Montrose Pre-School

Inspection of Montrose Pre-School The Methodist Church, Locket Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA3 7ND

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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

A skilled and dedicated staff team provides a stimulating and enriching learning environment that draws children in and captivates their interest and curiosity. Staff establish strong relationships with children and parents. This means that children settle quickly and feel safe and secure. Staff know children very well, and this enables them to plan an exciting and ambitious curriculum. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are supported to make progress in their learning and development.

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The provision is good

Staff interact effectively with children to sustain their interest and motivation. For example, children enjoy building obstacle courses with soft blocks. They climb over and under and persevere carefully as they balance on slopes. This supports the development of their gross motor skills. Children are encouraged to navigate the obstacle courses in their own way, supporting them to problem solve. This helps children to understand how to move and position their bodies safely. Staff are positive role models. They gently support and guide children to develop good manners, and children learn to show respect and kindness towards others. For example, children offer their hand or a hug when another child is upset. This creates a caring and nurturing atmosphere.

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need to do better?

n Staff work well as a team. They have regular meetings to evaluate the effectiveness of the nursery and reflect on their practice and the experiences they provide for children. The manager makes good use of training, supervision meetings and peer observations to develop staff's knowledge and experiences. This helps to improve practice and outcomes for children. Staff plan and deliver a meaningful curriculum that supports all children to make progress and succeed in their learning. n Staff support children's health and physical development, providing regular access to outdoor activities. Children relish playing outdoors. They splash in puddles, scoop, and dig in the water and sandpit trays. They practise cutting pictures out of magazines with scissors, developing their small-muscle skills. All children benefit from fresh air and are able to practise and extend their physical skills. n Staff capture children's imaginations as they plan a large, unique role-play

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need to do better?

kitchen area, which is carefully designed so children can link their role play to real-life experiences. Children develop their imaginations as they make play dough and then use it to make cupcakes and decorate them with sprinkles. Staff encourage children to recognise and use numbers during their play. For example, children confidently count play dough cupcakes. Staff help children to learn early subtraction when they hand out the cupcakes to their peers. This helps to

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need to do better?

10 November 2023 enhance children's problem-solving skills. n Staff place a great deal of emphasis on developing children's communication and language skills. They introduce children to a wide range of new vocabulary as they play. For instance, staff engage in conversations with children as they make hand prints and paint poppies. Children are given time to respond to questions, and their responses are valued. They also learn how to listen to the views of others. n Parents are extremely positive about the pre-school. They comment that staff go 'above and beyond' for children, helping them to make progress and also giving extra support when required. Parents value the time that staff spend helping children to settle in. They feel reassured that staff provide a caring and safe environment where children learn to explore and develop their independence. n Staff model expected behaviour and place a great emphasis on reward and

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need to do better?

praise when children behave positively. They are good role models and exceptionally warm and nurturing. Children behave very well across the nursery. n Staff have high expectations of all children. Overall, children have good routines, which helps to promote their independence and self-care. They brush their teeth, tidy away, and make healthy choices at snack times. However, children are not consistently challenged to be even more independent in everyday routines.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a secure understanding of their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children. They have a good awareness of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and are confident in how to report their concerns. The manager ensures that staff keep their knowledge up to date with regular online and in-house training. This helps to strengthen their knowledge of safeguarding concerns, such as domestic abuse. Effective supervision and daily risk assessments help to keep children safe. The suitability of staff and committee members is determined through thorough recruitment processes. The ongoing suitability of staff is regularly reviewed.

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should:

n support children to become more independent through everyday routines.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 509061 Local authority Harrow Inspection number 10308099 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 18 Number of children on roll 23 Name of registered person Montrose Preschool Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 02088635800 Date of previous inspection 23 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Montrose Pre-School registered in 1992. It is situated in Wealdstone, in the London Borough of Harrow. The setting is open weekdays, from 8.45am to 4pm, and operates during school term time. There are four staff, each of whom holds relevant early years qualifications at level 3. The provider receives funding to offer 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 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 nursery. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. The inspector observed interactions between staff and children and considered the impact these have on children's learning. n Parents spoke to the inspector, and their views were taken into account. n The manager had a long discussion with the inspector and showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including the suitability

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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

10 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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