Montessori & Me Nursery & Out of School Club

Independence is the thread running through Montessori & Me Nursery & Out of School Club. At its April and May 2024 inspection, children settled well, formed close bonds with their key person and confidently sought help from staff. Ofsted judged the nursery Good across education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Safeguarding arrangements were effective. Children learn through play across the areas of learning, not through formal lessons.

The setting cares for children from three months to five years at 319 High Road, Romford, RM6 6AX. Its programme gave children repeated chances to do things for themselves, from managing belongings to serving their own meals.

The Early Years Foundation Stage sets the areas of learning that shape nursery education. In parent terms, this means children learn through play and everyday routines rather than formal lessons. Here, that meant practical experiences spanning physical development, early mathematics, communication and literacy. Older children rode tricycles and climbed outdoors, while younger children painted, worked with play dough and explored soft spaghetti. These are simple, purposeful experiences: hands, balance and coordination develop alongside curiosity.

Stories and nursery rhymes carried real weight. The oldest children listened closely and recalled parts of stories, while staff used simple mathematical language in play. Some staff extended the youngest children's communication skilfully in group activities, but this was less consistent through the rest of the daily routine. Leaders were asked to improve staff knowledge so interactions promote communication and language more effectively.

Close key-person relationships were a strength in 2024. Children separated from parents with ease, played together and shared resources; when they needed extra support, staff calmly explained kind play and modelled respectful behaviour. Young children slept in a calm space and were monitored well.

Children washed their hands before eating and learned to serve their own meals. Systems involving the cook took account of dietary needs and parent preferences. Parents also received regular information about their child's day, experiences and development, giving families a practical link between nursery life and home.

The nursery is at 319 High Road, Romford, RM6 6AX and accepts children from three months to five years. Families should request a current written quotation directly from the nursery.

• Communication practice. Ofsted found in 2024 that strong support for the youngest children's language was not consistent across the day. Families may want to discuss how leaders have developed everyday staff interactions since that inspection.
• Daily arrangements. Ask during a visit how the day is organised for your child's age, including settling and sleep, and what families need to provide for meals and personal care.

Montessori & Me is best suited to families who value practical independence, warm key-person bonds and a day built around stories, movement and hands-on exploration. The Good 2024 judgement and effective safeguarding provide solid reassurance, while the communication-and-language improvement point is the clear question for parents to revisit. This is a positive inspection picture with one focused area still worth testing in conversation.