Little Stars

Inspection of Little Stars The Corner House, 18 Strelley Road, NOTTINGHAM NG8 3AP

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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 have strong bonds with staff in this welcoming pre-school and show friendly behaviour towards their friends, staff and visitors. As children arrive, they smile as they wave goodbye to their parents before confidently exploring their environment. Quieter children are supported by staff to gain confidence as they give them one-to-one support and encouragement to engage in activities. New children are given reassuring cuddles to help them settle. Staff are good role models. Pre-school children are supported to share resources as they take part in a potion-making activity. They react positively to staff as they are encouraged to pass the glitter to share with their friends. Staff teach children how to use a safety knife so they do not hurt themselves as they carefully chop fruit.

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The provision is good

Children actively engage in activities, both inside and outside, showing a positive attitude towards their learning. Toddlers develop their physical skills as they make play dough. Staff encourage them to use a spoon as they role model how to mix the ingredients. Children say the play dough is 'sticky' as they learn to fold in more flour using their fingers, to make it less sticky. Children develop a love of books as they freely access these to look at independently. Staff extend children's vocabulary and knowledge as they discuss the different parts of a boat as they read to them.

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need to do better?

n Staff know the children extremely well. As children start at pre-school, staff find out about their interests from their parents and what they already know and can do. Staff carry out termly assessments and plan activities using their interests to engage children in their learning and to further their development. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language are supported well. For example, staff ask parents for keywords in their home language to use in the pre-school alongside English words. This helps to ensure all children make good progress in their learning. Staff work well with other professionals, such as health visitors. They support children and their families when needed. n Since the COVID-19 pandemic, staff report some children need additional support to develop their speech and language skills. Staff introduce a selection

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need to do better?

of new words each week to enhance children's vocabulary. They encourage children to talk about objects they bring in from home with their friends to build their confidence. Children have access to a 'home library', where they can select books to take home and share with their parents, further developing their love of books. n Staff plan a variety of activities that cover the seven areas of learning. Toddlers learn about shapes and sizes as they cut play dough with different-sized cutters.

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need to do better?

8 December 2022 Pre-school children excitedly take part in a fruit-tasting activity. Staff introduce to them what a kiwi is and encourage them to use their senses to describe what it tastes and feels like. Staff praise children as they say it is 'delicious.' Staff introduce words such as 'sour' and 'spikey' to describe it. However, on occasion, staff do not give children enough time to think about and respond to the questions they ask. This means that children do not always have the chance to share their ideas and thoughts. n Staff encourage toddlers to develop their independence as they put their coats on to go outside. Pre-school children confidently pour their own drinks at snack time. As children wash their hands, staff sing a song to remind them to use soap to keep them clean. This helps children to learn what a good hygiene routine is. n Parents say that their children have good relationships with staff and that their

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need to do better?

confidence has grown since attending the pre-school. Staff share information with parents regarding the activities children take part in and discuss their development during parent meetings. However, some parents report that they do not always know what their children's next steps in learning are or how they can continue this learning at home. n Staff report that the management team is 'wonderful.' The management team carry out regular supervision with staff, giving staff time to discuss their professional development and well-being. Training is offered to support staff to further develop their practice. For example, in-house training was delivered to raise staff's understanding of how learning intentions can be taught during planned activities.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a strong understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm or abuse, including female genital mutilation. They are aware of the importance of reporting concerns about children or staff and recording these. Staff know to report concerns to other professionals outside of the pre-school if needed. The management team ensures that all staff complete safeguarding training and refresh staff's understanding during staff meetings. The management team follow safer recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff working with children are safe to do so.

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should:

n provide children time to think about and respond to questions, allowing them to share their ideas and thoughts during activities n strengthen ways to share information with parents about children's individual learning needs and how to continue learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY462432 Local authority Nottingham Inspection number 10233888 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 48 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Lily & Co Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0115 9291314 Date of previous inspection 19 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Little Stars registered in 2013 and is located in Nottingham. The pre-school employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, 8 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am to 11.30am and from 11.45am to 3pm. 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 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 inspector and manager observed activities in the indoor and outdoor learning environments used by children. The manager talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they were doing during activities. n Parents shared their views with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation on an activity with the manager. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children.

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Inspection activities

n A sample of relevant documentation was viewed by the inspector, including first- aid certificates.

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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

8 December 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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