Blue Planet Montessori Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive at this truly inclusive setting. All children are included in a wide range of activities and experiences, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children are eager to come to nursery, confidently leaving their parents and running in ready for the session. The learning environment is inviting and offers a broad range of experiences that children become deeply involved in. Children take part in circle time sessions expertly led by the manager, who encourages the children to be curious about fish, using aspirational vocabulary that children remember and use later in their play.

Children develop an understanding of the world around them through first-hand, meaningful experiences. They are fully involved in investigating the look, feel and smell of fish that have been bought from the fishmongers. Children have impressive language skills, as they talk about the gills, eyes, scales and fins of the fish. Children show their knowledge and understanding as they talk. For example, as they look at pictures of buildings from around the world, one child comments, 'the wobbly tower', when looking at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Children demonstrate positive attitudes to learning, and their enthusiasm is infectious.

Children are independent. They confidently put their coats on and go outside to enjoy the well-organised outdoor area. They expertly use the obstacle course and stepping stones, and they crawl under the tunnel and walk along the planks. They take turns with resources, and children work really well together to match different-coloured beanbags to the corresponding-coloured shape. Children receive praise and encouragement from staff, and behaviour is exemplary. As a result, the environment is harmonious and calm.

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

• Leadership is exemplary. The staff team knows the children exceptionally well, and the curriculum is tailored to the needs and interests of the children. The support for children with SEND is meticulous. Children are encouraged to participate in all experiences, and signing is used to support effective communication. For children with more complex needs, there is an offer of care and individual support. As a result, all children with SEND make exceptional progress.
• The well-thought-out curriculum is designed to inspire children to learn. It is aspirational and offers children a chance to be immersed in play and learning, which supports their developing knowledge and skills. The children make connections in their learning and know and remember more to consolidate their ideas. The children talked about the features of a mammal and used this knowledge to make sense of the differences between a mammal and an invertebrate. As a result, the children have exceptionally well-developed vocabulary, which they use with confidence.
• Interactions between staff and children are exemplary, and staff use a rich array of vocabulary to support children's learning. Staff differentiate their interactions to support individual children. Symbols are used to encourage the communication of children with SEND. Leaders have identified children who need extra support and build in small-group work to develop children's confidence. The groups are well planned. Consequently, children make substantial progress.
• Children enjoy their story time, and staff ensure that children are involved and offer a language-rich environment. Links are made to recent learning, and opportunities to discuss kindness, well-being and friendship are expertly taken by staff. As a result, children are aware of the feelings of others. The staff team is experienced and well trained. Staff encourage children to be involved and offer them the highest level of support, inspiring them to continually improve. Snack time is an opportunity to discuss healthy food and to encourage children to make choices and wait for their turn. 'Fruit is healthy', one child states. Children wash up their plates afterwards, showing high levels of confidence and independence.
• Parents and carers cannot praise the nursery highly enough. Many have sent older children to the provision. They speak of the nursery being 'amazing' and that staff 'always go above and beyond' to support their children, particularly children with SEND. Effective communication between home and the nursery is appreciated by parents. Parents endorse the children's excellent progress and the quality of the curriculum and ideas for home learning. This further demonstrates the impact of the outstanding quality of education.
• The manager is passionate about her role, and staff are well supported in their professional development, ensuring they are able to continually improve. The impact of this is that staff well-being and morale are exceptionally high. The manager ensures that new starters receive high-quality training and support. The manager has implemented new initiatives, which has further enhanced staff training and confidence in their roles. The manager has an excellent rapport with the staff, children and their families. As a result, the setting has a positive impact on the community.