Summary
What we read, and from where
Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.
- Achievement verified
Expected standard
- Behaviour, attitudes and routines verified
Expected standard
- Children's welfare and wellbeing verified
Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching verified
Expected standard
- Inclusion verified
Strong standard
- Leadership and governance verified
Expected standard
- Framework verified
Report card
- Group verified
Playhouse Montessori Limited
- Inspection datesingle source
8 May 2026
- Inspectors verified
Louise Mackay
- Postcode verified
SW16 4SB
- Name on report verified
Playhouse Montessori
- Safeguarding verified
Met
- URN verified
EY339849
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.
- AchievementExpected
- Behaviour, attitudes and routinesExpected
- Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected
- Curriculum and teachingExpected
- InclusionStrong
- Leadership and governanceExpected
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
In line with other reports of this type.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- They offer support that has excellent outcomes for families. p.2
- As a result of this, children are confident, secure, well cared for and well settled. p.5
- Leaders and staff typically set high expectations for children's behaviour. p.2
- Children are calm, polite and they enjoy spending time together. p.5
Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- However, due to inconsistencies in the curriculum delivery, children do not thrive in all areas of learning at an expected pace. p.2
- However, some inconsistencies in approaches and expectations means children's behaviour is not consistently addressed in line with expectations. p.2
- However, staff do not consistently embed these opportunities at all times, which means children are not consistently learning and developing these skills. p.3
- However, due to some inconsistencies in the curriculum, staff do not consistently provide learning experiences that may help prepare children for the next room. p.5
Next steps
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- Leaders should implement a consistent approach that is used across the setting to support children's behaviour in line with expectations. p.5
- Leaders should continue to embed the curriculum across all age groups to ensure consistency in children's learning. p.5
- Staff should support children to develop their independence skills consistently across all age groups. p.5
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Leadership & governance28
“Leaders and staff typically set high expectations for children's behaviour.” p.2Parents & families13
“They offer support that has excellent outcomes for families.” p.2Progress & outcomes7
“They offer support that has excellent outcomes for families.” p.2Reading & phonics4
“As a result, children across the setting have a love for books.” p.4
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 8
- Words of findings
- 1,745
- about usual (typical 1698)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 41, typical 43
- Average sentence
- 15 words
- Next steps
- 3
- typical 3
- Hedged sentences
- 6%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Playhouse Montessori
Unique reference number (URN): EY339849 Address: 1a Dunbar Avenue, LONDON, SW16 4SB Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registered with Ofsted: 30/10/2006 Registers: EYR Registered person: Playhouse Montessori Limited
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Safeguarding standards met
The safeguarding standards are met. This means that leaders and/or those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their specific responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed. As a result, children are made safer and feel safe.
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How we evaluate safeguarding
When we inspect settings for safeguarding, they can have the following outcomes:
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How we evaluate safeguarding
Met: The setting has an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not met: The setting has not created an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not all legal requirements are met.
p.1
Inclusion Strong standard
Leaders and staff prioritise children's progress, support and individual needs. Through early identification and intervention, staff make timely referrals and take appropriate action to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those with barriers to learning. For example, through observation and assessment, staff identify potential barriers. They work in partnership with parents and carers to create consistent and suitable next steps and methods.
p.2
Inclusion Strong standard
Leaders also work closely with the local authority's special educational needs coordinators to ensure swift and effective adaptations and support plans are in place. Staff are well trained at adapting experiences to ensure all children, including those with SEND, are able to access the same learning opportunities. Using baseline starting points and ongoing observation, staff create targeted plans that ensure each child is well supported and children make progress.
p.2
Inclusion Strong standard
Leaders have developed a consistent parent partnership relationship. They offer support that has excellent outcomes for families. For example, leaders support parents who speak English as an additional language with funding forms and school applications. As a result of this, parents from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances feel supported.
