Little Elms Montessori Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children are highly settled, happy and busy. They thrive in the warm and welcoming environment of the setting. Children have warm relationships with staff, who they seek out to read stories, share ideas and tell them about important things happening in their lives.

Children demonstrate high levels of engagement. They are inquisitive and make links to their past learning to help make sense of current experiences. For instance, they explain to the inspector that they water the plants to help them grow, then water all the plants with dry soil.

Children know that they also need to drink plenty of water on such a hot... day.Children's behaviour across the setting is superb. They are deeply engaged in their learning and often play together.

Children work collaboratively to carry heavy planks or roll tyres as they create their own obstacle course and push their friends on ride-on toys. They are also helpful and kind, spontaneously finding toys to help others join in and asking, 'Do you want a go?' to those waiting for a turn. Children make fantastic progress from their starting points.

Staff have a deep knowledge of individuals and have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. For example, additional funding is used to deliver targeted interventions in the 'nurture room' to help bridge any gaps in children's learning rapidly. Children are superbly prepared for the next stage of their learning, such as school.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

Managers have a clear vision for continued excellence and place children at the heart of everything they do. They reflect on, and evaluate, their provision incisively, using staff's extensive knowledge of children's learning experiences and progress to identify ways to further improve and ensure each individual child's needs are met to a consistently high level. They gather feedback from parents in a variety of ways to ensure each family has a voice and can influence their plans.

Staff deliver an ambitious, varied and responsive curriculum, which is sequenced so that new knowledge is built on previous learning. They use their deep knowledge of individual children's experiences and learning to introduce new concepts. For instance, they encourage children to think about shelled creatures they already know, such as snails, when considering what might live in seashells.

Children are extremely confident and willing to 'have a go'. They demonstrate perseverance as they work to master new skills, such as threading needles or opening packets at mealtimes. Children have a positive attitude to learning.

They are eager to join in with group activities, contributing answers to staff questions and listening carefully.Children demonstrate how well they know the routines and expectations of the setting. They explain to the inspector what will happen next and the setting's rules for behaviour as well as their favourite activities.

Parents are unreserved in their praise of staff. They comment on the strong partnerships and high-quality communication between the setting and families. Parents report how much their children enjoy attending and the superb progress they have made.

They also note how staff value children's home experiences and regularly welcome parents in to celebrate key festivals and share their culture. Parents feel very involved in their children's learning.Managers monitor the quality of staff practice regularly.

They identify what is working well and areas where staff can improve further or share ideas. They set high standards for practice and ensure this is carefully supported to promote a positive working environment. This results in consistently high-quality teaching throughout the setting.

Staff report feeling valued and well supported.Staff create a rich and diverse learning environment where individuality is celebrated. They organise cultural activities and welcome parents to visit and share their family's traditions and practices.

Staff value each child's uniqueness and help them to learn about their differences. The calm, inclusive atmosphere of the setting and curriculum successfully help children to develop high self-esteem and respectful attitudes towards others.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff know the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and have a very clear understanding of their duty and responsibilities to protect children. They know how to identify and report concerns, including via whistle-blowing. Managers ensure staff keep their knowledge up to date with regular training, including on wider issues such as radicalisation.

When appointing new staff, the managers follow thorough recruitment processes to assure themselves that staff are suitable. There are robust induction plans in place for all new staff. Managers also review existing staff's suitability regularly.

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