Olive Tree Montessori

Inspection of Olive Tree Montessori Manor Park Community Centre, Villiers Road, SLOUGH SL2 1NP

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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 warmly greeted by friendly staff as they arrive at the nursery. Staff know the children well and build strong bonds with them. Staff find out information from parents when the children first start. This helps them to meet the children's needs and plan activities to give children new experiences. For example, children use a workbench and learn how to use screwdrivers and hammers.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and development. Children enjoy exploring the indoor and outdoor areas. They develop their physical skills as they use climbing equipment and negotiate space when riding on bicycles. The carefully thought out environment is designed to meet all children's needs. Children confidently choose from a balance of child-led and adult-led activities that the staff plan to support the topics they are working on. For example, children learn about people who help us. They engage in activities with mud and vegetables to support their learning about farmers and about where fruit and vegetables come from. This helps children to make good progress in their learning and development, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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The provision is good

Staff model positive behaviour and language. Children learn and use good manners. Children respond well to praise and are keen to show their achievements. For example, children playing with play dough proudly hold their creations up to show other children and adults. Staff then encourage them to talk about and describe what they have made.

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need to do better?

n The enthusiastic manager has a clear vision of what he wants children to learn and achieve during their time at the setting. He plans an ambitious curriculum that supports all children's needs and learning. The manager recognises the needs of families of children who attend the setting and provides support and guidance. n The manager provides staff with ongoing support and professional development opportunities. Staff have regular meetings and supervisions. The manager recognises the need to continue with this support to further build on staff's teaching skills. Staff report that they are happy and feel supported. However, the manager does not have systems in place for his own support and supervision. n Children's personal, social and emotional development is supported well. Staff encourage children to think and talk about their feelings and express these in an appropriate way. Children play alongside and with each other. Older children

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need to do better?

build strong friendships. Staff teach children to share and take turns. However, on occasion, staff are not fully effective at supporting children to understand the rules and boundaries.

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need to do better?

9 November 2023 n Staff support children to be independent and to look after their environment. For example, children playing at the mud table use brooms and a dustpan and brush to clear any spilt mud from the floor. n Parents are happy with the nursery. They report that their children make good progress. They appreciate the regular feedback that informs them about their child's day at the setting and how they are progressing. Parents use this information, as well as suggestions from staff, to support learning at home. Parents report that children are prepared well for their next stage in learning, such as moving to school. n Staff support children's mathematical development well. They encourage children to use the language of size and weight, such as 'big', 'small', 'large' and 'heavy'. Staff incorporate counting into everyday activities. For example, during snack time, children choose which fruit they would like. Staff ask how many

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need to do better?

pieces they would like, and children count these out. n Children's speech and language are supported well. Staff learn about children's home language when children first start. Children join in confidently with staff when singing in other languages. Staff use simple sign language effectively to support children who speak English as an additional language or who are identified as having speech and language delays. n The manager is passionate about ensuring that children with SEND are supported well. He works with other professionals to ensure the environment is inclusive. Concerns are identified swiftly, and staff support parents to make referrals. Managers and staff work with other agencies to ensure that children receive consistency and the support and help they need.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff have good safeguarding knowledge. They can talk about the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm or abuse. Staff understand the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child or an adult, and they know the agencies to whom to report their concerns. Recruitment procedures are followed to ensure that staff are checked for their suitability to work with children. Staff implement risk assessments, and daily checks are in place to ensure the safety of children. Children move freely around the available space, and staff communicate well, such as to ensure that children are supervised as they move from indoor to outdoor areas.

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should:

n strengthen systems to provide regular supervision and support for managers n give children clear explanations to help them understand rules and boundaries.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440121 Local authority Slough Inspection number 10314212 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 47 Name of registered person Olive Tree Montessori Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01753 574591 Date of previous inspection 14 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The Olive Tree Montessori registered in 2011. It operates from rooms within the Manor Park Young People's Centre, in Slough, Berkshire. The nursery opens during school term times, on weekdays, from 8.30am until 3.30pm. The nursery employs nine staff, of whom one holds a level 6 qualification and seven hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two-, three- and four-years old.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the nursery and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The manager spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 joint observations of group activities with the manager. 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

9 November 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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