Little Stars

Inspection of Little Stars 31 Castleford Road, Normanton, West Yorkshire WF6 2DJ

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Children are independent and confident. They demonstrate close and secure relationships with all the staff team, who offer comfort and encouragement when necessary. Children's interests are recognised by staff and this helps children to feel settled when they first start to attend. Children are respectful of one another and of the toys and equipment in the setting. They helpfully tidy resources away when asked to. Children gently remind one another of the rules in the setting, including to share, take turns and listen to one another.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Staff provide a calm and welcoming environment for children. They plan routines during the day, which help children to know what to expect. This helps children to feel settled. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported to access the setting. Staff work in collaboration with parents and other professionals to identify and meet the specific needs of children with SEND. Staff work closely with parents of children who speak English as an additional language. They ask parents to help them understand key words in children's first language. They use this vocabulary to support communication and language skills and to make children feel comfortable and welcome in the setting.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider describes a well-planned educational programme for children. However, this is not consistently implemented in practice. Some activities do not take account of the differing stages of development of all the children in attendance. For instance, while older children join in with group discussions led by staff, younger children quickly lose interest. This leads to slight declines in their otherwise excellent behaviour. n Staff provide a wide range of toys and activities for children to use. All areas of the indoor environment are accessed easily by most children. On the whole, staff effectively encourage children to play, learn and use the resources. They use appropriate questioning and vocabulary to extend children's understanding. For example, they ask what would make a tower more stable in order to build it taller. However, this is not consistent and means some children are not supported effectively to make progress in their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff work hard to promote healthy eating habits for children. They share relevant information about children's diets with parents. Children are able to describe which foods should be eaten regularly and which are treats. Staff do not extend this focus to incorporate wider aspects of healthy lifestyles. For example, experiences for children to access physical play, including outdoor play, is not effectively promoted. Therefore, children's opportunities to learn about appropriate risk taking through play and their access to fresh air is limited. n The staff know the children well and they work with parents to establish what

p.2

need to do better?

10 March 2020 children already know and can do when they start at the setting. They use this information to plan what to provide for children to help them progress. However, they do not always help children to consolidate more basic skills before being introduced to more complex ideas. For example, staff provide a painting activity with the intention of teaching children about the life cycle of a seed. The children are engaged in the activity for a short time but staff are unable to explain how the activity meets the learning intention. n Staff have identified that a small number of children have difficulties in some aspects of their development. They do not always take action quickly enough in order to support these children. Consequently, not all children are consistently encouraged to fulfil their potential. n Parents speak highly of the staff. They report close, warm and caring relationships between staff and children. They say staff have supported children

p.2

need to do better?

to settle in and that children are happy to attend. n The provider and the staff have addressed all actions raised at the previous inspection. They are aware of some aspects of the provision that need further improvement. However, the weaknesses in the quality of education have not been effectively identified or addressed. n Staff feel well supported and say they enjoy working at the setting.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The provider and staff have a sound knowledge and understanding of appropriate safeguarding procedures. These are in line with the guidance from the local safeguarding children partnership. Staff confidently explain how they would identify children who are at risk of abuse or neglect, including following up on unexplained absences and pre-existing injuries. They are aware of how to implement appropriate reporting and referral procedures in order to keep children safe. They know which agencies they should contact to support children and families. All staff know what they should do if an allegation is made against a colleague.

p.3

should:

n improve the opportunities for children to develop physical skills as part of the curriculum, including access to the outdoor environment each day n act more swiftly to support children who are demonstrating difficulties or delays in areas of their development n enhance the professional development opportunities offered to staff to improve their understanding and the implementation of a broad and exciting curriculum for all children.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY443701 Local authority Wakefield Inspection number 10139492 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 21 Name of registered person Wright, Mark Philip

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07773607359 Date of previous inspection 11 October 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Stars registered in 2012. The nursery employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, the manager holds qualified teacher status, one member of staff holds a level 4 childcare qualification, and one member of staff holds a level 3 qualification. The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round, except for one week at Christmas and bank holidays. Sessions are from 8am until 4pm.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector conducted a learning walk with the provider. n The inspector considered the views of parents, children and staff during discussions throughout the inspection. n The inspector and the provider jointly observed an adult-led activity, followed by an evaluative discussion. n The inspector observed the experiences for children in the indoor environment at the setting. n The inspector attended a meeting with the provider to discuss the leadership and management of the setting. n Ofsted is aware of the challenges that Covid-19 is currently posing to those we inspect. During this visit, the inspector took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of Coronavirus by the setting. This has included the effect these measures have had on the current attendance of the children and staffing arrangements.

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

10 March 2020 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