The Little Learners Montessori at Cricklewood

Inspection of The Little Learners Montessori at Cricklewood St Vitus Hall, 35 Cricklewood Lane, London NW2 1HR

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this nurturing nursery. All children make excellent progress in their learning and development. Staff are enthusiastic and know each individual child incredibly well. Children settle with ease. They join in with a range of exciting experiences. Children benefit from excellent support from staff, who understand each child's interests and unique ways of learning. Leaders and staff build a community approach that is inclusive to all, creating an inspiring curriculum through which children thrive.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Staff strongly promote inclusion and diversity throughout the setting. They develop deep knowledge of each child and the lifestyles and backgrounds of them and their families. Staff comprehensively join children in learning about their similarities and differences. They go to great efforts to ensure all children feel celebrated in the embracing environment. For example, children are encouraged to explore each other's ethnicity, culture, and religious beliefs. Children bring in belongings that symbolise their culture or have importance to them. Family members come into the setting to help their child discuss special festivities that they celebrate and read stories to build on this knowledge.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Staff create opportunities for all children to be highly independent and make choices in their play. For instance, cleaning stations with coloured wipes and sponges and brushes and dust pans are available, to support children to be responsible and clean up after messy play. Children have high levels of well-being, and their behaviour is excellent. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), learn skills that support them in future social situations and make very strong friendships.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager has a vision for all children, to learn and develop freely towards their own interests. Staff and children embrace the celebrations of various cultures and religious events, embedding a deep and meaningful respect for the diversity of all people. This is reflective of the various cultures and beliefs of the children who attend. Staff take time to get to know about the important traditions and celebrations of each family. This is then shared in the nursery. Furthermore, children make their own resources, such as houses made from wooden sticks, for story telling time. This develops children's character as they feel valued and become responsible people, who make a positive contribution to their own provision and learn about the wider world. n The quality of teaching is superb. For instance, staff plan activities to promote positive relationships with new siblings. They plan outdoor areas filled with dolls,

p.2

need to do better?

nappies, clothes, and blankets, for toddlers to learn how to take care of babies.

p.2

need to do better?

16 April 2024 Children, are highly engaged and show a real passion for learning. n Staff are highly skilled in supporting children's communication and language, including for those who speak English as an additional language. Staff spend time learning several key words in children's home languages to help them settle and to support their well-being. Staff are consistent in engaging children in meaningful back-and-forth conversations. Books and singing are an integral part of the day. n Staff skilfully incorporate mathematics into play. Children have a fantastic knowledge of fractions in relation to their ages. For example, children tell staff they have filled half and three quarters of the beaker with blue coloured liquid. Staff expertly use children's interests to build upon their knowledge. For example, they use children's knowledge of fractions to help them tell the time. n Children's independence in all aspects of their learning and self-care is superb.

p.2

need to do better?

Even the youngest children demonstrate their independence as they prepare their own snack and breakfast, cut their own fruit, wash up their plates and cups and skilfully pour their own drinks. Children develop a desire to be independent and responsible. n Staff members consistently model respectful behaviour and boundaries. They have the highest expectations of children's behaviour. Children follow simple rules and regulate their own behaviour, with gentle reminders from staff. Children demonstrate exemplary behaviour, manners, and conduct. n Children with SEND are supported extremely well. The passionate and knowledgeable special educational needs coordinator, who is also the manager, builds close and professional relationships with parents, carers and other agencies. Individualised plans for children with SEND are regularly reviewed and discussed with parents. Staff communicate well about all children, ensuring the

p.3

need to do better?

environment and activities provided are inclusive for everyone. n Staff are extremely proud to be a part of this exceptional nursery. They speak highly of the 'hardworking and committed' manager. The manager takes time to listen to staff. Together, they think of ways that they can improve their outstanding provision further. Staff access training to further develop their highly professional skills. they are motivated to provide the finest education and care for children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY449566 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10335448 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 86 Name of registered person Little Learners Montessori Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 0208 450 3322 Date of previous inspection 15 June 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Little Learners Montessori at Cricklewood registered in 2012 and is run by Little Learners Montessori Ltd. The nursery operates from the grounds of St Agnes Centre, within the London Borough of Barnet. It is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm for 48 weeks of the year. A team of 17 staff work with children and 13 hold relevant early years qualifications ranging from level 3 to level 6. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery follows the Montessori philosophy of teaching.

p.4

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 viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager, and the inspector carried out a joint observation during a group activity. n The inspector held a long discussion with the manager and provider. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

16 April 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6