Chagford Montessori Nursery School

Inspection of Chagford Montessori Nursery School Montessori School, Moor Downes, Moor Park, Chagford, NEWTON ABBOT, Devon TQ13 8BX

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children and their families are warmly welcomed to the nursery by the staff. Parents appreciate the values of the setting and feel privileged that their children attend. Staff promote children's emotional well-being, providing flexibility for families as children settle in and supporting younger children to learn to become independent. Children learn to persist as they develop new skills, such as pegging up their own paintings to dry. Children are confident in the clear routines that staff provide; they learn to choose resources for themselves and place them back on the shelf when they have finished with them. Adults tune into children with great sensitivity to how they might be feeling. They notice when children are less confident, for example, and offer support to help them feel safe and secure. Older children learn to maintain concentration as they listen to stories with an adult, and younger children find comfort in snuggling up to an adult with a story.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are curious and eager to learn, and staff provide an ambitious curriculum. Older children become confident in their own ideas and use these in imaginative games in the garden. They collect guttering and balls, playing together collaboratively with their friends as they compare the speed of the balls rolling down the slope. Younger children develop social skills and friendships as they dig together in the sand, and this helps to prepare them for the next stage in their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders ensure that staff work together as a team and meet regularly to review their policies and to undertake training together. Leaders ensure that new staff complete essential training and help staff to further develop their teaching and learning skills. Staff develop their understanding about how to improve children's language and support gaps in their development. Staff make effective use of additional funding to purchase resources, such as large jigsaws for children to collaborate together. n Staff support children's communication and language skills effectively. As children play with autumn objects outside, staff introduce new vocabulary, such as 'spiky and smooth', as younger children explore conkers. Staff help children to find out about mathematical ideas through their play, such as 'more and less' and 'bigger and smaller', and they encourage children to practise counting throughout the day. Occasionally, staff are less clear about the sequence of

p.2

need to do better?

when children might begin to write numbers, as they invite younger children who are not yet making clear marks to write numbers on a chalkboard. n Children develop a love of books as staff regularly offer opportunities for stories to be shared together. They enjoy choosing their favourite books and gather around the adults together. Staff encourage children to begin to hear and identify some sounds in readiness for moving on to school. They support

p.2

need to do better?

1 October 2024 parents' understanding about the teaching of early reading skills, and the children come together as a group to share objects from home that match the sounds. Staff do not always identify carefully enough where group activities do not meet the needs of younger children, and some lose interest as they wait for a turn. n Staff communicate effectively with parents, who comment that they appreciate the regular information they receive about their children's learning, both in conversation as well as electronically. They work in partnership with health professionals to share information about children's early development. Staff work closely with families regarding children's routines, such as helping children to learn to use a potty. n Children begin to learn about health and well-being as they prepare their own healthy snacks. They develop strength and agility as they climb outside on the climbing frame, and staff help them to learn about safety as they remember to

p.2

need to do better?

'hold on with both hands' on the climbing frame. n Children are encouraged to follow their interests, which helps them to become absorbed and build concentration as they play. Staff ensure that there are familiar toys for younger children to enjoy as they settle into their day, for example playing with toy vehicles and bricks on the carpet. Staff extend the learning of older children. For example, some children who are interested in insects are helped to discover mini bugs in the garden. Other children become confident to use imaginative ideas, such as finding 'golden treasure' at the bottom of the sandbox.

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

should:

n enhance staff's knowledge of the developmental stages of younger children, in order to provide an even more effective curriculum n manage group activities to ensure younger children are able to focus more and extend their learning further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY359539 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10354927 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 20 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Chagford Montessori Nursery School

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01647 433676 Date of previous inspection 12 November 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Chagford Montessori Nursery School operates from the town of Chagford, in Devon. The nursery registered under the current management in 2007 and follows the Montessori method of teaching. The nursery is open Monday to Thursday, from 9am to 4pm, during school term times. It receives funding for children aged two, three and four years. There are four staff; two have qualifications at level 6, one has a qualification at level 4 and one has a qualification at level 3.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to staff during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation together of an activity that took place outside.

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

1 October 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