Grace Montessori School

Inspection of Grace Montessori School 60 Brougham Road, LONDON E8 4PD

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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

The manager and staff at this Montessori setting create a warm, safe and inviting environment, where children are eager to enter and begin their day. As children arrive, they call out and greet their friends on the way in. They happily separate from their parents and carers as they enter their rooms.

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The provision is good

Children quickly choose something of interest from the wide range of resources and experiences which staff provide. They settle, showing high levels of concentration as they complete tasks, singing to themselves as they paint pictures, or working together to complete a map puzzle of Europe. Children have a real can-do attitude. They show determination and resilience to complete tasks, even when they first encounter difficulty. The manager, along with staff, have designed an ambitious curriculum that captures the imaginations of all children.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of children and as such, children's behaviour is good. Children understand the rules and expectations of the setting. They are quick to remind others when they are not following the rules. Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well. Staff are proactive in meeting with parents to discuss any concerns or gaps in children's learning. They make early referrals to ensure that children receive the support they need.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff within this setting are passionate about ensuring that all children receive the best start to their early education. Staff feel well supported, meeting weekly with the manager. This ensures that all staff know how children within all rooms are progressing and supports them to make plans for the following week. All staff know their key children well. Children make good progress and are well prepared for the next stage of their learning. n Staff encourage children to be independent and make their own choices. Older children juice grapefruits ready for snack, while younger children spread cream cheese onto wraps and peel hard boiled eggs. Children are respectful of the environment and tidy away each activity once they have finished, putting it back on the shelf for someone else to select. n The way that staff organise large-group circle-time activities in individual rooms does not currently meet the needs of all children. Some children do not currently

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need to do better?

enjoy sitting and listening to these discussions or stories which disrupts the session for all children. The manager is aware of this and is working with staff to find alternative ways to organise this period of the day. However, this is not yet embedded to have had sufficient impact. n Staff offer children a wide range of extra-curricular experiences. Across the week, they enjoy physical education sessions, yoga, ballet and forest school.

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need to do better?

4 July 2024 These activities help children to explore nature and learn to move their bodies in a range of ways to express themselves. As children are currently learning about musical instruments, staff bring in their cello to share with children. As the large case is opened, children gasp 'wow' as the instrument is removed. They listen intently to the sounds the cello makes and show curiosity by asking questions. n Children learn about the world around them and enjoy spending time in nature. They use wheelbarrows to move soil around the garden and water the plants. Children use garden equipment imaginatively to create castles where they defend their territory against 'monsters'. Staff encourage children to gather in the garden to release butterflies they have watched emerge from caterpillars. Children gasp in awe and wonder as the butterflies make their way to the top of the enclosure and fly off into the garden for the first time.

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need to do better?

n Staff recognise the emotional well-being of all children. Children talk about their feelings and recognise when they need time out to regulate, choosing to sit by the compact-disc player and listen to some classical music until they would like to join in with other activities again. n Partnership with parents is excellent. Parents talk enthusiastically about the impact the setting and its staff have had on their children. They describe the excellent communication the setting offers so they feel well informed about their children's progress.

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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 continue to consider how to organise larger group activities so all children are able to choose how they wish to participate to get the most out of discussions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY471003 Local authority Hackney Inspection number 10351441 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 40 Number of children on roll 52 Name of registered person Mulla, Shamim

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reference number

Telephone number 07512 410002 Date of previous inspection 7 September 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Grace Montessori School registered in 2013. It is run by a private provider in a community hall in Hackney. The setting is open during term time, from 8.45am to 3.30pm on Monday to Thursday, and from 8.45am to midday on Friday. The setting employs eight members of childcare staff, who all hold appropriate early years qualifications. Seven staff hold Montessori qualifications. The setting follows the Montessori approach to education. It offers 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 manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in 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

4 July 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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