Newpark Montessori Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff foster a warm and supportive atmosphere that encourages children to thrive. This has a significant benefit for children's emotional well-being. As a result, children, including those who have recently joined the nursery, are happy and emotionally secure. Staff consistently remind children of their rules and boundaries. For instance, they ask children to sit down while drinking to minimise accidents. Children develop good habits to keep themselves safe. They learn to behave well.

Staff's curriculum is ambitious, which includes the views of children. They create many opportunities to develop children's language skills, which benefits children well, including those who speak English as an additional language (EAL). For example, staff working with younger children sing songs and use musical instruments to encourage participation. Children enjoy repeating nursery rhymes and refrains. Staff also frequently read storybooks to children, to foster a love of reading. Additionally, during a fruit tasting activity, staff introduced descriptive words, such as, 'soft, hard' and 'crunchy' to build on children's vocabulary. This practice motivates children to use their listening and speaking skills.

Staff promote children's physical skills well. They encourage children to use ride-on toys and balance on wooden beams in the outside environment. These learning experiences boost children's self-esteem and confidence in their physical abilities while encouraging them to embrace new challenges.

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

• The newly appointed managers are enthusiastic about their work with children. They set high expectations for all staff and children, which positively impacts their well-being. Children feel supported and display positive behaviours, such as collaboration and a willingness to engage in activities.
• Staff observe and monitor children's progress effectively. They use the information gathered to identify any gaps in learning, such as in speech development. This contributes to the good progress children make, including those who speak EAL.
• Staff's ambitious curriculum emphasises children's independence skills. This is particularly evident at snack and mealtimes. For instance, staff give older children plenty of age-appropriate tasks to help prepare their meals. Children become busy arranging tables and chairs and laying out cutlery and glasses for their peers. When children accidentally spill their water, they have learned to wipe it with minimal adult support. Children develop essential skills that are essential for their future education and life.
• Staff nurture children's creativity and artistic skills. They encourage children to explore various media, including painting, collage making and sticking activities.
• Children enjoy using different art and craft resources that help widen their imaginations.
• Staff, including new and less experienced, are pleased with the support they receive from their managers. They appreciate the positive working environment, which significantly boosts their morale. Some staff are pursuing their Montessori Diploma to enhance their knowledge in early years education. However, occasionally, managers do not precisely identify the training needs of all staff as they engage and interact with children. This slightly reduces opportunities to boost their confidence and further enhance children's learning.
• Staff work diligently to build strong relationships with parents, who appreciate their efforts. They enjoy reading the 'Complete Guidebook', which keeps them informed about their children's learning and daily activities. Additionally, parents value the cultural events and outings staff organise, as these experiences enhance their children's understanding of diversity. Overall, parents are satisfied with the communication they receive from staff. However, staff do not consistently update parents about their children's key person in a timely manner, to better support children's care and learning.
• Staff prioritise children's health and well-being. They have earned a healthy eating award, which demonstrates their commitment to promoting children's good health. In addition, staff ensure that children wash their hands at appropriate times to help prevent the spread of germs and infectious illnesses. Children learn good habits that protect their health.
• Managers work closely with their local early years adviser to help reflect rigorously on their practice. They have reviewed the daily routines to cater for the needs of younger and new children even more effectively. Children enjoy their meals in a relaxed and calm environment.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen the support for staff, including those newer to the provision, to enhance their existing skills and children's learning experiences
• enhance arrangements for sharing information with parents to ensure all parents and/or carers are aware of their children's key person.