Little Sponges Montessori

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff warmly welcome children on arrival and support them to settle in well. They place a high priority on children's personal, social and emotional well-being and demonstrate a caring and kind nature. Staff support children to learn vocabulary to describe how they are feeling and help them to manage their emotions. Children are encouraged to be independent from the start. They hang up their coats and put their belongings in the designated place. Children make choices when selecting activities and learn to take responsibility for the resources and the environment.

Staff plan a well organised and sequenced curriculum, which builds on children's interests. They provide all children with a wide range of exciting resources, which sparks children's imaginations and curiosity, including those children who may need some additional support. For example, children investigate how magnetic winches on trucks can pick up different items and test out their theories. Staff recap on previous learning, and children talk about the solar system and discuss which planets are closest to earth. Children increase their fine motor skills as they build, draw and use tools.

Staff role model expected behaviour and use praise and encouragement. Children share resources, listen and follow instructions. They behave well.

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

• Leaders gather detailed information from parents when children start at the nursery. This helps them to get to know the children and plan for their learning. Staff follow children's interests and build on their previous experiences. They use observations and assessments to ensure that all children are making good progress across the curriculum areas and are fully prepared for their move to school.
• Staff promote children's communication and language effectively. They engage children in discussions, ask questions and introduce new words. Children enjoy singing and sharing stories, which they retell using props. Staff ensure that children have opportunities to share ideas during circle time and activities. This supports children to become confident communicators.
• Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents speak highly of the nursery and of how much their children enjoy attending. They feel part of their children's learning and receive regular updates on their progress, next steps and ideas to continue learning at home. Parents state their children are flourishing and are making great progress, especially with their language, knowledge of the wider world and independence.
• The staff promote a culture of diversity and inclusion. They use parents' knowledge, resources and activities to increase children's understanding of disabilities and other cultures. Children celebrate different festivals and learn about their own uniqueness. Staff expose children to different languages to help all children feel valued and broaden their understanding of diversity.
• Overall, staff engage well with children and provide demonstrations as they explore the Montessori equipment. Children show excellent concentration and strive to complete tasks. Staff spark conversations and give children time to respond to questions. However, there are inconsistencies in teaching when challenging children's thinking to ensure that their learning is fully extended.
• Staff teach children about healthy lifestyles and the importance of eating a balanced and nutritious diet. Children also learn about the benefits of drinking water to stay hydrated. Staff promote children's physical play and provide activities to strengthen their balance and coordination. They ensure that children follow good hygiene routines and learn about oral health.
• Staff extend children's understanding of mathematics and build on their level of understanding. Younger children practise building with different-sized bricks, learn the name of shapes and count. Older children compare lengths and heights and show an understanding of time. Staff support most-able children to recognise decimals and place value of tens, hundreds and thousands.
• Leaders follow safer recruitment procedures and support staff's well-being. Staff receive supervision and access training to increase their knowledge and understanding. Leaders are passionate about providing high-quality care and education. They reflect and evaluate their practice and seek views from parents to help identify areas for improvement.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to strengthen their interactions during activities to challenge children's thinking further to extend their learning.