Faith Montessori Nursery Ltd

Inspection of Faith Montessori Nursery Ltd 262 - 264 Stanstead Road, LONDON SE23 1DE

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children are happy and settled at this nursery, and all children receive high-quality experiences and opportunities. Leaders have a strong focus on inclusion, ensuring children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and their families get the support they need to thrive. Staff receive the training they need to provide child-centred, responsive care. Staff have created a welcoming and accessible environment that includes sensory areas and quiet spaces. This ensures staff can put their skills and knowledge into practice when managing behaviour, supporting children one to one and teaching children to regulate their emotions.

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The provision is outstanding

The key-person system is securely embedded in staff's practice. All children benefit from personalised learning plans and a thoughtful, well-sequenced curriculum. Staff use observations and assessments to consider each child's strengths, interests and needs. Staff make the most of every opportunity to extend children's learning further. For example, as the holidays approach, children discuss what they need for their trips, pack suitcases and head off on excursions in the nursery garden.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff are highly successful at giving children a rich set of experiences that celebrate their diversity, similarities and achievements. Partnership with parents is strong. Staff share information regularly to engage parents in their child's learning journey. This helps provide continuity for children and promotes positive attitudes to learning. Children at this nursery make exceptional progress from their starting points and are ready for the next stage in their learning, including starting school.

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need to do better?

n Staff implement a highly effective curriculum across different ages and stages of development. In the baby rooms, there is a strong focus on sensory learning and creating experiences that spark curiosity. Babies show remarkable focus as they engage with floor-level activities to explore their senses. For instance, babies explore ice and how its state can change using tepid water. This starts babies on a journey of discovery and inquisitive learning. n When it is time for transitions, staff support both children and parents to understand and adapt to changes, helping them settle into new routines. This happens when children move to the next age-appropriate room, begin toilet training or need support with changes at home such as moving house or bereavement. The transition to primary school is exceptionally well managed. Managers organise a comprehensive review of each child's progress and share the information needed to ensure the best possible transition. This is particularly

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need to do better?

important for children with SEND who need adjustments in place as soon as they start to continue their successful learning journey. n Staff expertly engage with the many ways children communicate. Staff recognise

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need to do better?

23 July 2025 that challenging behaviour is a form of communication, and they take time to help children regulate their emotions and express themselves positively. They talk to children at their level, use eye contact and ask questions that boost children's verbal communication skills. In addition, staff support children to express their needs using non-verbal cues, flashcards and visual timetables. Children have positive social interactions and learn to be confident communicators. n Leaders have established strong links with external agencies that offer additional support for children. Staff can get the expertise to accommodate children's needs and/or any additional training required to deliver specific interventions, promoting each child's learning. This consistent support and children's secure attachments promote their well-being and independence. n At mealtimes, children receive a nutritious meal, cooked on site. Allergies and

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need to do better?

preferences are easily accommodated, and staff have an excellent knowledge of all the children in their care. Mealtimes are full of special moments. Staff sit and eat with children, modelling table manners and social conversation. Children who struggle with mealtimes make remarkable progress over time with consistent encouragement from their key persons. n Parents speak highly of their experience, entrusting their very small children to the baby room. They say the nursery is inviting and homely, and how much they value the support of all the 'aunties', as staff are known. Parents who have faced challenges appreciate the kindness, understanding and support they have received. The strong partnerships with parents give children a sense of security and belonging that enables them to be active learners. n Leaders foster a working environment that supports staff personally and professionally. This is reflected in low staff turnover and high staff satisfaction

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need to do better?

levels. Supervision sessions are genuinely reflective, celebrating staff strengths and helping them identify the next steps in their learning. Management uses supervision and observation to plan highly effective professional development opportunities for staff. This contributes to an overall learning ethos at the nursery where staff and children are learning and developing.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY278613 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 10392388 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 144 Number of children on roll 157 Name of registered person Faith Montessori Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 0208 291 8580 Date of previous inspection 20 August 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Faith Montessori Nursery Ltd registered in 2004. It is located in Forest Hill in the London Borough of Lewisham. The nursery is open all year round from 8am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays. There are 25 staff, including the manager, 21 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. This includes one staff member who holds early years teacher status, one staff member who holds a level 6 qualification in early years, 13 staff who hold level 3 qualifications in childcare and six staff who hold level 2 qualifications in childcare. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It uses the Montessori method of education combined with learning through play.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Leaders and staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n Parents shared their views of the nursery 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

23 July 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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