Willow Park Montessori Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are safe and happy in this friendly and welcoming nursery. Staff are compassionate and nurturing, which helps new children settle quickly. Children are confident, and staff develop secure bonds with their key children. They spend their time talking and interacting with children, which motivates them to play in and explore the stimulating environment. Children test out their thoughts and ideas as they play. For example, pre-school children eagerly investigate materials and follow instructions in a booklet to build a complex structure. Children show high levels of concentration and focus.

The curriculum is varied and broad, providing children with learning experiences that promote curiosity and excitement. There is a strong emphasis on supporting children to become confident communicators. For example, children access the reading corner and select their favourite books, which staff then read to them. Within this supportive nursery, children make good progress in their learning and development.

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. They are positive role models for children. For example, they encourage children to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Children understand the rules and boundaries in place and follow routines well. For instance, children take turns when using resources. Staff regularly praise children's efforts and achievements. This helps to raise their self-esteem and develop their confidence to try new experiences. Children demonstrate respect towards each other and develop meaningful friendships.

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

• Leaders and staff implement a well-designed curriculum tailored to children's interests and needs. Children develop skills essential for their future. For instance, children learn how to make marks, form recognisable letters and write their names. These skills contribute to preparing children for the next steps in their educational journey.
• Staff enrich children's language skills and expand their understanding of the world. For example, pre-school children learn about various environmental features by exploring textures and colours. Children understand and are encouraged to use words such as 'mountain', 'ocean', 'island' and 'snow', which helps to extend their language development.
• Staff handle care routines for children sensitively and hygienically. For example, staff engage with young children in a comforting manner, talking and singing to them during nappy changes, fostering a positive and reassuring experience. This is one way that staff support children's physical and emotional needs.
• The daily routines promote self-care among children. They are encouraged to wash their hands before eating their meals and to feed themselves. However, at times, staff do not encourage children to attempt tasks for themselves, such as pouring water into their cups and wiping their noses. Consequently, these practices do not fully promote opportunities for children to develop their independence and self-care skills even further.
• Staff know the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles. Children are provided with nutritious, home-cooked meals and snacks. They enjoy daily fresh air and exercise in both the large garden area at the setting and the nearby park. This supports children to move in different ways to strengthen their muscles and build their coordination skills, which in turn contributes to children's overall well-being.
• Partnership with parents is positive. Parents speak highly of the nursery. They are appreciative of the care and attention their children receive from staff. Parents get to know their child's key person through effective settling-in and communication arrangements. Parents are pleased with the communication they receive, which includes daily updates on an online childcare application and verbal feedback. Parents report on the good level of progress their children make while attending the nursery.
• Leaders are passionate and dedicated to their roles. They engage in regular self-evaluation to identify further ways to build on their good practice. However, occasionally, leaders do not address areas for development in a timely manner. For example, leaders identify the support some staff need to develop their already good knowledge and skills in childcare further. However, this support is not always provided promptly to help staff to deliver the highest quality of care and education to the children.
• Staff have a good understanding of the reporting procedures if they have any concerns regarding the well-being of a child or the behaviour of staff members. Staff keep children safe throughout the day through ongoing risk assessments. Additionally, leaders follow robust recruitment processes to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. The premises are safe and secure.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• encourage children to attempt tasks for themselves to develop their independence and self-care skills even further
• address areas for development in a timely manner to raise good practice to the highest possible level.