Staff at a pre-school “cried with joy” when it received an 'outstanding' rating from Ofsted.
Children at Little Seeds Montessori in the High Street, Bovingdon, were described as “happy and highly engaged” in a report released on June 26.
The nursery that provides schooling for children aged two to five was given outstanding in all areas after its May 25 inspection.
Owner and teacher, Angie de Mink, said the inspection was “stressful” but the grading “validates all the hard work we put in every day”.
She added: “Myself and the staff were really very happy. I think most of us cried with joy when we received the news.”
Inspectors found that the children were safe and secure as they “immerse themselves in activities”.
Their thinking skills were also developed when staff asked them thought-provoking questions such as ‘what would happen if you lived on the sun?’.
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Children’s behaviour was described as “exemplary”, and an example was given that children will pick up others' water bottles without being asked and return them to their owners. Kids would automatically say ‘thank you’ in response.
The school was praised for its approach to teaching maths as teachers held role play sessions such as in banks with the students and staff.
Children are also taught to wash their plates and cutlery when they finish eating and develop other physical skills such as using knives to chop fruit and vegetables to eat.
Arrangements for safeguarding are effective, and staff attend training to safely protect the children.
Staff were described as consistently promoting rules that keep children safe, which as a result, children show visible understanding how to use equipment safely.
Ms de Mink said: “As we are a Montessori setting, so considered to be alternative, we had a steeper hill to climb than mainstream settings when it came to ticking all of Ofsted's boxes, so I am really proud that we managed it.
“The Ofsted inspector was very complimentary about the Montessori curriculum and how sequential it is and how well it is designed to fit with how children learn and develop.”
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