Rozey Days Montessori Kingswood

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children very much enjoy the experiences on offer at this nursery. They confidently select activity trays to undertake challenges and tasks, such as completing a puzzle independently. Staff differentiate the curriculum carefully for children's different ages and abilities. Babies develop their coordination, inspired to scoop rose petals into containers or connect pieces together exploring shapes. Two-year-olds build their dexterity successfully. They scoop and pour items using jugs and different-sized containers and use brushes to carefully dab and mix coloured water to create different effects. Three-year-olds learn to use equipment as they squeeze lemons and crush mint to make lemonade. Older children develop the skills they need in readiness for early writing. They draw, create and use tools, showing good confidence with these.

Parents say this is a warm, respectful and enriching setting. Children's well-being is fostered sensitively. They build strong bonds with staff. Babies smile broadly and cuddle with staff on their arrival, clearly pleased to see them. The atmosphere is calm, and staff help children appreciate others' needs and the boundaries in place for their safety. Children learn to use real crockery and glasses, being very careful with these. Staff help the younger children welcome those children joining the snack table and make sure they all share items. Parents are very grateful for the staff helping their children learn about and deal with their emotions and negotiate through family changes and events.

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

• Staff share lots of information with parents and keep them well informed. They gain parents' views on practice. They then enhance the experiences families receive, such as refining drop-off arrangements, supporting children to quickly settle into the nursery on their arrival. Staff provide evenings where parents can discuss children's development and learn about the nursery's teaching and approach, beneficially helping with ideas for continuing children's learning at home.
• Children's understanding and speech progress well. This includes those that speak more than one language. Staff offer children clear instructions and explanations, and they model words. They encourage children's literacy development. They skilfully teach older children to use print as a source of information, such as to follow a basic recipe when making lemonade. Staff use books and useful resources to teach children about life cycles. Children are fascinated to watch and hear about real caterpillars and learn new concepts and words such as 'cocoon' and 'chrysalis'.
• Key persons liaise closely with parents to build a clear picture of children's needs. They help prepare children for their move on to school, working with parents to close any gaps in children's learning. They offer advice and support to parents to get any additional help children may need, including from outside professionals. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those in receipt of additional funding are closely supported to reach their potential.
• Staff often deliver the curriculum well, adapting their teaching and guiding children back to tasks effectively. However, during some group activities, they do not plan or adjust their support sufficiently, which limits children's engagement and learning.
• This is a diverse and inclusive nursery where children's uniqueness is celebrated. There are many multilingual staff and children, and families' different religions and festivals are included in the curriculum. Parents discuss that staff are broadening children's minds, helping their appreciation of others and their understanding of the world.
• Children gain independence skills well above their age. This is a key strength of the nursery. Staff carefully think through the routines of the day. Two-year-olds learn to peel and cut up fruit for their snack and pour their own drinks. Children set tables for their meals and work hard to make sure everyone has the items they need. They serve themselves their lunch and conscientiously tidy their things away and clean the tables. Children show strong attitudes to doing things for themselves. They develop their sense of responsibility and key life skills.
• Staff are supported thoughtfully in their work at the nursery. Leaders empower them to request, discuss and undertake training. They offer lots of opportunities for staff to discuss their role and practice, both on an individual and team level, helping develop staff's skills further. Leaders work with the team to carefully evaluate all aspects and take note of areas for development, working collaboratively they show dedication to their continuous improvement.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• adapt plans and support during group activities to extend children's listening and attention as much as possible and their engagement and learning further.