Blossom Montessori School

Inspection of Blossom Montessori School Connaught Road, Woking GU24 0HF

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

Staff greet children warmly at this welcoming nursery. These nurturing interactions are consistent throughout the day and reflect the secure relationships that staff have with children. Staff ensure that children who take time to settle, are offered the support they require. They consistently give children cuddles and provide lots of reassurance to help them to feel safe.

p.2

The provision is good

Before children begin in the nursery, staff speak with their parents to gather detailed information about children's likes, dislikes and preferences. Leaders and staff use this information to design a curriculum that seamlessly blends Montessori philosophy with the early years foundation stage. They plan activities using Montessori equipment to excite and enthuse children to learn. For example, children excitedly use their fingers to create letters in sand to help to promote early literacy skills. Children concentrate for long periods, skilfully transferring oats between containers. This helps children to strengthen the small muscles in their hands and develop coordination.

p.2

The provision is good

There is a strong focus on independence to prepare children for school. Staff encourage them to complete age-appropriate tasks with minimal assistance. Children illustrate this as they tidy away resources used for activities and confidently put on their coats and shoes before playing outdoors. Staff are clear and consistent across the nursery with behaviour management strategies. Children cooperate well together and play happily with their friends.

p.2

need to do better?

n All children make good progress with their communication and language skills. They engage enthusiastically in song and rhyme time, actively participating with props and singing with energy. Staff repeat speech and add new vocabulary as children play. For instance, as children build with construction toys, staff introduce words such as 'machinery'. This supports children to become effective communicators. n Overall, children benefit from opportunities to develop their mathematical skills. For example, when using dough, children are encouraged to count the number of items they have made. However, the mathematics curriculum is not fully embedded. Some staff do not consistently extend aspects of children's mathematical knowledge and language. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported extremely well. Staff offer focused interventions to children who require additional support. They use proven strategies to facilitate children's language

p.2

need to do better?

development when awaiting formal interventions from other professionals. The setting uses additional funding to ensure that disadvantaged children have

p.2

need to do better?

13 January 2025 access to all activities and have any additional help that they need. n Staff understand that it is important to teach children to be physically active. They plan a range of engaging activities to help develop children's gross motor skills. For instance, children enjoy joining in with action songs, stamping their feet and spinning around. They build their core strength and balance by navigating an engaging obstacle course outdoors. n Partnerships with parents are highly effective. Staff communicate information with parents through verbal handovers and via an online application. Parents value the daily updates they receive and comment positively on the progress their children make. This helps parents to support their child's continued learning at home. n Leaders are clear about how they want the nursery to develop. They identify strengths and areas for development as a team. Staff value the support,

p.2

need to do better?

guidance and coaching they receive from knowledgeable leaders. There is a strong focus on upskilling and developing staff's teaching skills and supporting their well-being. n Children are extremely happy, confident and independent when exploring their environment. They understand the routine of the day and what is expected of them. For instance, when children hear the tidy-up song, they know it is time to help tidy up. n Staff teach children the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. They provide guidance to parents about healthy packed lunches, when children first start at the nursery. Snack and mealtimes are sociable occasions. Children develop good table manners and independence. Staff successfully use this opportunity to talk about the importance of healthy eating and to develop children's understanding of where food comes from. n Diversity is promoted extremely well in the nursery. For example, staff learn key

p.3

need to do better?

words in children's home languages and use them in the setting to support children's understanding. They learn about the festivals that children celebrate at home and plan activities around these themes. This helps children to learn about the similarities and differences between themselves and others.

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 support all staff to develop confidence in implementing the curriculum for mathematics.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY479240 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 10367824 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 28 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Blossom Montessori & Pre-Schools Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01483 488292 Date of previous inspection 26 February 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Blossom Montessori School has been in operation since 1994 and re-registered in 2014 following the change in ownership status to a limited company. It is located in Woking. The nursery is open during term time only. Opening hours are from 9.15am to 3.45pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9.15am to 12.15pm on Friday. Parents also have the option of an early start from 8.45am to 9.15am. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs nine staff. Of these, one staff member has qualified teacher status and seven hold appropriate qualifications between level 2 and level 6. The nursery follows the Montessori approach to teaching.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke with staff and interacted with children. n Parents shared their views about the setting with the inspector. n The inspector carried out joint observations with the manager. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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

13 January 2025 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