Hollybush Montessori

Small-scale provision and practical independence give Hollybush Montessori its character: it has capacity for 16 children aged two to four, while its October 2024 daily life included children serving snacks and cleaning up afterwards. Responsibility was part of the learning.

At its 14 October 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective. The strengths were accompanied by two clear priorities: reducing time spent waiting during routines and improving how staff shared children's next learning steps.

In October 2024, the setting followed the Montessori method of education and philosophy, alongside the required early years foundation stage: the framework for children's learning, development and care, with play providing opportunities to practise new skills. Practical exploration included moving water between jugs using a sponge, alongside sorting and simple addition. These were tangible problems for children to work through.

Language had several routes into the day in October 2024. Weekly Spanish sessions added another language, while signs accompanied new songs. Book discussions extended beyond the story itself, including how dustbin lorries work and Black History Month, which introduced contributions by Black people to British life.

Outdoor play in October 2024 included tricycles and large bubbles for children to chase and burst. Putting on coats and shoes was also an opportunity to practise independence, although the transition outdoors sometimes left children waiting too long.

At the October 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that individually tailored settling sessions helped children feel secure, communication with families supported continuity, and assessment helped children make good progress. Information from parents shaped both care and learning, making settling a response to the child rather than a fixed routine.

In October 2024, families could talk with staff and receive photographs and written developmental updates through an online platform. Staff training also addressed support for multilingual children and those learning English as an additional language. Additional funding was directed towards individual children's needs.

Relationships were practised through everyday play in October 2024: children took turns with a toy stethoscope and were beginning to manage minor disagreements. Adults modelled polite conversation and used gentle reminders about safe behaviour indoors.

Hollybush Montessori is at Hollybush Hall, Common Road, Chorleywood, WD3 6AP. Its age range is two to four, with 16 places in total; that is whole-setting capacity, rather than a statement about any particular group.

In October 2024, opening hours were 9.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. At that date, the setting provided funded early education for two- and three-year-olds.

• Transitions outdoors. In October 2024, children who had finished dressing sometimes waited too long. Ask how those transitions now keep children occupied.
• Shared learning plans. In October 2024, staff did not consistently receive the latest individual learning intentions, so teaching sometimes missed the next step a child needed. Ask how these plans are now shared across the team.
• Term-time planning. The October 2024 opening pattern ran during term time. What attendance pattern would fit your family's week and school-holiday arrangements?

Hollybush Montessori suits parents seeking a small setting for children aged two to four, with an inspection-era emphasis on independence, language and practical discovery. Its October 2024 strengths were concrete: tailored settling, everyday responsibilities and communication with families. The decision points are equally concrete: how routines now work and how staff keep individual learning plans in view.