Little Stars Kindergarten

Inspection of Little Stars Kindergarten Memorial Hall, Rushden Road, Newton Bromswold, RUSHDEN, Northamptonshire NN10 0SP

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are exceptionally well cared for by staff who thoroughly understand their needs. Children who are new to the setting adapt very quickly to the routine and have built strong relationships with adults and children, feeling safe and comfortable exploring their surroundings.

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The provision is outstanding

All children are highly independent. For example, children find their wellington boots and waterproof coats before going into the garden and put them on by themselves. Children persevere with tasks, and staff continually praise them for their achievements. Children develop a high sense of self-worth and build resilience to setbacks.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff use their knowledge of each child to balance children's engagement equally. They recognise where more-confident children may dominate conversations in group times, and take care to give other children the same opportunities to be able to join in. This helps all children grow in confidence and to be able to express their own ideas. Staff show genuine interest for things that children say, and this helps children to know that their feelings, thoughts and ideas are equally valued. For example, staff talk to children about their interest in vehicles, comparing American ones to English ones, while looking at an atlas to find where America is.

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need to do better?

n Staff help children to understand how to keep themselves safe while taking managed risks. For example, children create an obstacle course using blocks. Children modify their course, adding blocks to climb on to challenge themselves further and balance on. Staff remain close by to give reassurance but let children do this for themselves and offer guidance to newer children. This helps to build children's self-esteem and sense of achievement. n Children benefit greatly from time spent outdoors. They develop high levels of curiosity, imagination and concentration. For example, children jump on a trampoline while their friends count how many jumps, using a number grid and stick to record them. Staff know when to sit back and observe and when to engage children in detailed conversations. This supports children to become excellent communicators and to solve problems independently. n Staff provide an environment, indoors and outdoors, that fuels children's

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need to do better?

curiosity. They use every opportunity during children's play to build on children's mathematical knowledge. For example, they teach children about what time snack will be, using a clock to point out the numerals. Staff skilfully adjust activities and their interactions with children, depending on children's ability, in order to extend their learning. n The very experienced staff know their children extremely well. They monitor

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need to do better?

13 September 2022 children's development closely to ensure that there are no gaps in their learning. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are quickly identified, and staff work extremely well with outside agencies and families to ensure that each child receives the support they need. This means that all children make the progress they are capable of. n Staff promote a love of reading by sharing stories with children and referencing these during play. Children joyfully explain how the big bad wolf will blow their house down during a parachute activity. They are confident at retelling stories in their own words and add narrative to their play. Children enjoy reading familiar books and visit the library where they borrow additional books to take home and share with their families. n Children take turns extremely well by negotiating who is going to have a turn next, using a sand timer, and remind each other of the rules. Staff have high

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need to do better?

expectations of children's behaviour. They praise children's efforts when they have worked hard to achieve a goal or persevered with a difficult task. This helps build children's confidence in their abilities and reinforces their positive attitudes to learning. n Parents are highly enthusiastic about the setting. They praise the dedication of the staff team in providing the highly individualised care that the children receive. Parents particularly praise the thorough support that staff give to help them navigate relationships with other services involved in their children's lives. They are thrilled with the communication from the setting, especially when children have specific needs. Parents that have previously used the setting say they are sad to have left.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff have an excellent understanding of their responsibility to keep children safe and secure. They know who to contact if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff have a robust knowledge of wider safeguarding concerns, such as female genital mutilation, and continue to make sure that they are aware of potential safeguarding risks within their local community. They use comprehensive indoor and outdoor risk assessments to reduce any potential hazards and keep children safe. Children show a great awareness of safety as they use real tools and hammer tacks into wood outside.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY219888 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10138469 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 23 Name of registered person Cotter, Sally Louise

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reference number

Telephone number 07951 919 799 Date of previous inspection 25 March 2014

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Information about this early years setting

Little Stars Kindergarten registered in 2001. It operates from 9.15am to 1.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. There are three members of staff employed to work with the children, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The setting is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager, two members of staff and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager carried out a joint evaluation of a group activity with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and evidence of the suitability of adults working in the setting.

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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.

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Inspection activities

13 September 2022 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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