Les Petites Etoiles Bilingual Montessori, Crouch Hill

English and French threaded through the day give this Crouch Hill nursery its character. In September 2022, children practised words and short sentences in both languages as staff moved between them. Language learning extended beyond a separate activity into everyday conversation.

At its September 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that staff worked with families and other professionals to secure targeted support for children who needed it. The current age range is 6 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. In September 2022, those areas took practical form through using words and short sentences, learning to wash hands and feed themselves, and developing coordination through play. These are everyday learning opportunities: conversation, personal care and physical activity all contribute to a child's development.

Alongside that framework, the Montessori curriculum gave children opportunities to revisit learning and practise skills in September 2022. Repetition was part of the educational approach, allowing children to return to something they had already begun learning rather than always moving to a new activity.

During that month, children could select activities according to their interests, with adults joining their play and extending it. Choice and adult involvement worked together: children had a say in what occupied them, while practitioners helped take the activity further. That gives parents a useful picture of the balance between independent exploration and adult support at that time.

Independence had practical expression: older children managed personal care, while younger children practised handwashing and feeding themselves. Learning to do these things was part of the day, giving children opportunities to practise useful skills during ordinary routines.

Books connected nursery and home. In September 2022, reading areas were stocked indoors and outside, and a lending library let children take books home. Physical activities included retrieving plastic ducks with fishing rods from a water tray, giving children practice in coordinating hands and eyes; outdoor equipment supported bigger movements.

In September 2022, settling arrangements included home visits to learn about each child before they started. That approach brought information from home into the starting process, helping staff get to know the child before nursery attendance began. Key persons shared daily updates about learning and care with parents. That gave families a continuing point of contact, rather than making communication depend solely on occasional meetings.

Support for practitioners also formed part of the September 2022 arrangements. Professional development was planned, and staff received regular supervision. For families, these are useful details beneath the overall judgement: the organisation of care included opportunities for practitioners to develop their teaching and discuss their work.

Two weaknesses qualified that picture. At the time, babies sometimes lacked access to the materials that interested them while adjusting to nursery, and preschool staff applied behaviour expectations unevenly during group activities and changes between activities. Both mattered to children's experience: familiar interests could help babies settle, while consistent expectations could make group routines clearer.

In September 2022, staff received safeguarding training regularly, and their suitability was checked before they began work. Risk assessments were used to identify potential hazards.

Meals and snacks formed part of the September 2022 day, alongside activities teaching children about staying healthy.

The address is 33 Crouch Hill, London, N4 4AP. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, with closures of two weeks at Christmas, one week at Easter and two weeks in August. Those breaks need to fit the family's annual childcare arrangements.

• Baby settling. September 2022 identified access to preferred play materials as an improvement point. On a visit, ask how those materials now remain accessible during settling.
• Preschool routines. September 2022 highlighted inconsistent behaviour expectations during group activities and transitions. Ask how practitioners establish a shared approach today.
• Holiday cover. Christmas, Easter and August closures require planning. Weigh those breaks against work commitments and family support.

This nursery suits families interested in the English-and-French Montessori provision described at the September 2022 inspection, whose childcare arrangements fit weekday opening hours and the holiday closures. The September 2022 Good judgement provides a positive inspection position, balanced by specific concerns about baby settling and preschool routines.