p.2
Achievement Expected standard
Across the setting, children typically develop age- and stage-appropriate knowledge in all areas of the curriculum. Children are generally ready for the next stage of learning and have the appropriate skills. For example, pre-school children demonstrate understanding of early mathematics and literacy. They learn skills to be ready for school, such as using signing in boards. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or with barriers to learning, typically achieve well and make noticeable progress from their starting points. However, due to inconsistencies in the curriculum delivery, children do not thrive in all areas of learning at an expected pace. Children are well supported as staff adapt approaches to ensure that children with SEND and barriers to learning achieve and learn. For example, staff use visual cards and adaptations of activities to ensure children are
p.2
Achievement Expected standard
learning at an appropriate stage. As a result of this, children with SEND achieve individualised outcomes and develop their skills and knowledge.
p.2
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard
Leaders and staff typically set high expectations for children's behaviour. As a result, children commonly behave well and follow age-appropriate rules and boundaries. However, some inconsistencies in approaches and expectations means children's behaviour is not consistently addressed in line with expectations. However, staff praise children's positive behaviour and overall support their behaviour well.
p.2
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard
Leaders promote positive attendance. They work closely with parents and carers to ensure any absences are followed up on. As a result, children's attendance is consistent and they start to form a positive understanding of school attendance expectations.
p.3
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard
Staff celebrate each child as an individual. They encourage one another to do the same, while showing kindness and fairness to their peers. Staff encourage children to share and take turns. As a result, children typically play well alongside one another while sharing ideas. Staff use age- and stage-appropriate methods to support children's behaviour and routines.
p.3
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard
Staff create a warm and valuable relationship with the children. As a result, children are eager and excited to engage in learning opportunities with them. For example, children excitedly engage in role play by being firefighters and pretending to tackle fires in the garden.
p.3
Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard
Staff are understanding of the varying needs of the families and children from the setting. Using tailored and adapted approaches, staff support families and children in an appropriate manner to ensure children are well supported in their learning and development. Leaders are well informed of family dynamics and using external agencies and guidance. They implement support which ensures children's wellbeing and welfare are a priority.
p.3
Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard
Staff and leaders have created an open-plan style setting. Children can freely use the garden areas and explore, while brining indoor learning outdoors where possible. Staff support children's hygiene appropriately and care for children. For example, they encourage children to change wet clothes and wash their hands after using the toilet. Staff typically encourage the children to be independent through skills, such as self-serving meals, dressing themselves, washing their hands and pouring water. However, staff do not consistently embed these opportunities at all times, which means children are not consistently learning and developing these skills. Staff teach children the importance of hydration and a healthy diet. As a result, children engage in social mealtimes while enjoying their meals.
p.3
Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard
Leaders are reflective and up to date with changes relating to the early years. As a result, they adapt practice and policy to ensure children's welfare and wellbeing are well supported. For example, following previous concerns around safer eating and health requirements, leaders have implemented effective steps consistently to ensure children remain safe.
p.3
Curriculum and teaching Expected standard
Leaders have a clear understanding of the setting's curriculum. For example, they share that as well as the seven areas of learning, communication and independence are key skills which they strive to implement. Overall, staff have a secure understanding of the curriculum and how they can support children to develop in all areas of learning. However, there are some inconsistencies across the setting. For example, not all staff encourage children's independence and communication. As a result of this, children do not always demonstrate the same skills as they move between the rooms. For instance, toddlers are encouraged to self-serve their own snack and water, but older children do not have the same opportunity consistently. The curriculum however is inclusive and it offers every child, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, high-quality learning and teaching opportunities.
p.3
Curriculum and teaching Expected standard
Through observation, supervision and discussion, leaders ensure that the curriculum is typically delivered well and the key focus areas are implemented. Leaders acknowledge that there are some inconsistencies but, overall, the curriculum is fair, accessible and staff teach it well. Staff adapt the curriculum to ensure every child receives high-quality teaching. For example, staff in the baby room focus on babies' personal and emotional development as new babies join. They encourage them to form attachments and social skills. Staff invite children to engage in fun and animated story times. As a result, children across the setting have a love for books. Children across all ages have ample of opportunities to develop their physical skills in the well-designed 3 garden areas.
