Colchester Montessori Day Nursery

Inspection of Colchester Montessori Day Nursery 49 William Harris Way, Colchester CO2 8WJ

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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 thrive in this nurturing and enriching environment, where staff place their and their families well-being, at the centre of everything they do. Children show high levels of confidence and strong caring attachments to staff as they chat about their morning, before hanging up their belongings and self-registering their attendance. A secure key-person system and bespoke settling-in routines are a strong point. For example, some children who find drop-offs difficult find comfort in the familiarity of wearing the 'special helper' lanyard upon arrival and help staff set up activities. Consequently, children settle swiftly and remarkably smoothly, in ways that are meaningful and reassuring to them.

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The provision is good

Children have superb attitudes to learning and are inquisitive and motivated learners. They concentrate well at group times and display a great deal of patience. They develop good listening and attention skills in readiness for school. The well- designed curriculum provides a range of opportunities for children to be active, independent and make choices in their play. Children frequently play cooperatively. Attentive staff are positive role models and provide meaningful praise as children take turns on the slide. This reinforces children's understanding of safe and positive behaviours expected of them.

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need to do better?

n Children have constant access to activities that allow them to learn through experimentation, both indoors and outdoors. Children enjoy exploring the textures and scents of citrus fruits in water and strengthen their fine motor skills as they manipulate dough. They press shells into dough and giggle in amazement as they reveal a pretty pattern underneath. Staff are skilful at using questions to prompt interesting discussions and check recall and understanding of what children are learning. n Staff use rhyming books and familiar stories to help children develop a lifelong love of reading. Staff read a story about a bear to children outdoors to inspire their imagination and develop a sense of the natural and creative world around them. Children begin to repeat phrases from the story such as 'I'm not scared' with the enthusiastic, fun-loving staff. However, staff do not always make the best possible use of real-life resources available or extend on learning

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need to do better?

opportunities that naturally occur to help children discover and develop deeper connections to the world around them. n The professional training opportunities in place for staff support them in building on the quality of their teaching. The supportive management team regularly provides staff with supervision sessions and appraisals, which help them reflect on their practice. Staff report excellent well-being and feel supported in their role. Staff and parents can nominate individual staff members for employee of

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need to do better?

24 July 2025 the month, which helps them feel valued. n Staff gather detailed information from parents about what their child already knows and can do before they start. Ongoing assessments of children's progress ensure that any gaps in learning are identified early. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals such as speech and language therapists. This means all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress in their learning and development, particularly in their communication and language development. n Parents applaud daily communication, both face to face and on the online platform, about their child's day. Staff support parents in borrowing home- learning packs to continue their children's learning at home. n Children skilfully develop their independence from an early age. Staff implement merry tunes to help children recognise and learn efficient self-care practices,

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need to do better?

such as washing their hands before eating. Learning progression is clearly evident as the older children are accomplished with tasks such as setting the table, pouring their own drinks and serving their own food. n Family picture boards and culturally relevant resources throughout the nursery promote a sense of identity and belonging. During group time, children can share their backgrounds and experiences, which helps them to learn about diversity. At the end of discussions, staff encourage children to hold hands to sing a friendship song. This plays a significant role in supporting unity and kind and respectful behaviours.

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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 continue to strengthen teaching skills that build on children's curiosity and understanding of the world to help them achieve their highest possible learning outcomes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2751883 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10414714 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 98 Number of children on roll 80 Name of registered person Headstart Colchester Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07530436030 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Colchester Montessori Day Nursery registered in 2023 and follows the Montessori philosophy and method of education. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3 and above, including two with qualified teacher status. The nursery is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday all year round, apart from bank holidays. The nursery provides government-funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a tour of the nursery, both indoors and outdoors, to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. They also discussed discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact that this had on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of group activities with the manager and also discussed self-evaluation. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. The inspector spoke with parents and carers during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector held a meeting with the management team and also discussed self-evaluation. The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as

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Inspection activities

evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the nursery and a selection of other records.

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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

24 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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