Little Stars Nursery

Little Stars Nursery 2a Devonshire Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 5AA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 May 2017 24 May 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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 learning environment for children is safe, secure and vibrant. There is a variety of resources available for all children to play and learn with. This helps children to extend their own play, using their imagination.  Children form positive relationships with staff and their friends. Staff support children effectively to gain confidence and independence, and they give plenty of praise and encouragement. This helps to promote positive behaviour and children's well-being.  Parents and carers are provided with regular updates about how well their children are progressing. They speak very positively about staff and the environment, commenting on how happy their children are at the setting and the good progress they make.  The manager and the members of the team have worked well together to address the recommendations raised at the last inspection. For example, they now have regular individual and team meetings which have helped to identify training needs and to

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently support and engage older children during daily routines.  Occasionally, staff do not take all opportunities to fully extend children's learning, in order to help them make even better progress. For example, with their early writing 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

 make the most of opportunities to support older children's learning further and engage them fully in tasks  build on staff's knowledge and skills to use every opportunity to extend children's learning in their everyday play activities, in order to help them make even better progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector looked at children's records, the planning documentation, evidence of the suitability of staff and a range of other documents.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held separate meetings with the manager and the local early years improvement adviser.  The inspector spoke to a selection of parents and took into account their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager and her deputy have a good understanding of the statutory requirements and help to ensure they are implemented well. Safeguarding is effective. All staff have a suitable understanding of the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about children's safety or welfare. They implement policies and procedures well to aid children's health and safety. For example, they complete regular risk assessments to help ensure that children can play and learn safely. The manager tracks all children's progress well to help to identify any gaps in their learning. Staff work closely with outside professionals, such as the local authority early years advisers, in order to help improve children's outcomes. The manager and deputy understand the importance of self-evaluation, including the views of parents and other professionals and strive for continuous improvement.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff communicate well with each other, observe children's achievements and make notes about what they have seen. Together, they plan stimulating activities that are based on children's individual needs and current stage of development, using their observations and assessments. For example, children delight when playing with the water. Younger children explore and talk about the water and older children count the fish. Staff make learning meaningful and introduce children to mathematical language, such as full and empty when playing with the water.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff work effectively with parents to help meet children's needs. Staff skilfully build strong attachments with children and form a secure basis for children to learn. Children are very happy, confident, settle well and are eager to explore and learn. Staff are attentive to children and value what they have to say. Children freely share their ideas and opinions, developing good social skills. Children talk about their families when playing with the doll house. They show respect for one another, take turns and share easily during play. Children play outdoors on a regular basis where they enjoy fresh air, exercise and practise physical skills. Staff build on children's understanding of how to be healthy. For example, they talk about food that is good for them and support children with good hygiene practices.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make typical progress in their learning relative to their starting points and their age. They are confident, friendly and sociable. Children develop good communication and language skills. For example, younger children enjoy singing rhymes and older children confidently express their ideas in play. They are well prepared for the next stages in their learning, including the move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY331503 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1095687 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 25 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Leiza Veronica Tuitt

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 24 May 2016 Telephone number 01474 354720

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reference number

Little Stars Nursery registered in 2006 and is located in Gravesend, Kent. The opening hours are Monday to Friday, from 7am to 7pm, for 50 weeks of the year. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are four members of staff, three of whom hold relevant early years qualifications.

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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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