Smiles Montessori Pre-School (Bushfair) Limited

Inspection of Smiles Montessori Pre- School (Bushfair) Limited Smiles, Montessori Pre School, unit 1 The Fairway, Harlow CM18 6LY

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children show that they are happy at the setting. They arrive ready and eager to start their day. Older children meet the familiar staff at the door and go to join their friends for breakfast or to play. Babies come into their room with their parents, who help to settle them. Relationships between staff and children are warm and caring. Throughout the day, babies and children seek support and actively involve staff in their play. Children smile, laugh and frequently have expressions of deep concentration. Staff are highly skilled at promoting children's personal development.

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The provision is good

Older children easily articulate their feelings and enjoyment of the activities that staff provide. Children are confident, especially in the presence of the adults that they know well. Staff provide children with very clear guidance about how to behave. They are positive role models, and this helps to ensure that children understand what is expected of them.

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The provision is good

Children are active in the local community. They enjoy going to the library and the park. The setting has connections with local organisations such as care homes and the church. Children enjoy charity events, where they raise money for good causes that help others.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan a wide range of experiences for all children. They focus on supporting children to gain a firm foundation of knowledge and skills across each area of learning. Babies have a curriculum based on their needs and interests. Staff support babies to explore and discover things for themselves. As babies find toys that interest them, staff are ready to talk, introducing language, describing and listening to babies' words and sounds. n Staff promote children's good health to ensure that they are healthy and have good coordination and body strength. The curriculum covers essential aspects of children's development that help them to be able to make friends and work with others. Children have exceptional support to help them to be ready for school. They develop their concentration and learn to be sensible and responsible. The mealtime sessions show how well children behave and their high level of independence and skill as they prepare the tables and serve their food. Children

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need to do better?

embrace the experience and thoroughly enjoy the relaxed mealtimes. n Staff help all children to develop their communication skills, including children who speak English as an additional language. They start with signing to support speech. Staff use stories, rhymes and action songs to encourage children to hear and use the words they know and learn. Children have lots of time looking at books with staff. Children enjoy stories and use books to support their play and

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need to do better?

17 December 2024 learning. The setting uses familiar and traditional stories to help children build their knowledge and recall of events. This helps children to tell stories before they can read. n Staff plan well for children's learning using children's interests and seasonal and cultural events. They offer opportunities for children to build on what they already know and can do. This helps all children to make good progress. Children extend their knowledge of numbers, simple scientific concepts and the world around them. Occasionally, experiences are not precisely matched to individual children's immediate learning needs. n Parents speak positively about their experience and those of their children at the setting. They appreciate the frequent communication from staff and the high level of support available that is willingly offered. Parents recognise staff as advocates for the children. n Leaders have very good oversight of the setting. They monitor staff practice

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need to do better?

effectively to ensure the safety of children and that they receive the educational opportunities they need. The setting arranges training to help staff build their knowledge and keep up to date with current practice. Staff are well supported, and their welfare and well-being are a priority. The setting reviews and reflects on its practice. It takes steps to address concerns and put matters right. All staff, including midday assistants and kitchen staff, have safeguarding and first-aid training to ensure they can support the safe care of children.

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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 support staff to precisely match experiences to children's individual learning needs to ensure they are always meaningful.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2727404 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10377669 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 72 Number of children on roll 123

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Name of registered person

Smiles Montessori pre- school (Bush Fair) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01279422922 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Smiles Montessori Pre-School (Bushfair) Limited registered in 2023 and is situated in Harlow. The pre-school employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, 18 hold appropriate early years qualifications, including the provider, who has early years professional status. The pre-school is open from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except Christmas and bank holidays. The setting offers government funded places for children aged nine months to four years and disadvantaged children in receipt of funding.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The manager and the inspector completed a joint observation of a planned experience and evaluated the quality of education. n The inspector spoke to children and the staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n Parents shared their views about the setting with the inspector. These were considered as part of the overall evaluation. n The inspector held a number of discussions with leaders. She looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of all staff working at 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

17 December 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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