Apple Tree Montessori Nursery

Inspection of Apple Tree Montessori Nursery Harrow Cricket Club, Wood End Road, HARROW, Middlesex HA1 3PP

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

This setting offers a welcoming environment where children feel secure and valued. Warm interactions with staff help children to settle quickly. There is effective communication between staff and parents and carers. This ensures consistent care and support for children. Staff build strong relationships with children, understanding their individual needs. They provide babies with care and reassurance, fostering their happiness and security. Staff teach children about the rules and boundaries in the setting. They model good manners. Children respond positively, saying, 'You are welcome,' when they receive thanks. They display kindness, share resources and take turns with their friends.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff encourage active listening and emotional expression to foster children's good behaviour. Staff offer a comprehensive curriculum, with a strong focus on literacy. Babies engage with books and are exposed to descriptive vocabulary. They respond positively to the familiar songs that staff sing. Toddlers acquire new words related to weekly themes and staff encourage them to incorporate them into their play. Pre-school children bring these themes to life through role playing activities. This enhances children's ability to recall information and make connections with new ideas and concepts. This approach helps children to develop essential skills and knowledge in preparation for school.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider's curriculum is clear and ambitious. It is designed to promote children's communication, confidence, creativity and curiosity. Children experiment and freely explore their learning environment. They associate their prior knowledge with new learning opportunities. n Leaders know how to adapt the curriculum to further support the most able children and those who need additional support. However, the implementation of the curriculum is less consistent for younger children than it is for older children. This means that, at times, staff do not fully extend younger children's skills, which impacts on their engagement and attitudes to learning. n Staff are effective at supporting children's communication and language development. When reading books to children, staff sustain their concentration, read engagingly and discuss their predictions about the story with them. Children learn to spot patterns in rhyming vocabulary. They enjoy matching their

p.2

need to do better?

props with the characters and objects from the story, and all join in with the chants in the story. Staff create activities that foster children's love of reading and language through the recounting and retelling of children's favourite stories. Pre-school children are confident and fluent communicators. n Children learn life skills, such as by setting out labelled place mats and bowls at snack time. Staff encourage children to pour their own milk and to take turns in

p.2

need to do better?

30 April 2025 cutting fruit and passing it around. Children take on responsibilities, behave well and assist each other. Overall, staff teach children about some of the things that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They discuss healthy foods and teach children about the impact of too much sugar on the body. Children have daily physical exercise and learn about good oral health. n Staff promote children's physical development well. Younger children learn to balance and climb confidently in the outdoor area. Staff support children to learn how to ride scooters by pushing with one leg. Older children skilfully dig using small hand tools. They show resilience and determination as they carefully coordinate their arms to pick up and tip out leaves and twigs from the bucket to make their 'silly soup' in the garden. Children demonstrate good strength and physical skills. n The procedures for identifying and supporting children with special educational

p.2

need to do better?

needs and/or disabilities are well established. Staff use their observations and assessments to spot when children may fall behind in their learning. Parents appreciate the care and support their children receive at the setting. They note the attentiveness of staff and the timely feedback on their children's progress. n Staff are happy and feel supported. New staff benefit from thorough inductions and regular checks on their well-being. They access professional development such as training. Leaders ensure that all staff receive coaching and mentoring. However, at times, the feedback and development points from leaders lack focus. This leads to inconsistent interactions between staff and children.

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 capabilities to address the learning needs of children in mixed- age groups, in particular the youngest children n enhance feedback to staff, to help them to clearly understand the specific actions required to extend their practice and achieve better outcomes for all children.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY444921 Local authority Harrow Inspection number 10376284 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 14 Name of registered person Apple Tree Day Nursery (UK) Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07940 784970 Date of previous inspection 23 May 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Apple Tree Montessori Nursery registered in 2012 and is situated in the London Borough of Harrow. It opens all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except on some bank holidays. There are five members of staff working with the children, four of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6. The setting provides government-funded childcare.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The manager spoke with the inspector about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n Parents shared their views about the setting, and the inspector took account of these.

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

30 April 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