Islamic Montessori School

Letters, home-made stamps and a nursery post box give Islamic Montessori School's May 2022 picture a recognisable character: everyday play connected with communication and life beyond the setting. Based at the Islamic Centre, Wood Lane, Stanmore HA7 4LQ, it has capacity for 35 children.

At its May 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good overall, with Outstanding behaviour and attitudes. Children attending then were aged two to four. The strongest detail lies in how children played together, expressed their ideas and used practical resources, alongside two clear areas for development.

In May 2022, children composed letters and posted envelopes bearing stamps they had made themselves. This gave writing a purpose within imaginative play. An extendable tape measure brought measurement into play too: children compared their constructions and measured parts of their bodies.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the May 2022 examples connected those requirements with practical play, conversation and opportunities to explore quantities.

During that month, staff introduced vocabulary, listened to children's ideas and encouraged conversational turn-taking. Children also joined local recycling projects and explored cultural celebrations. Energetic play took place inside and outdoors, while activities linked movement with awareness of breathing and the body.

The limitation was precision. In May 2022, staff sometimes planned activities without sufficiently clear learning aims, making it harder to build closely on each child's existing knowledge.

At the May 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children making good progress, including those with SEND and those receiving funded education. That is a dated assessment of care and development.

In May 2022, attentive staff knew children well, and children welcomed others into their games. Speech and language training helped staff adapt their support for children with SEND; an online learning journal kept parents informed about development.

Lunches in May 2022 were nutritious, with staff attending to individual dietary requirements. Snack choices were less consistently healthy, and communication with parents needed to do more to encourage healthy eating and awareness of oral health.

The address is Islamic Centre, Wood Lane, Stanmore HA7 4LQ. In May 2022, opening hours were 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time.

Funded education for two-, three- and four-year-olds formed part of the May 2022 provision. These hours and funding arrangements describe that period, rather than a current attendance offer.

• Learning aims. In May 2022, activities did not always have sufficiently precise intended learning. Families should weigh the practical, engaging examples alongside this limitation in teaching.
• Healthy snacks. The May 2022 concern involved both snack choices and guidance for parents. The distinction between nutritious lunches and less consistent snacks matters for families prioritising eating habits.
• Present-day arrangements. Which attendance patterns and funded-hour arrangements apply now? Make this a central visit question, given the May 2022 operating picture.

Islamic Montessori School merits consideration from families drawn to practical preschool learning and an emphasis on considerate behaviour. Its May 2022 picture combines purposeful writing, measurement through play and attentive relationships. The same picture leaves room for sharper teaching intentions and better guidance around snacks. Families seeking term-time care have a useful starting point, with the dated operating arrangements requiring attention before choosing.