Seedlings Montessori at Moorlands

Inspection of Seedlings Montessori at Moorlands Moorlands Primary School, Kesteven Way, Southampton, Hampshire SO18 5RJ

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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 happy and settled in this nurturing nursery. They are greeted by friendly staff who help them engage in a range of enticing activities. Staff are passionate about their role and provide an inclusive nursery. The manager works closely with parents, during the settling-in period, to obtain information about children's care needs. As such, new children are supported well to transition into the nursery.

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The provision is good

Staff successfully develop children's love of books. They encourage children to choose stories that interest them. Staff take the time to sit with children and read. Children listen very attentively. They enthusiastically repeat familiar phrases and predict what will happen next. This helps them to become confident communicators. Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their small muscles. For example, children patiently thread items onto string to make necklaces. This helps them practise the skills they need for early writing.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. They learn to be kind and respect others. Staff consistently teach the children the nursery routine well. This means children know from the outset what is expected of them. For example, when they finish an activity, they tidy it away ready for the next child. All children demonstrate a positive attitude to learning.

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need to do better?

n The staff team provide a broad curriculum that includes a wide range of stimulating activities. Staff use their knowledge of children's individual needs and progress to move them on in their learning and development. Overall, staff are skilful and interact with children well. However, occasionally, they do not extend and challenge children's learning, particularly during children's self-chosen activities. n Staff monitor children's progress well. They have a clear understanding of how to support children's learning across the early years foundation stage. Staff complete regular assessments against both the Montessori curriculum and the EYFS. This helps them identify any gaps in children's learning. n Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is well embedded. The special educational needs and disability coordinator (SENDCo) uses her knowledge and skills to implement targeted support for

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need to do better?

children who are at risk of falling behind. For example, staff introduce activities to support children's speech and language, while they are awaiting support from outside professionals. This means all children with SEND make good progress from their individual starting points. n Children enjoy being active in the nursery garden. Staff incorporate counting into

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need to do better?

26 February 2024 fun games. For example, they encourage children to count when playing 'What's the time Mr Wolf?' and staff carefully count out the correct number of steps as they try and reach the wolf. Children laugh and run as they take turns being 'Mr Wolf'. This supports their physical development and early maths. n Staff promote healthy eating and oral hygiene well. Children enjoy brushing toy teeth. They demonstrate their understanding as they talk about 'brushing the germs off'. Furthermore, staff offer advice and support to parents on how to promote good habits with food. This helps children and parents to make well informed decisions about the foods that they bring in their packed lunches. n Staff encourage children to become independent in their self care, ready for the move to school. Children take off their coats and hang them up when they have finished playing outdoors. Staff encourage children to wash their hands and use

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need to do better?

the toilet independently. n Parents partnership is strong. Parents speak highly of the setting and staff. They report that their children make excellent progress in their speech and language development. Parents appreciate the effective communication methods used to share information, which helps them to continue their children's learning at home. n Although there are some supervision procedures in place, these do not focus enough on identifying and addressing any areas for improvement in staff practice, to help them continually develop their skills. In addition, at times, there is some confusion about staff's roles and responsibilities, and the manager also does not always receive consistent support from the nominated person to help her fulfil her role.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n support staff to more consistently recognise opportunities to fully extend and build on children's learning during self-chosen activities n strengthen the arrangements for providing coaching, training and support for the manager and staff, to promote their ongoing professional development and to ensure they have clear roles and responsibilities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 161028 Local authority Southampton Inspection number 10311765 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 25 Number of children on roll 21 Name of registered person Prochazka, Helen

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reference number

Telephone number 023 8046 2555 Date of previous inspection 10 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Seedlings Montessori at Moorlands registered in 2001. It operates on the site of Moorlands Primary School, in Bitterne, Southampton. The setting is open Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm, for 48 weeks a year. There are three members of staff, all of whom hold early years qualifications. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 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 manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during a planned activity. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request, including documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff working at 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

26 February 2024 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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