Brightstart Montessori Nursery, North Walsham

Inspection of Brightstart Montessori Nursery, North Walsham The Atrium, Spenser Avenue, North Walsham NR28 9HZ

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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 arrive at the nursery ready to explore and learn. They are greeted by warm and caring staff, who support them to confidently separate from their parents. Children come into the nursery with excitement and are quick to explore the range of activities available to them. Staff are on hand to support children in their learning, encouraging their independence as they select their own resources. Children smile with pride as they successfully complete their chosen activities and are praised by staff. Children's independence is supported well within the nursery. There are well-planned activities provided to help children to develop life skills, such as pouring, managing fastenings and serving their own snack. Staff use their secure knowledge of each child to tailor the support given, helping all children to achieve.

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The provision is good

Staff provide excellent role models for children. They display high levels of respect for the children and each other. Staff model using please and thank you. Children are supported to develop positive relationships with each other. Staff calmly and kindly encourage children to consider how they could resolve situations, such as turn-taking. As a result, children behave well and are considerate of each other.

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The provision is good

Leaders have built a broad curriculum that is ambitious for all children. Staff understand the aims of the curriculum and the methods of teaching very well. There is a clear progression of skills across the planned activities provided. Staff take time to understand what children already know so that they can plan what they need to learn next. Staff use this knowledge to adapt activities to meet the unique developmental needs of each child to ensure they are challenged.

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need to do better?

n Staff have a secure knowledge of child development. This is used, alongside effective teaching strategies, to ensure children make good progress and that they are prepared for the next stage of their development. For example, staff provide a variety of physical and mark-making activities for children to develop the skills needed for future writing. n Staff work together to plan exciting and engaging activities, using children's interests to inspire and motivate learning. The Montessori-based approach is well planned and confidently delivered by staff. These activities offer children a clear progression of skills. Staff use these in a variety of ways to achieve the best learning experience for each child. In addition to these, children are provided with additional resources to explore, both independently and with support. Children enjoy exploring these, but they are not as well considered as other areas of the provision. As a result, children have less opportunity to plan,

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need to do better?

explore and test their ideas or extend their own learning.

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need to do better?

17 September 2025 n Children enjoy quality interactions with staff. Language is modelled well to children, and staff understand how to support children's communication. Staff help children to expand their vocabulary using stories, songs and discussions. Children delight in well-structured activities, where staff provide excellent role models for listening and attention. Staff use active learning to capture children's interests and involve them in discovering all about the natural world. Children are happy to share the experience, giggling and talking to each other and staff. Using statements and gentle questioning, staff encourage children to consider what they are learning and link it to their previous experiences. n The embedded routine of the nursery enables staff to work well together as a team. The structure ensures staff are confident in their role and allows them to be efficiently deployed across the provision. However, occasionally this can

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need to do better?

impact on staff interactions with children. For example, at times when staff were settling children into the nursery, they have to attend to other duties as part of the routine requirements. n Leaders have developed robust observation and assessment processes to ensure children's progress is regularly monitored. This enables staff to identify where children may need extra support or additional challenge. As a result, children are provided with tailored learning journeys that help them to achieve their best outcomes. n Parents speak positively about the nursery. They are happy with their children's progress. Parents feel particularly well supported during the settling-in process. Staff adapt settling-in sessions to meet the needs of the child. Communication with parents is a strength. Staff share children's learning with parents, including at progress meetings. Staff work with parents to identify what it is the children

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need to do better?

should learn next and give them ideas on how this can be supported at home. n Leaders support staff to continue to develop their knowledge and practice. Annual training is planned to ensure all staff have access to professional development opportunities. Staff are able to further deepen their understanding of the pedagogy of the nursery. Staff feel valued and well supported by leaders.

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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 enhance the environment, allowing children to further explore opportunities to extend their own learning n reflect on the organisation of routines to enable staff to continue to focus on

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should:

17 September 2025 their quality interactions with children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2736133 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10399946 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Halkyard, Barry

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reference number

Telephone number 01692 436446 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Brightstart Montessori Nursery, North Walsham was established in 1996, re- registered in 2023 and is privately owned. The owner, who holds qualified teacher status, employs nine members of childcare staff, of whom seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 8.45am to 3.15pm during term time. The setting provides government funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of the education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents and took account of their views. 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

17 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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