Little Seeds Montessori

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and highly engaged in this calm and enticing pre-school. They benefit from exceptional quality interactions with staff. Children show that they feel safe and secure as they immerse themselves in activities. For example, children show high levels of fascination and intrigue as they learn about the solar system. Staff ask them thought-provoking questions to develop children's thinking skills, such as, 'What would happen if you lived on the sun?' Children have a wide range of resources to choose from. They show high levels of respect and care for their pre-school and the resources they use. Staff expertly break down instructions so that children have a level of challenge that is matched precisely to their stage of development. For example, children learn to find a cleaning cloth and spray bottle to wipe away their mess. They then dry the table after it is clean. Older children show how well they have learned these routines as they carry out these tasks independently.

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are beautifully guided by the kind and caring staff who help children regulate their behaviour, share and take turns. Children act with integrity. For example, without being asked, children pick up other's water bottles that fall off the table and return them to their owners. Children automatically say 'thank you' in response.

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

• The manager implements a sequential curriculum, tailored to children's individual needs and development. Staff understand and implement the Montessori approach well. The activities and resources complement and support the early years foundation stage, providing experiences and learning through all areas of learning. Staff have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the children they care for. As a result, children make outstanding progress with this progressive curriculum.
• Parents recognise the impact this pre-school has on their children's developmental progress. They say their children's 'gross motor skills have come on leaps and bounds' and they now have 'huge confidence' when using challenging equipment at the park. The key-worker system is highly effective in ensuring that parents are kept informed of their children's learning, developmental next steps and daily routines.
• Partnerships are effective in ensuring children's progress is monitored holistically. Staff share regular assessments of children's development with parents. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) has formed positive working relationships with external agencies and the local authority SENCo. As a result, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make continued positive progress.
• Children are confident to express themselves and use their wide vocabulary to do so. Staff constantly expose children to new words as they play and explore books. For example, as they turn the pages of a book about the human body, staff explain that 'lungs fill up when you breathe' and 'blood travels around the body'. Children develop a love for books, which they independently access and share with friends. When children are tired, they snuggle into comfy chairs in the 'peace corner' and look through books.
• Mathematics is taught in an exemplary way. Staff explain that children learn simple mathematical concepts through concrete experiences, such as making models. Children are then supported to learn abstract concepts, such as large quantities. For example, children demonstrate excellent number knowledge as they talk about the number of tens, hundreds and thousands they have as they role play 'banks' with staff.
• Children have regular opportunities to learn and practise physical skills. For example, when hungry, children use knives to skilfully chop up fruit and vegetables to eat. Once finished, they wash up their plates and cutlery. Outdoors, they engage in play that supports their gross motor skills, such as weaving between obstacles when riding on bikes and scooters. Children enjoy mark making as they use chalks and paints to draw large pictures. As a result, children develop excellent physical control and coordination.
• The manager's passion for providing high-quality care and education is infectious. Her calm and gentle nature is reflected through the staff's practice. This creates a highly effective team, where staff report positive well-being and satisfaction in their role.