Elkington Road Montessori School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this stimulating environment. They are highly motivated to learn, and are full of awe and wonder during adult-led activities. For example, children focus intently as staff encourage them to explore vegetables. Children enthusiastically share their knowledge. They confidently name different vegetables and discuss how they grow. Children watch with fascination as staff demonstrate how to use vegetables for printing. Children behave exceptionally well. They are highly respectful to others and positively manage their own behaviours. For example, when wanting the same resource, children negotiate effectively with each other and politely agree a time limit.

Children's developing physical and independence skills are of the highest priority. All children spend considerable amounts of time outdoors. Staff skilfully prompt children to consider the weather and to decide for themselves if they need jackets. Children independently manage risks. They notice that it has been raining and busy themselves wiping the equipment. Children know that this will stop them slipping. They giggle with delight as they run with hobby horses, climb the climbing frame and ride on toy tractors. Children consistently interact well with each other as they design a plane. They share ideas, working out that they need rows of chairs and a pilot. Children agree their roles and where they are flying to. Children are very well prepared for future learning.

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

• Staff have expert knowledge of children's abilities and development. They have created a highly effective environment which encourages children to freely choose activities they want to engage with. Children's natural curiosity to learn is encouraged. Staff know exactly when to interact with children to build on what they already know and can do, and when to allow them to explore.
• Children show a strong desire to be independent. They eagerly volunteer to prepare snack. Staff supervise children as they carefully carry trays of cups and dishes of vegetables. Children beam with pride as staff praise them for their helpfulness. Children are self-motivated and know the daily routines. They confidently self-register, hang up their jackets and access the toilet themselves. Children are ready for the next stage in their learning.
• Staff naturally embed early mathematical language, such as colours, numbers and shapes, throughout children's play. During a threading activity, pre-school children count 12 cotton reels. Staff provide additional challenge and ask children to count backwards from 12 and estimate the number of different-coloured reels they have. Children's self-confidence flourishes as staff give them praise for their excellent work.
• Children demonstrate a deep love of books. They listen intently as staff read a story about a duck who lives on a farm. Children fully engage, confidently suggesting ideas and asking questions. They respectfully listen to others and laugh together at the pictures. Children are highly confident communicators.
• Staff provide an abundance of activities to support children's small-muscle skills. Two-year-olds concentrate as they polish brass plates. They take care as they unroll the cleaning mat and unpack the polish. Children use small circular movements to make the plate shine. Other children practise with scissors. Staff provide different levels of challenge based on children's ability. Children remain highly focused as they cut along the lines. This helps them to develop the muscles they need for early writing.
• Staff are excellent role models. They teach children how to care for resources. Children put away every resource they use with care and attention. This ensures it is ready for the next child. Children manage themselves. When asked who would like to change activities to allow others to play, children readily volunteer so their friends can take a turn.
• Staff use daily routines to educate children about their health. Children confidently state that they brush their teeth so they do not get cavities as these will hurt. They know that they wash hands because germs would make their stomachs feel bad. Children know how to keep healthy.
• Parents are overwhelmingly positive. They state they are 'beyond thrilled' with the staff. They feel that staff are incredibly attentive and their children are more than ready for school.