Mini Stars Childcare LTD

Inspection of Mini Stars Childcare LTD UK Centre for Carnival Arts, 3 St. Marys Road, LUTON LU1 3JA

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children enjoy their time at the nursery. They settle happily at activities and separate from their carers confidently. Staff ensure that children are safe in their surroundings. They help children to understand how to take risks safely. For example, staff support children outside to create challenging obstacle courses. Children recognise the importance of waiting for their friends to finish before they begin their turn so that nobody gets hurt.

p.2

The provision is good

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive strong and targeted support. Staff work closely with other professionals to meet children's individual needs well. They receive relevant training, such as learning how to change vital medical equipment. Staff swiftly provide highly focused teaching to children who need additional support. This minimises any gaps in children's learning.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy activities that support their speaking skills. These are tailored to their individual stages of learning. For instance, babies babble with delight as they listen to staff singing familiar nursery rhymes. Toddlers confidently join in with familiar phrases. Older children begin to use more adventurous language. Staff model appropriately how to use this language in sentences. This helps children to become more confident communicators.

p.2

need to do better?

n The well-qualified staff communicate effectively with one another. The manager and owner proactively ensure that any gaps in their workforce are swiftly addressed. They support staff to provide a strong handover to other members of the team. As a result, there is minimal disruption to children's routines and the level of provision that is offered, for example, when staff go on maternity leave. n The manager and owner work tirelessly to continue to improve the provision and service they provide. They are highly reflective leaders. The manager actively seeks out opportunities to involve herself in the wider professional community. Leaders engage positively with the local authority and are keen to involve themselves in new local initiatives, such as speech and language programmes. n Children develop a passion for stories and books from an early age. Staff have thoughtfully considered the layout of the nursery so that children can access

p.2

need to do better?

books independently. For instance, babies select age-appropriate books and concentrate as they study the pictures. Staff talk to them about what they can see and babies respond positively. Staff read to older children enthusiastically. Children learn how to handle books appropriately. For example, they turn the pages carefully when asked. Staff differentiate activities well, for example, for children with SEND. They use props to support children to retell familiar stories.

p.2

need to do better?

22 November 2019 For instance, children thread wooden beads with food pictures onto string to retell a story about a caterpillar. n All children become independent in meeting their own needs. For example, toddlers learn to use forks and spoons to feed themselves successfully. Older children serve themselves from large dishes at lunchtime. They scrape their own plates and line up for a healthy dessert, carrying their plates independently. These skills all contribute towards children being prepared for their move to school. n Staff know the children they care for extremely well. They visit children and their families at home before they join the nursery. This helps them to gain relevant information before children start and form trusting relationships with parents and children. They use the information they gain effectively to extend and enhance children's experiences. For instance, children visit the pet shop and

p.2

need to do better?

learn how to care for animals. This helps them to look after the nursery's pet turtles. Children vote to name the turtles. They develop the ability to consider other people's views and respect their opinions. n Parents are kept well informed about their children's progress. Staff hold regular discussions with them about their children's development and welfare. Parents are pleased with the level of service that is provided. However, staff do not currently provide parents with enough support to extend their children's learning at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff implement the nursery's safeguarding policy effectively. They are fully aware of the possible signs of abuse and neglect. Staff also have strong knowledge of wider safeguarding issues, such as identifying those children who may be at risk of exposure to extreme views and behaviour. They place children's welfare at the forefront of their practice. The manager regularly assesses staff's safeguarding knowledge. Staff attend relevant training to ensure that their knowledge is fully up to date. They are confident in the process to follow to raise concerns, including any concerns that may arise regarding the staff team.

p.3

should:

n extend the support provided to parents so that they can continue to build on their children's learning at home even further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY396927 Local authority Luton Inspection number 10071029 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 1 to 4 Total number of places 33 Number of children on roll 53 Name of registered person Mini Stars Childcare Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01582 437 121 Date of previous inspection 4 February 2015

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Mini Stars Childcare LTD registered in 2009. It is situated in a self-contained unit within the UK Centre for Carnival Arts building in Luton. The setting employs 13 members of staff. Of these, 12 hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 2 or above, including two with early years professional status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays, one week during the summer holidays and one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector was given a comprehensive tour of the nursery indoors and outdoors by the manager and owner. n The inspector and the manager jointly observed a planned activity. They discussed the impact of the staff's interactions on children's learning and development. n The inspector spoke to parents and took their views into consideration. n The inspector held a meeting with the owner and manager. They discussed topics, such as staff supervision and recruitment. n The inspector observed activities indoors and outdoors. She spoke to staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

p.5

Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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.5

Inspection activities

22 November 2019 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

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.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6