Phoenix Montessori Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children delight in spending time in the highly nurturing pre-school. They confidently take part in a wide range of planned activities. For example, children perform on the stage, retelling stories and songs. They develop high levels of self-esteem and know they are cherished by the staff. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They respond very well to the high expectations staff have for their learning. For example, children remember the words and sign language for songs they sing regularly. They talk knowledgeably about the slime trail of the giant African land snails. Children are confident talkers, who recall and share what they did when they took the pre-school teddy bear home. Staff skilfully introduce new words, such as mischievous, when children talk about the Christmas elf activities.

Children behave exceptionally well. They know what is expected of them and show that they care for their friends and staff. Children eagerly take turns while playing a game of skittles. They know how to keep safe when using the indoor gym. For example, they remove their shoes when climbing on gym equipment so as not to accidentally hurt their friends. Children are highly motivated learners, who show curiosity in the world around them. They demonstrate that prior learning is securely embedded. For instance, they confidently explain how to hold and use scissors safely.

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

• The manager provides a broad and balanced curriculum designed to help children build their knowledge and skills over time. The curriculum successfully blends elements of Montessori practice and is shared extremely well with staff. This helps staff to provide high-quality interactions and learning experiences for all children.
• Staff gather detailed information from parents when children first start. This helps them to plan meaningful experiences to help children settle and successfully engage them in learning. Staff know their key children incredibly well. They plan challenging and stimulating learning experiences that reflect children's individual interests. This helps children to securely embed new learning and skills. Staff work exceptionally well with other agencies to ensure children benefit from consistency in their care and learning.
• Children develop a strong sense of their individuality. Staff help children to learn about and celebrate festivals and events that are important to them and their friends. Children show the utmost respect and interest as they celebrate the diversity in their local community.
• Children show high levels of independence. For example, they independently wash their hands and collect their lunch bags. Children are eager to do things for themselves, showing great perseverance, such as when putting on their coats, socks, and shoes. They are kind and help their friends to do up the zip on their coats when they find it tricky.
• Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the pre-school and state that they know exactly what their children are learning. They are kept up to date with their children's achievements and staff help them to support ongoing learning at home. The pre-school remained open since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Parents state that they received resources and ideas to support children's learning during national periods of lockdown.
• Staff inspire children to develop a love of reading. They read stories throughout the day and children delight in joining in with repeated rhymes and familiar tales. Staff use books to support children's language development. They regularly introduce new words, themes, and ideas for children to discuss further. For example, children talk about things they are thankful for, such as their families and friends.
• The manager supports the staff team very well with thoughtful consideration for staff well-being. The manager has a strong focus on supporting staff with their ongoing professional development. She ensures all staff benefit from training to develop their knowledge and skills. Staff share new knowledge with the team to help to continually improve the consistently high-quality teaching.
• Staff expertly motivate children to learn. Children thoroughly enjoy preparing snack for their friends. They learn to safely cut fruit with knives. When cutting fruit, staff encourage children to examine the seeds, to compare the size of different fruit and speculate about the sweet taste. Children know what would happen if they plant the seeds and what the seeds need to grow.