Maria Montessori Nursery School

Inspection of Maria Montessori Nursery School Brownlow Rooms, Station Approach, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 1FQ

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Meaningful bonds quickly form between children and staff at this friendly and welcoming nursery. The key-person system is securely implemented, and effective systems are in place for all staff to know what children are working towards. Staff communicate highly effectively with one another to meet children's needs. Babies turn to their key person for comfort and reassurance when needed. Older children confidently speak to visiting adults, sharing their ideas and experiences with them freely.

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The provision is good

Opportunities for children to learn outdoors are strong. Despite having no dedicated outdoor space, children benefit from a wide range of daily opportunities to explore the local community. Children fully understand the expectations when they are out, walking carefully together and listening to instructions as they go. Staff allow children time to explore, and they speak to the children about the world around them. For instance, they explain to children about the daisies in the shade being closed and those in the sun being open. Children look at the plants closely with great interest. These exciting opportunities help children to learn through a range of first-hand experiences.

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need to do better?

n Leaders reflect well and recognise how they can develop the nursery further. They have good oversight of the nursery and strive to provide the best opportunities for the children who attend. They engage positively with staff in relation to their professional development. They recognise the benefits of having a highly skilled workforce and support opportunities for staff to gain further qualifications and develop their knowledge. n Staff hold meaningful and natural discussions with children, building on children's conversational skills. Staff know the children well and use this information to help children make connections between their experiences and discuss what interests them. They incorporate children's own home experiences into their conversations. For instance, children speak about their experiences of going on a plane and staff build on this further. They go on to discuss watching gliders, as they know this is something children have also experienced. These

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need to do better?

strong interactions support children to become confident and articulate communicators. n Parents are complimentary about the nursery. They recognise the progress their children make and feel well informed about their children's learning. They speak positively about the support and advice that staff provide them with. Open communication between parents and key persons ensures that any gaps in children's learning or development are swiftly addressed. n Learning opportunities are carefully planned for children. Staff consider the best

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need to do better?

1 May 2025 way to build on what children already know and can do. Learning opportunities are planned based on children's interests and individual stages of development. Overall, the quality of staff interactions with children are strong. However, occasionally staff do not adjust planned activities or their interactions with children to ensure that children are challenged or have their learning extended in line with their individual targets and next steps. n Leaders have created a curriculum focused on children gaining the relevant skills they need for the next stage in their learning. Staff give careful consideration to the learning environment to support children to develop their independence and lead their own learning opportunities. Children enjoy taking on roles and responsibilities. For example, toddlers help to hand out plates to the younger babies in the room. Older children learn to serve themselves at mealtimes.

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need to do better?

Children develop strong levels of focus and attention as they follow their interests, becoming deeply engaged in what they choose. n Children enjoy listening to stories. Babies and toddlers gather around in the shade of a tree outside and listen intently to the story being read. Staff pause, allowing children time to look at the pictures. Staff demonstrate that they recognise the wide range of ages and abilities they work with. For instance, they use single words to share relevant vocabulary with babies, while they ask broader questions to toddlers, who are able to speak about what they see in the story in more detail.

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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 consistently provide challenging learning opportunities to help children make the best possible progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2714289 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10372910 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 24 Number of children on roll 21 Name of registered person MM NURSERIES LTD

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reference number

Telephone number 01442866290 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Maria Montessori Nursery School registered in 2022 and operates in Berkhamsted. The nursery is open for 47 weeks of the year. They operate Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff, who all hold appropriate qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery receives government funding for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector gathered the views of parents and took these into consideration. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

1 May 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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