Little Stars Pre-School

Inspection of Little Stars Pre-School 14 Station Road, Earl Shilton, LEICESTER LE9 7GA

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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

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The provision is good

Children are happy in this friendly pre-school. They move around the rooms confidently, choosing what they want to play with. They play well together and wait patiently for their turn to put a building block onto the top of the tower. They count with staff to 10 and as the tower wobbles and falls down they scream with delight. They use their hand-to-eye coordination carefully and build the tower taller and taller.

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The provision is good

Children love being physically active. They excitedly go into the hall and willingly take part in a yoga session. Children run safely around the hall. They stretch and use their bodies to move like animals. They stomp like elephants, crawl like a caterpillar and fly like a butterfly. These movements help children to strengthen their arms and legs to help them develop skills, for example riding a bicycle.

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The provision is good

Children have a positive attitude to their learning and enjoy the activities the staff provide. Older children thoroughly enjoy painting. They use their small-muscle skills and hold the paintbrush with control. They talk to staff about their drawing. They count how many legs their spiders have and explain how bees make a buzzing sound and make lots of honey.

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need to do better?

n The manager supports staff through regular meetings, supervision and appraisals. This helps staff to reflect on their own practice and to identify further training opportunities. Recent training has helped staff to extend their knowledge of how to improve children's language and speaking skills. Staff now ensure they make eye contact with the children and are at their level as they speak. As a result, older children are using good language skills and holding conversations with each other and staff. n The manager and staff plan a curriculum that gives children the skills they need for future learning. They encourage the children to explore and provide a range of experiences for children. For instance, children explore their own ideas as they fill and empty sand into different-sized containers. This helps to develop their mathematical skills. Children are keen to try out activities, like rolling sand

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need to do better?

down a plastic drainpipe. However, occasionally, staff step in too soon and often show the older children what to do. This limits older children's opportunities to try to solve problems or find out what to do for themselves. n Children behave well and are confident to have a go at activities and explore. They respond well to the activities staff plan. For example, they love investigating the textures and tastes of vegetables, such as cauliflower and parsnips. However, at times, staff do not give enough attention to younger children who prefer solitary play. They let them play, but do not interact

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need to do better?

22 November 2022 frequently enough to help extend their skills and knowledge. n Staff communicate frequently with parents about their children's learning and daily experiences. This helps parents to continue to support their children's development at home. Parents speak highly of the pre-school. They say the staff are friendly, approachable and know their children well. n Staff find out about the experiences the children have at home. They use this information and broaden these experiences. For example, they take children into the local community. They visit the shops to see how to buy food, to the library to develop their love of books and to soft-play centres to help children to take risks and extend their physical development. n Staff understand how to manage children's behaviour well. They support children to develop respect for others. For example, children learn about their friend's beliefs. They celebrate a range of festivals from other cultures and

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need to do better?

faiths, such as Diwali and Chinese New Year. n Staff encourage children to develop their self-care skills. Children know they wash their hands before eating. They tell the staff 'It's so they can get rid of the germs.' They pour their own water and feed themselves their yogurt. These skills help in preparation for school. Younger children try first and staff support them to, for example, open packets. They feed themselves and are learning to say please and thank you.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good understanding of how to safeguard children. Staff regularly update their safeguarding training. This helps to keep their knowledge current. The managers and staff know the procedures to follow for reporting child protection matters or if an allegation is made against an adult in the setting. The manager has robust recruitment procedures and ensures staff suitability is reviewed to ensure they are suitable to work with children. Staff complete daily risk assessments to identify and remove any hazards, This helps to provide a safe place for children to play.

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should:

n develop opportunities for older children to solve problems and find out what to do for themselves n strengthen staff's understanding of how to support younger children who prefer solitary play to help build on and extend the children's skills and knowledge.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY398536 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10235344 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 14 Name of registered person Allen, Lynsey Alisson

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reference number

Telephone number 07728909267 Date of previous inspection 25 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Little Stars Pre-School registered in 2009 and is located in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff. The manager has a degree in childhood studies and two staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. One member of staff is an apprentice. The pre-school opens on Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays and Christmas week. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3.30pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the pre-school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with one of the managers and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre- school. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed how the manager intends to implement the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The manager took part in a joint observation with the inspector. The inspector considered the quality of education during activities and the impact this had on children's learning. n Staff spoke with the inspector at appropriate times throughout the inspection and explained how they implemented the curriculum and children's learning. n Some parents spoke to the inspector on the telephone, so that she could

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Inspection activities

consider their views. n The inspector had a discussion with the manager about her staff's training and how she evaluates her practice. n The manager showed the inspector the relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the staff.

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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

22 November 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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