A Montessori school has been inspected by Ofsted a year after it opened in Buckinghamshire.
The education watchdog Ofsted visited Bois Moor Montessori school in Chesham, giving the nursery a ‘good’ rating following the inspection on October 18.
The nursery’s first rating comes a year after it first opened to provide early-years education to 67 children based on the Montessori approach, which focuses on the independence of each child.
Children at the nursery, aged from under one-year-old up to four-years-old, formed “strong relationships with staff” and children felt “able to ask for help when needed”.
The children fostered a relationship with the surrounding nature, collecting twigs and leaves during walks to use in play and craft.
The staff have “high expectations” for the children, the inspector said. They ensured children have “many opportunities” to make choices about their play and they provided activities to promote the children’s physical development and coordination.
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The inspector said the management team, including a newly appointed manager, has an “ambitious vision” for the nursery and a passion to improve children’s outcomes.
Children at the nursery were beginning to show emotional awareness and they built “strong friendships.”
“They play together and show affection and care towards each other,” Ofsted said.
Although staff have effective methods for supporting children when they are upset to regulate their emotions and express their needs, there were some “inconsistencies” how the methods were used for older children, the report said.
Some “minor conflicts” occurred as a result of staff not supporting older children to consider how they actions affect others, and Ofsted told the nursery to strengthen the support for children to regulate their emotions.
Children’s speech and language needs were supported “well,” with staff recognising children’s “individual communication needs,” the inspector noted.
A spokesperson for Ashbourne Day Nurseries, which owns Bois Moor Montessori, said: “Chesham Bois Montessori, part of Montessori by Ashbourne Day Nurseries, are thrilled to receive a rating of "Good" in our recent Ofsted inspection. This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional education and childcare services rooted in the Montessori approach.
“Receiving a "Good" rating from Ofsted affirms our continued dedication to providing a safe and structured environment that supports children's holistic development. We are proud of our role in nurturing confident, independent, and well-rounded individuals who are well-prepared for future educational milestones.
“Bois Moor Montessori remains committed to upholding the principles of the Montessori approach and ensuring that our children flourish in a nurturing and stimulating environment. We are delighted to receive the "Good" rating from Ofsted, which further reinforces our dedication to providing outstanding care, education, and support for each child in our care.”
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