The Montessori House Ltd

Inspection of The Montessori House Ltd The Old School, School Road, Ardington, Wantage, Oxfordshire OX12 8PN

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children show confidence and that they feel safe and secure at this welcoming setting. Staff know children well and provide a range of learning experiences for them to enjoy.

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The provision requires improvement

Overall children are happy, and staff build and develop strong bonds with them, offering comfort and kindness to help them settle. This build children's emotional development as they enjoy cuddles from attentive staff.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff read and share favourites books with children as they sit and enjoy looking at and talking about the pictures in the book. This helps children build their communication and language development. Children enjoy learning about the life cycle of frogs and staff introduce new vocabulary and explanation to support children's interest and learning.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff know the children well and can identify current learning and next steps. However, the curriculum is not yet fully embedded to support challenging and focused teaching from staff and help children build on their next steps in learning and development. For example, staff do not focus enough on what they want children to learn from activities. Inconsistencies in teaching impact on children's attitudes to and engagement in their learning and overall progress.

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need to do better?

n Managers provide some support, coaching and training to staff by modelling practice within the rooms with the children. They set examples of the practice they aim to develop within the staff team. However, at times they are not consistent in providing the direction and information needed to support staff to build their skills and confidence in delivering the aims of the curriculum. n Managers are keen to provide an environment that supports children's learning and development. They are developing a curriculum that is ambitious and inclusive for all children attending the nursery. However, the curriculum is not yet embedded. For example, staff know what it is they want children to learn however, they do not consistently support children's interests and provide the teaching they need for children to build on their skills and knowledge. Managers acknowledge that there are improvements be made to develop the provision to

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need to do better?

provide the challenge and teaching to help children make the progress they are capable of. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified quickly and appropriate referrals are made. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals involved in children's care to implement targeted plans to support children's individual needs.

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need to do better?

28 February 2025 n Staff support and encourage children's interest in books and stories. They show enthusiasm and encourage children's curiosity as they choose and explore a range of reading materials. Children focus during this engagement with staff and develop new vocabulary as they join in with creating their own stories. n Children benefit from many opportunities to develop their physical skills. They develop their balance and coordination as they practise riding balance bikes in the garden. Staff help them to learn how to negotiate the space around them safely. Children show confidence as they explore and secure their skills. n Staff comfort children when they are upset and need reassurance. This supports children's emotional well-being. Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their independence skills, such as hand washing, pouring drinks and helping to serve their own meals. n Staff follow daily routines to support children to know what to expect and when.

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need to do better?

However, they often do not ensure that these are organised effectively or communicated to the children so that they fully know what is happening and when. For example, children often spend too long waiting for their lunch. As a result, some children become restless and unsettled so they begin to wander around the room. This creates an environment that can feel a little chaotic and this impacts on children's behaviour. n Staff have developed positive relationships with parents. There is open and ongoing communication to share what children have enjoyed and what they have been learning. Parents speak highly of the staff team and the care provided for their children. Parents are assured that their children are safe and settled at nursery.

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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 that all staff receive support, training and coaching opportunities to improve the quality of teaching to help them understand how to implement the curriculum 30/04/2025

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should:

n support staff to provide consistent interactions and support to help guide children's behaviour and promote their engagement in good-quality play and learning experiences n improve how daily routines are organised and managed to ensure staff understand what is expected of them and of children, to enable staff to consistently promote children's well-being

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2811148 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10381238 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 42 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person The Montessori House Wantage Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07946594091 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Montessori House Ltd registered in 2024 and is situated in Ardington, near Wantage, Oxfordshire. The nursery operates 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children. 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 nursery.

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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 February 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.

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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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