Buckingham Montessori School

Inspection of Buckingham Montessori School 19-25 Buckingham Road, Edgware HA8 6LY

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Staff use their strong, wide knowledge base to provide children with exciting learning experiences throughout the well-resourced and equipped setting. Excellent and challenging activities allow children to access all areas of learning and make superb progress in their development. Children move around all areas of the setting, taking the lead in their play experiences. Staff have effective observation, planning and assessments in place, which effectively supports children in their development. Children build their language skills with staff who are highly engaged in their teaching, narrating as children play to introduce new words. For example, during a storytelling activity of 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt', children are highly animated and enjoy using the words that sound just like the things it is describing. Together children endure swishy tall grass, deep cold river water, thick oozy mud and more.

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The provision is good

Staff have superb arrangements to care for children and support their well-being. New children settle very well into the setting following a comprehensive settling in period. Staffing arrangements are consistent, so children are very familiar with staff. A sound key-person system provides the children and families with reassurance and a strong line of communication. Staff create an environment where children feel safe and learn to respect one another. Behavioural expectations are clearly communicated to children. Despite the challenges that some children face through their development, behaviour in the nursery is exceptional. Events, such as mealtimes, are calm, social occasions and are testament to the high expectations executed by the staff team.

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need to do better?

n The nursery managers have an exceptional overview of the curriculum and they know what they wants all children to learn, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Both managers have a clear, strategic vision and place support for children at the heart of all nursery activities. n The quality of teaching is outstanding. Staff fully engage children in highly stimulating activities and present them with exciting challenges throughout the day. Children build on and remember what they already know and can do. Their experiences over time are planned to ensure that they have the essential skills they need for their move on to school. n Staff are outstanding roles models for children, which fully enhances children's social development and therefore their behaviour is excellent. n The premises are generally very clean, safe and secure. However, one area of the premises with an internal drain and vent in the flooring has become

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need to do better?

unhygienic. As this is not a classroom area, it does not have a significant impact

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need to do better?

28 May 2024 on children's safety. n Staff have a robust understanding of safeguarding and child protection; however some policies require updating to ensure they are relevant and current so that staff have the most up to date information. This does not impact significantly on safeguarding for children. n The managers have clear processes in place for recruitment, induction, supervisions and appraisals. Arrangements for staff's continued professional development ensure they have the same vision for the curriculum content and quality of teaching This helps to ensure that the staff team are highly qualified and receive highly effective support for their professional development. n Staff show genuine care and respect towards the children and treat them all as individuals. They know each child very well which significantly contributes to meeting each child's needs. Staff support children with SEND exceptionally well.

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need to do better?

At this multi-cultural setting, staff help children learn that everyone is different, and children show care and concern for one another. Children develop clear friendships and work exceptionally well together. n Parents praise the work and dedication of the managers and staff and appreciate that this is reflected in their children's progress. They say that they have noticed progress in their children's speech and language ability since they have started at the nursery. They remark on how their children benefit from the secure relationships they have with the staff, who know the children very well.

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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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Due date

ensure areas used by the children are suitable and comply with health and hygiene requirements; in particular, the internal drain in the children's side entrance area. 30/06/2024

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should:

n review and update the setting's policies and procedures.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY473633 Local authority Harrow Inspection number 10352340 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 150 Number of children on roll 158 Name of registered person Buckingham Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 02035 983994 Date of previous inspection 20 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Buckingham Montessori School registered in 2014. The nursery employs 30 members of childcare staff. Of these, 20 hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 2, 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery offers funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector viewed the premises and discussed the safety and suitability of these. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Staff spoke to the inspector throughout the inspection. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

28 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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