Ashley Cross Montessori

Inspection of Ashley Cross Montessori 29 Chapel Road, POOLE, Dorset BH14 0JU

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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

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The provision is good

Children enter this welcoming nursery and settle happily on arrival. Staff are kind and caring and form positive and friendly attachments with children. Babies receive plenty of cuddles and affection from staff, and appear happy and secure. Staff are sensitive to children's individual needs and give them good support when children move on within the nursery. Older children move around the play areas confidently and show positive attitudes to learning.

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The provision is good

The manager and staff plan a broad and balanced curriculum. There is a focus on developing children's independence and confidence. Staff sequence learning effectively to help children to build on their skills and understanding. For example, babies begin to thread large beads, developing their manipulative skills. They smile broadly and say, 'I did it!' as staff praise their efforts. Older children show good levels of dexterity when they carefully use scissors and create models using play dough.

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The provision is good

Children get to know the established boundaries that help them feel secure. Staff gently guide their good behaviour and explain, for example, why running may not be a good idea indoors, but they can enjoy running safely outside. Children interact positively with their friends and play cooperatively. They show kindness to others, for example, by sharing resources.

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need to do better?

n Parents speak positively about the nursery and say that their children make good progress. They particularly appreciate the caring staff and comment that they feel children are safe and secure in their care. There are very effective systems in place for staff to share what children have been enjoying in the nursery. Parents are able to share children's experiences at home which supports a consistent approach to learning. n Staff get to know children well and interact with them positively to encourage their learning. They allow children time to explore and experiment, skilfully commenting and praising their efforts. However, at times, staff miss opportunities to extend children's knowledge and skills to deepen and extend their learning even further. n Overall, children develop good communication skills. Babies enthusiastically choose the songs they want to sing and smile with happiness as they sing and

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need to do better?

dance together. Staff repeat words and phrases to support their language development. Older children gather eagerly as staff bring stories to life. Staff encourage and value children's comments about the characters in the book and promote children's language and literacy skills well. n The management team is very reflective of the practice in the nursery and the

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need to do better?

28 March 2025 valuable service the team provides for parents. For example, the management team regularly reviews the nursery by analysing video footage to make improvements that make a positive difference for children. Staff recruitment, induction and supervision is effective. n Staff say they enjoy working with the children and feel well supported by the management team, who provide many opportunities for professional development. The manager values the individual skills that staff bring to the nursery, such as teaching children about other languages and cultures. n Staff monitor children's development conscientiously and promptly notice any gaps in their learning. The management team supports staff effectively when children need extra help. Staff make timely referrals to other professionals to ensure that children receive the specialist support they need. n Children become confident in their daily routines and develop independence

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need to do better?

during times in their day such as mealtimes. For example, they help to set the table and wash up dishes afterwards. However, staff do not organise mealtimes effectively and older children have to wait for long periods of time to be served their food. This means children become restless and noisy. Staff are unable to support children's language and social skills as well as possible. n There are effective links with other providers and local schools. For example, staff share information about children's achievements so that there is consistency and continuity for children. Teachers from some local schools visit the nursery to get to know children when the time comes for them to go to school. Children move on to future education with confidence and self- assurance.

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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 review the organisation of mealtimes so that the length of time children spend waiting is reduced to enable staff to support children's language and social skills further n strengthen the quality of staff engagement and their interactions with children to fully support and extend their learning consistently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY382378 Local authority Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Inspection number 10380767 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 30 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person Shepherd Montessori Schools Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01202735521 Date of previous inspection 21 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Ashley Cross Montessori is part of Shepherd Montessori Schools group and registered in 2008. It is located in Poole, Dorset. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 5pm for 51 weeks of the year. It receives funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 12 members of staff. Of these, the manager and one other staff member hold a qualification at level 6 and eight staff hold a level 3 qualification. Two other members of staff hold a qualification at level 2. The nursery follows the Montessori method of teaching.

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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 The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation and discussed the children's learning and development. 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 March 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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