Crickets Montessori Nursery School

Inclusion: Strong standard

Leaders have built a setting where inclusion is integral, and every child's uniqueness is recognised and supported. Staff are skilled at identifying individual needs early, through careful observation, ongoing assessment and close engagement with families. When a child faces difficulties, such as with transitions or communication, staff collaborate closely with parents and other professionals to develop tailored strategies. This ensures that children feel secure and able to progress. Meticulous ongoing assessment ensures that support remains responsive and highly effective, helping children move forward from their own starting points.

Barriers to learning and wellbeing are addressed proactively, with leaders implementing reasonable adjustments and inclusive practices. Children who find managing their emotions difficult benefit from visual timetables and picture cues, fostering independence and confidence. The ongoing training for staff consistently reflects children's specific learning needs. This enables staff to adapt teaching when needed, with skill and sensitivity.

Partnerships with families are secure, with regular reviews and practical strategies shared to support learning at home. Leaders engage promptly with external agencies when needed, ensuring that support is well matched and holistic. No children are currently receiving early years pupil premium or special educational needs and/or disabilities support. Robust systems and past experience show a sustained commitment to inclusion and reducing disadvantage. Leaders are vigilant and ready to respond quickly so all children can participate fully in nursery life.

Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard

Staff meticulously assess children's ongoing progress. They use this information to inform children's next steps, skilfully adapting their teaching and seamlessly integrating mathematical concepts and communication skills into daily activities. For instance, when younger children are engaged in story sessions, staff use purposeful questioning and modelling to introduce counting, sequencing and new vocabulary within the context of a story. This strengthens language development and challenges children to think critically, communicate confidently and grasp early mathematical ideas. For younger children, especially those with emerging language skills, staff create rich interactions, such as singing counting songs and using visual prompts. This helps them build their vocabulary and understanding of numbers.

Reading and singing are important aspects of nursery life, and children develop a natural love for books through regular story sessions, singing activities and purposeful parent engagement. This supports children's physical and emotional development as they dance and express themselves alongside their friends. Family involvement in reading routines nurtures children's enthusiasm, with many sharing favourite stories both at home and in nursery. This targeted approach supports children's emotional wellbeing and fosters a sense of belonging. Staff consistently remove barriers to learning or wellbeing and target children's key learning priorities. This enables all children to make excellent progress

Achievement: Strong standard

Children achieve extremely well. They show excellent progress in all areas of learning and establish secure foundations for future learning. Children are becoming increasingly confident and independent and show high levels of curiosity as they engage enthusiastically with purposeful activities. They manage their emotions remarkably well, share with their friends and show kindness to others. Children maintain focus for extended periods and persevere when faced with challenges.

Children are developing rich vocabulary and communicate with assurance. They collaborate highly effectively with both adults and their peers. Children of all ages are motivated to learn and show a deeper understanding of early mathematics. They problem-solve and show high levels of creativity, such as through imaginative and creative play. Children understand and follow structured routines, which further nurtures independence and school readiness. This ensures that every child leaves the setting equipped with the social, emotional and academic skills necessary for the next stage of their education.

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Strong standard

Staff consistently promote positive attitudes and embed clear and well-established routines. They set high expectations for behaviour and model these standards with calm professionals at a level of children's understanding. All children understand what is expected of them and follow routines confidently. On arrival, children demonstrate independence by hanging up their coats, changing into indoor shoes and organising their belongings, showing secure ownership of daily routines.

Staff explicitly teach children strategies to manage their feelings, using sand timers, visual prompts and supportive dialogue. This approach enables all children to regulate their emotions effectively and resolve minor conflicts with increasing confidence. Children collaborate positively, take turns and show genuine consideration for others. Outdoors, children of different age groups remain engaged and negotiate roles. They initiate games and sustain play without disagreements.

Staff ensure that routines are consistent and understood by all children. They support smooth transitions and remind children gently to walk indoors. This reinforces safety and maintains a purposeful atmosphere. Children persevere with tasks, contribute enthusiastically and demonstrate curiosity across activities. This nurturing environment enables children to feel secure, behave extremely well and develop positive attitudes towards learning, preparing them for future success. Staff promote attendance and punctuality through regular communication with parents. This has a positive impact on children's wellbeing, and they show they feel secure and supported in their care.

Children's welfare and wellbeing: Strong standard

Children receive consistently high-quality care, with their welfare and wellbeing placed firmly at the heart of daily nursery practice. Warm and trusting relationships between staff help children feel secure, confident and able to communicate their needs. Staff are quick to spot concerns, such as changes in eating habits, behaviour or confidence, and act promptly to address these issues. Strong communication with families and outside agencies ensures tailored, effective support for each child. Through consistent modelling, supportive conversations and engaging resources, such as puppets, stories and visual cues, staff teach children to understand and manage their emotions. This empowers children to talk about their feelings and regulate their emotions successfully.

The nursery offers a calm, respectful and organised environment, helping children feel safe, valued and understood. Healthy routines are embedded throughout the day, promoting independence and resilience. Staff sensitively support self-care by adapting toileting, snack times and outdoor play to suit children's individual needs. They carefully monitor physical and emotional health, responding swiftly when extra support is required, so no child's wellbeing is ever overlooked. This responsive and nurturing approach enables children to develop strong emotional security, healthy habits and confidence, which lays the foundation for successful learning and future wellbeing.

Leadership and governance: Strong standard

Leaders maintain a clear, ambitious vision for the setting and act decisively to secure high-quality outcomes for children. They know the provision remarkably well, evaluate practice with rigour and use their deep understanding of the community to drive continual improvement. Leaders establish a culture of high expectations where children's safety, learning and wellbeing are always prioritised. They communicate this vision clearly, enabling staff to work with consistency and a shared purpose.

Staff feel valued and well supported. Leaders provide focused professional development that strengthens knowledge and practice, ensuring that teaching remains of high quality across all rooms. Workload is managed thoughtfully, contributing to a positive and collaborative staff culture. Leaders monitor the curriculum closely, ensuring that it remains ambitious, responsive to children's needs and aligned with the setting's priorities.

Partnerships with families are a significant strength. Parents consistently describe feeling informed, welcomed and included in their children's learning. Leaders work proactively with external agencies and local organisations to enhance opportunities and provide targeted support when required.

Through reflective, dedicated and forward-thinking leadership, the setting continues to improve and sustain high standards. Children benefit from an environment where staff are skilled, confident and united in their ambition for every child to thrive.