses in the safeguarding arrangements, including reporting concerns and ensuring that the premises are secure. In addition, the quality of education is not good enough. Staff do not understand how to deliver an ambitious curriculum.

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The provision is inadequate

There are times when children become bored and restless. There is a lack of challenging and enjoyable experiences for children to participate in. This limits their progress in all areas of their development.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite the weaknesses, children receive a warm and friendly welcome from staff. They independently take their belongings and hang them up on their individual peg. Staff support children to have a sense of responsibility. They are given 'special helper' jobs. Children relish ringing the bell to alert their friends when it is time for the next part of their routine.

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The provision is inadequate

Children do not benefit from consistent support to develop a positive attitude to learning. However, overall, they behave well. Children listen and follow instructions. For example, they tidy up after themselves and line up for lunch. Staff teach children the importance of good hygiene. They know they must wash away germs from their hands before they eat. Staff offer frequent praise to children in recognition of their positive behaviours. This helps them to understand what is expected.

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need to do better?

n Leadership and management are poor. The provider does not have sufficient oversight and effective governance of the setting. For example, she has not ensured that there is a named deputy, as required. Staff that are in charge do not have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. This does not ensure the smooth running of the setting. There are no systems in place to monitor the quality of teaching and learning. Staff struggle to understand how to implement the curriculum intent. This does not support staff to provide a good quality of education for all children. n Staff have failed to implement effective risk assessments. For example, they do not give good enough consideration to the potential risks posed by unknown individuals using the hall, when deciding to keep doors unlocked. This does not adequately ensure children's safety. n The provider has many lead roles. For example, she is the manager, special

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need to do better?

educational needs coordinator (SENCo) and the designated safeguarding lead. The provider is unable to fulfil her roles and responsibilities due to the limited

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need to do better?

18 September 2023 time she spends in the nursery. Not all staff have a secure understanding of all aspects of safeguarding practice. Newly recruited staff do not understand the process to follow should they need to report concerns about a colleague. This has a significant impact on their ability to ensure the safety and welfare of children. n Staff have a poor understanding of how to meet the needs of children with special educational needs (SEND). This is because the provider, who is also the SENCo, does not share targeted plans with staff. Children with SEND spend a considerable amount of time wandering around aimlessly. They have limited staff interaction. This means that they are at a disadvantage. n The provider does not share information to help key persons fulfil their role effectively. For example, staff are not aware of which two-year-old children have a completed progress check, and who still needs the required assessment.

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need to do better?

Furthermore, some children with SEND do not have an assigned key person. This means that children whose progress is less than expected are not receiving the support they need. n Parents comment positively about the nursery. They appreciate home visits from staff and settling-in visits before their children start the nursery. Parents receive information about their children's learning and development. This is shared through online platforms and verbally at drop off and collection times.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Weaknesses in leadership and management mean that children's safety and well- being are not assured. The provider does not ensure that all staff understand how to follow the nursery's policies and procedures, in relation to allegations against staff. Nevertheless, staff have received training and know who to tell if they have concerns that a child is at risk of abuse. The provider does not ensure that staff receive training and support for them to understand their roles and responsibilities, this includes not providing robust inductions. In addition, risk assessments and security arrangements are ineffective.

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Due date

ensure there is a named deputy who is capable to take charge in the manager's absence 02/10/2023

p.3

Due date

18 September 2023 provide staff with training, support and mentoring to ensure they have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities as well as implementing robust inductions for staff who take on new roles 02/10/2023

p.3

Due date

ensure that the premises are safe, secure and suitable for those children accessing services 02/10/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that each child is assigned a key person and that the key-person system is appropriately embedded to ensure every child's care is tailored to meet their individual needs 02/10/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure strategies for children with SEND are shared with staff, so children get the support they need to help them reach their full potential 02/10/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure all staff have sufficient knowledge and understanding of how to report concerns or allegations relating to other staff members to the local authority designated officer 02/10/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure there is an ambitious curriculum that is consistently implemented to provide ambitious challenge for children across all areas of learning 16/10/2023

p.4

Due date

improve staff understanding of assessment and ensure that the required progress checks are carried out when children are between two and three years of age. 16/10/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2660873 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10306717 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 48 Name of registered person Village Montessori Nursery School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07825290124 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Village Montessori Nursery School registered in 2021. The setting is located in Rowlands Castle, Hampshire. The nursery employs five staff to work with the children. Of these, two hold qualifications at level 3, one at level 2, and two are unqualified. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery has 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 A member of staff joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n A member of staff carried out a joint observation of an activity with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n Relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting was viewed. n The inspector spoke with the provider about the leadership and management of 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

18 September 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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