Newpark Montessori School & Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely confident and very motivated to learn. Staff highly value each child as an individual.

They interact with children in very respectful, warm and caring ways. Staff form strong and close bonds with children, who settle very well. Children gain exceptional independence skills.

For example, older children help to prepare their own fruit snacks, serve themselves food and drinks and wash up their bowls. Even younger children are able to take off and put on their coats independently. Children behave in very safe ways.

For instance, they mop up water spillages and explain that it is 'so c...hildren don't fall over'. Children tuck their chairs under tables when they leave to prevent tripping hazards. Staff help children to establish healthy routines, such as participating in regular physical challenges and eating well-balanced meals and snacks.

They explain the value of these activities and also explain the importance of sleep to children. Staff help children to learn about and to manage their feelings very successfully. For example, children look at their faces in mirrors and staff talk to them about how they are feeling and ways they can handle their emotions.

Staff explore this area even further by, for example, reading special stories to children about a range of feelings.

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

Staff make comprehensive and tailored plans for children that are based on their interests and areas of learning. They carry out regular and thorough observations, which they evaluate to work out what children need to learn next.

Children receive excellent challenges and make exceptional progress. Staff keep a close check on children's development and provide very good support to those children requiring extra help.Staff help children to gain excellent understanding of the natural world.

For example, a specialist gardener regularly visits the nursery to plant and grow vegetables with children. Children learn about a range of mini-beasts in the natural world. They help to prepare fresh flowers and place them in vases independently.

Staff teach children about where paper comes from and how it is recycled and reused.Staff teach children excellent early literacy skills. For example, older children can recognise and write their own names.

They have an excellent understanding of letters and the sounds that they make, and can read simple words. Younger children develop exceptional listening skills as they take part in exciting music sessions. They learn new words as they sing lively songs, listen to interesting stories and rapidly increase their vocabularies.

Staff manage children's behaviour very successfully. They share group rules with children. Older children remind younger ones of positive ways to behave.

Children try to resolve differences between themselves and their behaviour is excellent. They are very well mannered and often say 'please' and 'thank you'.Staff help children to learn about and to respect others from diverse backgrounds.

For instance, children have a vast knowledge of different countries around the world, and their traditions and cultures. Staff talk about a very wide range of festivals with children. Children have excellent turn-taking and sharing skills.

Children have a highly developed range of physical skills. For example, younger children use great small-muscle control to skilfully transfer rice, beans and liquids to containers of different sizes. They have very good climbing, balancing and physical coordination skills.

For example, a specialist sports coach visits the nursery regularly to carry out comprehensive and focused physical development sessions.Staff have excellent partnerships with parents. They use very flexible and highly effective ways to keep parents informed of their children's progress.

For example, they communicate through emails, phone calls, daily verbal updates and regular parents' meetings. Staff provide parents with ways to support their children's learning very successfully. For example, they suggest local places to visit and ideas for home activities.

Staff organise courses for parents, such as first aid, to help extend their knowledge and skills.The manager gives excellent support to a very highly qualified staff team. For instance, she provides staff with opportunities to work flexible hours to meet their needs.

Staff cook meals for each other to support team building and well-being. The manager meets up with staff individually and regularly to have in-depth discussions on children's progress, work performance and training needs. For example, staff attended a course on schemas which led to greater understanding and practice in this area to promote best outcomes for babies.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have an exceptional knowledge and understanding of the procedures to follow should they have concerns regarding a child's well-being. They have a full understanding of signs and symptoms to look out for.

Staff attend regular, thorough training to update their skills and knowledge. The manager has robust systems in place to ensure the early identification of vulnerable children and provides excellent support. She carries out thorough background checks on staff as part of a comprehensive recruitment procedures and excellent safeguarding practice.