Little Advocates Montessori Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive at this highly inclusive and inviting setting. They form wonderful relationships with one another and show that they feel safe and secure in the care of the nurturing staff. Children show deep engagement in their play and create their own imaginary games. For instance, they wrap each other up in blankets, offering soft toys and comforters, and pretend to go to sleep. Children take on roles of parents and care for their 'children'. Children ask each other if they are okay and if they would like anything to eat. They demonstrate superb social skills.

Children's behaviour is remarkable. They take pride in their work and their achievements. Children quickly learn the routine of the setting and understand the rules. One example of this is learning to return resources and equipment to where it belongs. They brush floors with dustpans and brushes and wash down tables with wet cloths. Children use their real-life experiences through games. They use toothpaste and brushes to clean giant-sized teeth. Children benefit from visits from the local dentist and follow excellent hygiene practices. They share stories with visitors about older siblings, who remind them to brush their teeth every day.

Children develop excellent literacy skills. They recognise letters and make marks in flour. Children are exceptionally well prepared for their next stage in learning and their eventual move to school.

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

• The manager is highly ambitious and driven. She has worked exceptionally hard and has a clear vision of what it is that she wants children to learn. This is shown through the highly ambitious curriculum in place. The manager skilfully works alongside her dedicated staff team to offer exceptional levels of coaching, support and mentoring. This helps her to shape and model excellent practice. In addition, there are regular supervision sessions in place. The manager places a strong emphasis on promoting staff well-being and gathers staff views when evaluating her outstanding practice.
• Parents speak extremely highly of the setting. They comment on how nurturing staff are towards their children in helping them to settle into the setting. Parents are provided with a wealth of information about children's learning and development and ways that their learning can be continued at home. They are invited into the setting for stay-and-play sessions and compliment staff on their regular communication.
• Children demonstrate excellent physical skills. They laugh as they ride bikes through large puddles in the outdoor area. They play together on see-saws and giggle as they lift each other higher. Children show high levels of engagement as they benefit from calming yoga sessions and practise moving their bodies in different ways. Staff support children to learn how to take deep, relaxing breaths and understand the effect of physical exercise on their bodies.
• The manager and staff work in partnership with other professionals, including schools where children attend. They share extensive information about children's learning and development and invite teachers into the setting before children start school. There is a strong emphasis on promoting children's independence. This includes children learning to dress themselves. Children show deep concentration as they learn how to use various fastenings, including laces and buttons. Their learning is evident when children are able to confidently change their clothes after outdoor play and getting ready to go home.
• Children demonstrate excellent levels of self-confidence and self-esteem. Staff shower children with an abundance of praise. They thank children for completing tasks and encourage them to have a go at tasks that they might find difficult. Staff support, model and celebrate with children as they master new challenges.
• Children pretend to read stories to staff. They show a love of books and recall stories being read to them. Children look at pictures and retell the story. Staff pay attention and ask well-timed questions to help encourage children's thinking skills. Children join in with songs and rhymes. Staff complete assessments and observations of children's learning. They swiftly identify any delay in children's communication and language skills with precision and place timely interventions in place to help all children make excellent progress.
• Children benefit from a range of healthy and nutritious foods at mealtimes. The manager and staff seek children's views on food preferences they have and put this into practice. Children learn about what foods are good for our bodies and foods we can eat in moderation.