Active Montessori Day Nursery

Inspection of Active Montessori Day Nursery Unit 1 Hartley Apartments, Perceval Square, College Road, Harrow HA1 1ER

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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

Children are happy and thoroughly enjoy their time at this warm and well- organised nursery. Staff provide a nurturing and stimulating learning environment where children experience an abundance of warmth and care. Positive interactions with staff offer children continuity and stability, helping them build strong, trusting relationships. Children develop their confidence well. For example, they eagerly explore the carefully planned indoor and outdoor environments. Staff are kind and patient and set clear, consistent expectations for behaviour. They are quick to recognise when children need help in managing their emotions and respond with timely support. For younger children, or those who find it harder to settle, staff offer gentle reassurance, such as singing softly or providing comforting cuddles to help them feel secure.

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The provision is good

All children progress well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. Staff are dedicated to providing a broad range of enriching experiences that support children in gaining essential skills for future learning. They understand and respond to the individual needs of children requiring extra support. Where additional funding is available, it is used effectively to meet individual needs. Staff also seek further support or funding when necessary and work collaboratively with other professionals to help close any gaps in children's learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff help children develop their communication skills by talking with them throughout the day and making good use of songs and stories. They introduce new vocabulary and ask questions that extend children's learning. Staff model language effectively and provide children with time to respond. They also use Makaton, visual aids and key words to support children's understanding. Children are learning that their efforts and contributions are valued, and they are becoming confident communicators. n Children benefit from a stimulating, well-balanced curriculum. The leader collaborates with staff to shape its intent, ensuring it meets the needs of all learners. Staff provide meaningful opportunities for children to revisit and practise emerging skills, helping them progress confidently through each stage of learning. Mathematics is thoughtfully woven into daily activities. Children are introduced to numbers through engaging songs, and many can count beyond

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need to do better?

five. They also explore mathematical concepts such as taller and smaller than. Children develop a positive, enthusiastic attitude towards mathematics. n Staff encourage children to develop independence and learn about healthy lifestyles. For example, children confidently manage their self-care needs, using knives, forks and spoons appropriately during mealtimes and managing personal

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need to do better?

23 May 2025 routines. They help themselves to healthy snacks and enjoy eating with friends in a relaxed, social environment. Staff engage them in discussions about healthy eating and the effects of unhealthy food, supporting their understanding of nutrition and well-being. Staff also remind children to drink water, which they can access independently. In addition, staff teach children how to brush their teeth and maintain good oral hygiene. n Parents speak positively about the nursery and the staff. They clearly attribute their children's progress to the nursery and the teaching they receive. Parents say that their children greatly enjoy attending, and the staff are friendly. These positive relationships support the overall emotional well-being of children. n Children learn about a variety of different cultures and how people are similar and different to themselves. Staff frequently take children on trips to places of

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need to do better?

interest in the local community and beyond. This helps children to gain an understanding of where they live and helps to prepare them for life in modern Britain. n Staff ensure children's physical well-being is well supported. Children engage in energetic outdoor play, developing their climbing skills and taking safe, controlled risks that strengthen their balance and coordination. They confidently navigate the available space while operating wheeled toys. However, staff provide fewer opportunities to enhance younger children's physical development through simple daily routines. n The leader works closely with staff on a day-to-day basis, offering good support through regular supervision and observing their interactions with children. However, she is not consistently robust in identifying areas of practice that require development, which limits opportunities to improve staff performance and move the overall quality of the provision to the next level.

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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 expand the opportunities for younger children to engage in a wider range of challenging physical activities, to further support their skill development n build upon the existing supervision and self-evaluation processes, to more precisely identify strengths and swiftly address areas for improvement in order to further enhance staff's knowledge and raise the overall quality of the provision to the next level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2711972 Local authority Harrow Inspection number 10388663 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 33 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person St Ephraim Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 020 8357 1795 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Active Montessori Day Nursery registered in 2023. It is based in the London Borough of Harrow. The setting is open all year round from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. There are eight members of staff, five of whom hold early years qualifications. One member of staff holds qualified teacher status. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and the leader completed a learning walk together across all areas of the nursery to discuss how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including staff's suitability to work with children. n The inspector observed children's activities and staff's teaching, indoors and outdoors. n The inspector carried out two joint observations with the leader. n The inspector spoke to parents, staff and children during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector held discussions with the leader at appropriate times during the inspection and during a scheduled meeting.

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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

23 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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