MMI Preschool

Inspection of MMI Preschool 46 Leslie Grove, East Croydon CR0 6TJ

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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 in this inclusive and nurturing environment. They form secure emotional attachments with staff, who are very attentive to their needs. Staff implement a stimulating curriculum that encompasses the seven areas of learning and Montessori principles. This supports children to be highly motivated and engaged in their play and learning. Babies and older children enjoy messy and sensory play tremendously. Staff encourage babies to use their hands to explore cooked pasta and lentils and create marks with jumbo paint markers. Older children concentrate as they use their fine motor skills with tools to manipulate and make prints in dough. All of these activities help to strengthen skills in preparation for early writing.

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The provision is good

Staff are skilled in promoting children's language and communication development. They use a range of strategies, including providing a running commentary as babies play. Staff plan interesting activities, such as a game to find out what is in a bag, to help toddlers to identify objects and describe what they are used for. Staff extend older children's vocabulary during a colour-mixing activity. As children learn how to create a range of colours, staff introduce them to new words and their meaning, such as 'transparent' and 'pipettes'. As a result, all children become confident and skilful communicators. Staff have high expectations for all children. They teach and encourage children from an early age to say 'please' and 'thank you', share and take turns. Children's behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n Staff promote children's love of books well. Children have access to comfy book areas in all rooms. Staff implement regular story times and a monthly book loan system. This allows parents to enjoy story times at home to further promote their children's love of literature. n Staff introduce and promote mathematical concepts and language throughout the day. For instance, children in the pre-school room access large number cards. They learn how to identify numbers in tens, one hundred and one thousand. Younger children learn early subtraction as they work out how many monkeys are jumping on the bed when singing the song. Staff discuss the dangers of jumping on the bed and children suggest jumping on a trampoline would be better. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. The manager uses funding for individual children's needs. For instance, additional staff have been employed to provide one-to-one support for children.

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need to do better?

Staff have purchased resources to further children's learning opportunities. This helps children to access the full curriculum and promotes positive outcomes for them.

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need to do better?

21 May 2024 n Staff accurately monitor the progress of their key children to ensure that they make good progress in their development. They swiftly identify gaps in children's learning, and recognise and plan for their next steps in learning. n Children have good opportunities to learn about how things grow. For instance, they have planted onions, strawberries, mint and lavender in the garden. They visit the local market to observe the various fruits and vegetables. However, staff do not reinforce children's knowledge of healthy lifestyles, especially at mealtimes. For example, they do not discuss the nutritional value of the meals with children and support them to learn about the impact it has on their bodies. n Children in all areas are encouraged to be independent learners and to manage their own personal care needs. Older children put on their raincoats in the garden and self-serve their own meals. Younger children take on roles at

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need to do better?

lunchtime and support staff to hand out meals to their friends. All children take part in effective hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before meals and brushing their teeth after lunch. n Partnerships with parents and outside professionals are good. A number of professionals come into the setting to observe and support children who staff have identified need additional support. Staff regularly update parents of their children's development and progress through discussions, parents' meetings and online systems. Parents speak highly about the professional, friendly staff. They can see the progress their children are making, especially in their language, independence and social skills. Staff support parents to understand how they can further help their child to develop their learning at home. n The manager highly values staff's professional development to continuously improve the quality of the setting and the services available to children and their

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need to do better?

families. However, some areas of the curriculum are not implemented fully effectively to extend pre-school children's learning even further.

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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 encourage staff to extend children's understanding of healthy eating and why it is important for their bodies n implement the curriculum even more precisely to ensure that staff are extending pre-school children's learning in all areas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY407707 Local authority Croydon Inspection number 10339266 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 73 Number of children on roll 59 Name of registered person Modern Montessori International Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0208 686 2727 Date of previous inspection 6 July 2018

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Information about this early years setting

MMI Preschool is one of a group of two settings. It registered in 2010 and is located in the London Borough of Croydon. The setting is open for 48 weeks of the year, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. It provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 15 members of staff, including the manager, who work with children. Of these, 11 staff hold relevant childcare qualifications ranging from level 2 to 7. The setting has regard for the Montessori educational philosophy.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the setting. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together. n The inspector observed the quality of education, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector conducted a joint observation. n Parents shared their verbal and written views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector held several discussions with staff and children during the inspection.

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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

21 May 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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