Little Stars

Little Stars Swindon College, North Star Avenue, Swindon, SN2 1DY

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 January 2017 22 May 2014

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Leaders and staff have high expectations for maintaining good outcomes for children. They successfully identify areas for improvement through detailed self-evaluation. They have targeted effectively the recommendations set at the last inspection. For example, there are increased opportunities for children to write independently.  Staff have a good understanding of how children learn, and they plan engaging activities. They complete regular assessments and leaders monitor children's achievements, to plan effectively and narrow any gaps in learning. Children make good progress.  Children behave well. Staff support children to understand about fairness, how to take turns, share and be kind. Children are very considerate of their friends' needs, such as passing on the water jug to other children at the lunch table.  Leaders and staff develop good relationships with other professionals and early years

p.1

This provision is good

settings. They work closely to meet children's care, development and learning needs.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, staff complete simple tasks for older children rather than encouraging them to do things for themselves to develop further their independence skills.  Leaders and staff do not ensure that all parents are fully informed of their children's progress and what they need to learn next, so they can work more consistently together to meet children's needs.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 offer more support for staff to know when to encourage children to manage tasks for themselves, to further support children's independence  share information more effectively with all parents, to keep them fully informed about their children's next steps for learning so that they can work consistently together with staff to meet children's needs.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the activities and the quality of teaching throughout the setting.  The inspector held discussions with the leadership team and spoke with children and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a sample of documentation, including staff suitability checks, self-evaluation, observations, assessments, planning records, and documentation linked to checking children's progress.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.  The inspector conducted a joint observation of staff practice and discussed this with the manager.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Leaders and staff update their safeguarding knowledge regularly. They fully understand their responsibility to protect children and know what they need to do if they are concerned about a child's welfare. Safeguarding is effective. Recruitment and induction procedures are rigorous to help ensure the ongoing suitability of staff. Leaders have developed effective systems to support the well-qualified staff. For example, they have regular supervision and team meetings to help develop staff practice. Staff are supported well with training opportunities to update their professional knowledge and expertise. This has a positive impact on children's learning outcomes. For example, staff have used new knowledge well to support children to develop an early understanding of linking sounds to letters.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff work closely with parents when children first start. They find out about children's likes, interests and abilities so they can plan for their learning from the outset. Staff support children well to develop their mathematical knowledge. For example, staff helped children to understand about the concepts of heavier and lighter as children noticed the changes in balance while they used the seesaw. Younger children engage enthusiastically in imaginary role play. Staff plan for younger children to gain useful early literacy skills. For example, children complete tick charts and forms in their fire station role play, to check they have all the play resources they need to put out pretend fires.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff help children well to settle with the move into the setting and between the rooms. They offer comfort and reassurance to help children feel secure. All children benefit from outdoor play and exercise to support their physical development. Staff support children with activities, such as self-portraits to help children to understand about similarities and differences between themselves and others. Young children enjoy being helpful; for instance, babies are encouraged to take a full part in putting away their toys at the end of their play times. Staff teach older children about keeping themselves safe, such as reminding them how to handle and use scissors safely.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children develop good skills to prepare them well for the next stage in their learning, including going to school. For example, older children develop a good knowledge of letters and sounds, and enjoy activities to develop this further. Children are confident, happy and motivated to learn. All children make good progress. They are competent communicators who confidently ask questions. For example, children were keen to know how the breakfast cereals they used in their creative activities were made.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY271568 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 1068677 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 65 Number of children on roll 104 Name of registered person Swindon College

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 May 2014 Telephone number 01793 498 430

p.4

reference number

Little Stars nursery registered in 2003. It operates from premises on the site of Swindon College. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery is open each weekday for 48 weeks of the year. Sessions are from Monday to Thursday from 8am to 5.30pm and on Friday from 8am to 5pm. There are 21 staff working with the children; of these, three hold early years qualifications at level 6, one holds a qualification at level 5, 15 hold a qualification at level 3 and two are qualified at level 2.

p.4

reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

p.4

reference number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5