The Bix Montessori School

Inspection of The Bix Montessori School Bix and Assendon Village Hall, Bix, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 6BS

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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

Each child, parent and carer are individually warmly welcomed on arrival at this calm and nurturing nursery. Managers encourage an ethos that is flexible and allows families to take time to settle their child each morning. For example, encouraging parents to read a favourite book or to spend time completing an activity with their child. Children settle happily, showing high-levels of independence as they are consistently encouraged by staff to choose, use and tidy away activities. Staff support children to regulate their behaviour and understand their emotions well. They are sensitive to children's non-verbal cues. Staff encourage children to name and describe their emotions when they notice children are showing they are upset or suggest sensory ideas that support children to re- focus attention. This approach is extremely successful in supporting children to participate and overcome any reluctance as they gain confidence.

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The provision is good

Each child's key person prioritises building a stable and caring relationship with each child. Settling-in processes ensure time is taken to carefully understand each child, including what their likes and dislikes are. Staff develop a collaborative approach with each family, which ensures each child feels secure, happy and eager to learn. Children flourish within this safe environment, they are given time to explore the well-organised learning environment. This enables children to lead their own learning, carefully guided by staff. Children develop excellent communication skills as they hear new words and phrases constantly. Staff explore the meaning of new words with children in the context of high-quality story times and experiences. The curriculum places communication and language at the heart of activities, as staff carefully select books that children are interested in sharing and are closely matched to children's current interests.

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need to do better?

n A sequenced and ambitious curriculum provides clear progression for all ages. This includes careful consideration given to the equipment provided for activities and allows for cumulative steps in progression. As a result, all children including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make sustained progress from their starting points. n Children enjoy an individualised curriculum. Careful observations by staff assess what each child can do and what they need to practise. Planning systems ensure activities closely match the child's stage of development and include repetition, consolidation and developing skills and knowledge. For example, as children show an interest in writing, activities promote a pincer grip, then explore letters in sand, then chalk before introducing paper. n Staff focus on developing children's independence and confidence as a key focus throughout the nursery. Emphasis from the start enables children to practise

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need to do better?

10 September 2025 practical life activities, which encourage independence, responsibility and develop skills that will support other curriculum areas. For example, practise pouring from a jug to a cup allows children to show independence at mealtimes or carrying resources on a tray allows children to collect the resources they want for other activities. n Leaders are currently in the process of introducing changes to management and developing greater consistency with staff. There is an ambitious development plan, which builds upon the historical standards of care and education. These changes are yet to be consistently implemented by all staff and further mentoring, coaching and monitoring is required to ensure the consistent implementation of new policies and procedures. n Managers have created an updated vision for the nursery and are committed at every step to ensure children are prioritised and staff central to these

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need to do better?

developments. Sharp consideration is evident that reflects on ensuring the experiences offered to enhance the curriculum are rigorous and link to the community of children and their needs. Sharing these changes with children and staff and carefully guiding them on the journey is a key management focus. Managers are committed to ensure all parents, children and new members of staff fully understand the new expectations. However, the vision is in the initial stages of implementation and not yet fully embedded. n Parents are complimentary about their partnership with staff. They value the positive impact on children's learning at home following information shared at parent sessions. For example, learning about how to manage tantrums to support their children's emotional development. Parents value how managers collaborate closely with other professionals to share information and implement additional support for children with SEND, including information staff share with

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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 strengthen the coaching and mentoring of less experienced staff to further embed the nursery's policies to ensure consistency in routines and interactions n leaders and managers to continue to implement and embed the nursery vision they have created and ensure all staff, parents and children are central and fully understanding of it.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY429246 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10408045 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 13 Name of registered person Jackson, Sophie Charlotte Zoe

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reference number

Telephone number 07795 168293 Date of previous inspection 23 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The Bix Montessori School registered in 2011. It is situated in the Bix and Assendon Village Hall, Bix, in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire. The setting is open Monday to Friday during school term times only. Sessions are from 9am until 12 midday and from 1pm until 4pm. Children also have the option to stay all day from 9am until 4pm. There are five members of staff who work directly with the children. Of these, four hold relevant Montessori and/or qualified teacher status qualifications at level 6 and one holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 5.

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Inspection activities

n The deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The deputy manager and inspector took part in a joint observation of an activity and compared their evaluations. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to staff, parents and children taking account of their views. n A range of relevant documentation was viewed.

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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

10 September 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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