p.4
Leadership and governance Expected standard
Leaders have a secure understanding of the setting's context and families' circumstances. Through partnership with other professionals and parent partnerships, leaders remain up to date with changes and adaptations required. Leaders are responsive and open. They demonstrate ambition to continue to deliver high-quality care and education. For example, leaders identify there are some inconsistencies in the curriculum delivery and are working to fully embed this.
p.4
Leadership and governance Expected standard
Leaders provide ongoing support and training to all staff to ensure staff are well equipped and knowledgeable to deliver care and education in line with their expectations. For example, apprentices' comment on the positive and ongoing support from leaders during their placement. As a result, they feel prepared in their roles and able to fulfil their duties. Leaders use ongoing supervision sessions and training sessions to support staff, check on their wellbeing and ensure their workloads remain manageable. Leaders spend times in the rooms with the staff and children. They offer ongoing guidance and positive role modelling. As a result, leaders are well aware of the setting's strengths, areas for improvement and any identified training needs within the staffing team.
p.4
Leadership and governance Expected standard
Leaders engage well with other agencies, such as health professionals and the local authority. They attend scheduled meetings and book onto training courses. Staff work in partnership to ensure the children in their care receive the most accurate and suitable care and education. Leaders also work with parents and carers and local schools. They conduct visits and make introduction packs to ensure children are ready for the transition to primary school and parents are following the correct processes for school applications.
p.4
What it's like to be a child at this setting
Children are calm, polite and they enjoy spending time together. While engaging in a range of stimulating activities indoors and outdoors, children develop their social skills and curiosity. For example, outdoors, babies explore sensory opportunities. Older children engage in art and craft activities, such as glueing and play dough. Children are safe and staff care for children, meeting their individual needs and celebrating each child as an individual.
p.5
What it's like to be a child at this setting
Children demonstrate a curious and enthusiastic approach to learning. For example, older children excitedly explore the resources while staff engage children in a range of planned activities that meet their personalised next steps. Children are achieving and developing skills in each area of learning. They demonstrate an age-appropriate readiness for the next stage of learning. However, due to some inconsistencies in the curriculum, staff do not consistently provide learning experiences that may help prepare children for the next room. For instance, staff do not encourage children's independence skills across the age groups, such as self-serving meals. Staff plan carefully and use ongoing assessment and observation to deliver appropriate targeted activities which support all children's next steps, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For example, staff provide visual timetables and frequently planned focus activities for children with SEND to
p.5
What it's like to be a child at this setting
support their understanding and concentration skills.
p.5
What it's like to be a child at this setting
Children form positive relationships with staff. They demonstrate secure attachments to all staff, including leaders and key people. Parents and carers highlight the support that they feel from the setting. They comment on their children's positive progress and the consistent parent partnership. All children are celebrated as a unique individuals. Staff identify children's individual needs and areas for support. For example, staff ask parents to provide key words in children's home language to ensure that while the child is learning English, they can still share their thoughts and needs. As a result of this, children are confident, secure, well cared for and well settled.
p.5
Next steps
Leaders should implement a consistent approach that is used across the setting to support children's behaviour in line with expectations. Leaders should continue to embed the curriculum across all age groups to ensure consistency in children's learning. Staff should support children to develop their independence skills consistently across all age groups.
p.5
Address:
Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises
p.6
Address:
Registered person: Playhouse Montessori Limited
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Address:
Operating hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 07:45 - 18:00
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Facts and figures used on inspection
This data was available to the inspector at the time of the inspection.
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About this inspection
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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About this inspection
The inspector spoke with leaders, staff and the special educational needs coordinator during the inspection.
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Exceptional
Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other settings can learn from it.
p.7
Strong standard
The setting reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them.
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Expected standard
The setting is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non ‑ statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them.
p.7
Needs attention
The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements.
p.7
Urgent improvement
The setting needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care.
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Urgent improvement
services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.
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Urgent improvement
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Urgent improvement
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Urgent improvement
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Urgent improvement
T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted
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