Little Stars Nursery (Private)

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Staff welcome children with enthusiasm and warmth when they first arrive.

Children are keen to find their name-cards to register their arrival. Older children are caring and kind to younger children and they recognise if someone is sad. Older children hold younger children's hands and sensitively encourage them to join in with play.

Children behave excellently and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. Children are curious learners. They were excited at the different-sized snails they found outdoors.

Staff responded to the children's growing fascination with bugs. For example, they encouraged child...ren to recognise the 'smallest' and 'biggest' snails, and to use a magnifying glass and describe the detailed patterns on the shells. Children's early communication and language skills progress tremendously well.

Weekly 'wow words' extend children's growing vocabulary very well. Staff use every learning opportunity to sing songs, rhymes and clap rhythms. Children remember and recite songs with great enthusiasm.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported to an extremely high level. Staff are hugely dedicated to improving outcomes for all children.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

The manager shares her high standards, values and vision with staff to promote the best possible learning and development for all children.

She acts with integrity to ensure funding is used effectively to meet the needs of individual children. Money raised from sponsored fitness incentives is used by the nursery to enhance children's learning experiences.Staff benefit from regular individual supervision and team meetings to develop their skills.

They attend a wide range of training, and have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Staff morale is high.A bespoke plan, with reasonable adjustments for children with SEND, ensures the delivery of a detailed and inspiring curriculum that includes all children.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are promoted to a very high level. All children learn very well.The manager consistently helps staff to strengthen their understanding of the experiences and activities they provide across all areas of learning.

This helps to implement the curriculum, and successfully enhances and extends children's learning and development.Children benefit from many opportunities to help them to engage for long periods. For example, children eagerly mixed together real food in the outdoor kitchen.

Additionally, they printed different fruit shapes with sponges, and concentrated as they felt and considered the sensory textures of pebbles and shells. Children consistently show enjoyment and curiosity.Children's good health is promoted successfully.

They enjoy healthy snacks and plenty of drinking water to keep hydrated. Children spend a great deal of time outdoors and have ample fresh air. They participate in physical activities, such as ball games, and confidently ride bicycles.

Children enthusiastically followed instructions from a football coach, and found the whistle hidden under a cone. Staff keenly promote the benefits of eating healthily. For instance, they explain to children that fresh fruit is 'good to eat' and 'helps to make us big and strong'.

Staff skilfully observe children and successfully monitor and assess their achievements over time. Gaps in children's learning and development are swiftly identified. Staff expertly work in partnership with parents and other professionals, to establish a continuous and shared approach and early intervention.

This helps all children to develop the skills required for the next stages in their learning, and prepares them exceptionally well for their move to school.Children's knowledge and skills are enhanced by interactions with staff throughout play. For example, staff support children to learn new words as they pretend to cook in the play kitchen.

Also staff consistently support children to develop good early writing skills. For example, children hold pencils firmly and make good attempts to write their names.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager and staff understand their responsibility to safeguard and protect children. They attend safeguarding and child protection training to ensure their knowledge is up to date. Staff can articulate the signs of possible abuse and neglect.

They know the procedures to follow in the event of a concern being raised about a child's safety, and the whistle-blowing procedures. The manager follows robust recruitment and vetting procedures to ensure that all staff, volunteers and external providers are suitable to work with children. Staff supervise children well and ensure a safe environment is maintained.