Little Stars Preschool

Little Stars Preschool c/o Yarlside Primary School, Redoak Avenue, BARROW-IN-FURNESS, Cumbria, LA13 0LH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 April 2017 23 March 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The manager and staff are committed to maintaining and improving the already good quality of the pre-school. They are reflective practitioners, effectively sharing ideas and using feedback from parents and children to support improvement.  The manager ensures that training and development opportunities for staff are used effectively. New ideas and suggestions are implemented effectively and have a positive impact on the setting and children's achievements.  Staff use their skills and qualifications well. Observations of children at play are effectively assessed. Children make good progress in their learning and development.  Overall, partnerships with parents are good. Parents receive good information about the progress their children make in their learning. They comment on how supportive and welcoming staff are and how well their children settle.  Staff support children effectively in managing their behaviour. Children have

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This provision is good

opportunities to explore their emotions and talk about how they feel.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not gather detailed information from parents about children's development when children start at the setting.  Staff promote very good conversational skills with children. However, there are times when they do not encourage children to think more deeply and further advance their problem-solving skills.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 gather more detailed information from parents about what children already know and can do when they start at the setting  help children to develop deeper thinking skills that encourage them to solve problems independently.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the premises. She held discussions with children, the manager and staff.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching activities during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector viewed relevant documents, and discussed self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of all staff working in the pre-school.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have a good understanding of how to protect the children in their care. Staff are knowledgeable about the procedures to take should they have a concern about the welfare of a child. The setting is safe and secure. Regular risk assessments and daily checks on the environment help to minimise risk, keeping children safe. Effective recruitment, induction procedures and supervision meetings ensure that staff are well qualified and suitable to care for children. The manager monitors children's progress carefully. This helps her and the staff respond to individual children, meet their emerging needs and prioritise learning opportunities.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Overall, staff have a good understanding of how children learn. They plan activities linked closely to children's interests. For example, following a favourite story, children's learning about space and the moon is successfully extended. Staff encourage children to explore and investigate different materials, igniting children's curiosity and imaginative skills. Staff effectively differentiate activities for younger and older children. Older children are encouraged to recognise letters and sounds in preparation for moving on to school. All children enjoy taking part in singing and musical activities. They listen well, respond to instructions and choose their favourite song, boosting their self-confidence.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Key persons take time to get to know children well and form good attachments. Staff offer lots of praise and encouragement which help to motivate children and support their emotional development. Children develop a strong sense of belonging and quickly become self-assured. Staff provide a good range of healthy snacks and drinks. Children access their snack at a time of their choosing, developing their confidence and independence. Children have ample opportunities to benefit from fresh air and exercise. They take delight in exploring the outdoor environment and natural world within the setting and in the local community.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who receive funded early education, are well supported to make good progress in their learning and development. Children learn to understand and manage their feelings. They build friendships with other children and adults, successfully developing their social skills. Children are motivated and enthusiastic to play with the stimulating and wide range of resources. They explore a wide range of natural materials, such as sand, water, bark and soil. They are developing their ability to listen and concentrate very well. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported well. All children gain the skills that will support them when they start school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY359268 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 1093125 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 2 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Little Stars Pre-School Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 23 March 2015 Telephone number 07845658888

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reference number

Little Stars Preschool was registered in 2007. The pre-school employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and the manager holds an early years qualification at level 5. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 5pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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.

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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.

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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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