Little Stars Nursery

Inspection of Little Stars Nursery The Park Child and Family Centre, Norfolk Grove, Church, Accrington, Lancashire BB5 4RY

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 are happy, settled and ready to play in the exciting and nurturing environment that the nursery offers. They love to access the large outdoor spaces and look forward to exploring the forest area. Children are good at creating their own games and regularly solve problems independently. For example, young children work out that it is quicker to use a big spoon to fill a cup when adding flour to make dough. Furthermore, children attempt to break ice using a toy penguin's beak. Other children bang wooden blocks on the fence to see which one makes a 'good noise'. Children remember what they have previously learned and apply this knowledge during the day. For example, children know they should walk when inside the nursery so as not to fall over. Additionally, they tell staff they need to wear gloves and hats when playing outside to help keep their hands and head warm. Children learn how to take care of themselves from a young age.

p.2

The provision is good

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders have noticed a reduced level of expected development in children's communication and language and their emotional security. Leaders have worked closely with staff to ensure that they are supporting children to the best of their ability to increase these skills. Staff consistently sing and talk to children during play. As a result, children's speaking and interaction skills are increasing. They play happily alongside and with their peers and are developing the skills and attitudes associated with effective learners.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders have carefully planned a broad curriculum that will help to meet all children's needs and build skills for their future. In the main, staff work towards meeting these goals, and children take positive steps in their development. However, sometimes, staff do not differentiate or swiftly adapt their teaching as much as they could. This means that sometimes, children's learning is not planned or sequenced well enough to help them make the best possible progress. n Relationships with parents are particularly strong, which helps staff to obtain information about children and provide good levels of support for families. However, not all parents are supported in the best way possible to share and understand information about children's development. For example, some parents are not always aware of what their child is learning next or why this is important for their progress. This leads to inconsistent expectations for children's

p.2

need to do better?

abilities. Additionally, information is not consistently gathered from parents about children's particular behaviours or tendencies. This means that occasionally, staff are unable to plan the most suitable level of support that children may need from the earliest opportunity. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are especially

p.2

need to do better?

14 December 2022 well considered and supported. Leaders and key staff work closely with professionals to maintain consistent and detailed care and learning plans. This means that children with SEND are securely integrated into the setting and make continuous progress in their development. Staff understand all children's specific health needs and keep them safe and well. n Older children are preparing for their future education and move to school. They are learning to concentrate in group sessions and to be independent. Furthermore, children have many opportunities to strengthen the muscles in their hands to help them make marks, which supports their early writing skills. Children enjoy squirting paint onto the art wall and comment on their creations. n Babies' needs are sensitively met, and their relationships with staff are heartwarming. Staff use kind expressions and lots of clear vocabulary to help

p.2

need to do better?

babies settle and learn how to talk. As a result, babies happily babble and repeat keywords to express themselves during play. Furthermore, staff pride themselves in giving babies the key skills to enable them to continue making progress as they move through the nursery and beyond. n Leaders are quick to respond and support staff to increase their knowledge in areas that will help them to better care for children's safety and well-being. For example, all staff have recently completed allergy awareness training to help them to manage and respond to dietary requirements and food allergies. This helps to keep children safe and ensure individual needs are consistently well met.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Arrangements for safeguarding children are particularly strong. Leaders have implemented robust risk assessments, both for children's needs and the suitability of the premises. Leaders are working with other agencies to assess any risks with specialist equipment on site and to keep children safe from harm. Staff are confident that they know how to identify signs of abuse and where to report any child protection concerns. Additionally, staff know how to recognise inappropriate behaviour from colleagues and how to follow the internal whistle-blowing procedure. Leaders have a secure understanding of how safeguarding issues may impact the families and children in their care.

p.3

should:

n support staff to deliver the curriculum in a well-sequenced way and in response to each child's individual learning needs n help parents understand how children develop to support continued learning between home and nursery.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY278820 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10266570 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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 68 Number of children on roll 68 Name of registered person Adventure Hyndburn Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01254 357988 Date of previous inspection 23 November 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Stars Nursery registered in 2004. It is managed by Adventure Hyndburn, a registered charity. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery receives funding for children aged two, three and four years old.

p.4

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 and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children and evaluated the impact these had on children's learning and development. n The manager and deputy manager completed joint observations with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n Children told the inspector about what they like to do when they are at nursery. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider.

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

14 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.

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