Little Stars

Inspection of Little Stars Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX

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 Outstanding

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and feel secure in this nurturing and child-orientated setting. They build strong relationships with staff and, as a result, they are confident and at ease. Staff's positive interactions with children support them to engage and concentrate for extended periods of time.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well and learn to share and take turns. Staff give them clear expectations for behaviour and children follow the rules in place to keep them safe. They are developing skills to manage and understand their own feelings. Staff help the children understand different emotions and explore these together. For example, in the pre-school room children use a book featuring monsters of different colours, which depict different emotions. The children create paper-plate faces to paint a colour of their choosing, to reflect how they feel, and discuss this with staff. Older children develop friendships, playing and working together cooperatively as a group.

p.2

The provision is good

Children learn through a mix of adult-led experiences and child-initiated play. This helps them develop new skills to practise in their own play. There is a strong focus on supporting and developing children's language. Recent training has helped staff to assess and identify children's language abilities. This ensures potential speech delays are identified early and support is given before they become more of a significant issue.

p.2

need to do better?

n Managers support staff's professional development by regular supervisions and observations of practice. These help to identify any training needs. Recent training on policies and procedures has helped to secure staff's knowledge and understanding of safeguarding practices. n Staff support children's independence well. From a young age, children are encouraged to feed themselves and self-serve at lunch time. They wash their hands and wipe their noses. This helps to build children's self-reliance and confidence. n Staff plan effectively around children's interests. For example, children in pre- school excitedly engage in activities about frogs. They happily take part in singing, 'Five little speckled frogs' and explore a water activity about the habitat of frogs. Children's fine motor skills and creativity are supported during the activity by drawing pictures relating to the life cycle of frogs. n Babies and younger children have a good understanding of the routines

p.2

need to do better?

throughout the day. They explore a range of activities to develop their learning. However, while there is good focus on the prime areas of learning, other areas are included slightly less effectively. For example, staff do not always recognise

p.2

need to do better?

30 January 2023 opportunities that arise to challenge younger children and help develop literacy, mathematical and problem-solving skills. n Staff provide interesting and stimulating activities and experiences. Activities, including exploring ice and mud, are planned for the children. Staff introduce new language to the children while they play. For example, younger children excitedly dig in the mud for the 'pea seeds'. With the encouragement of staff, children have fun repeating 'pea seeds'. n Staff regularly make assessments of children's learning and development. They use these to plan for the next steps in children's learning. Children make good individual progress. n Staff speak clearly and listen to children. They provide support and encouragement where necessary. Children confidently approach staff for support, to ask questions or to proudly show what they have made. n Children develop an interest in books. They choose to sit down and read

p.2

need to do better?

together with their friends or to have stories read to them. Staff link books to the children's learning and children are able to borrow books from the lending library. Staff offer advice to parents to help support reading at home. n Staff work with parents to find out key words in children's home languages. Young children who speak English as an additional language settle well. n Staff promote a healthy lifestyle. Nutritious meals are freshly prepared by the onsite chef. All children benefit from regular opportunities for exercise in the large outdoor area. Younger children also have indoor climbing equipment and slides to help develop their physical skills.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Managers and staff carry out risk assessments to ensure the ongoing safety of the premises and equipment. Staff have secure knowledge of their role in protecting children and can identify signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm or abuse. Managers have recently reviewed policies and procedures to ensure that they are effective and all staff are aware of their responsibilities. Staff know how to report concerns to the local safeguarding children's partners and where they can seek advice.

p.3

should:

n support staff working with younger children to focus more effectively on incorporating problem solving, mathematics and literacy into the activities

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY394125 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10267256 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 120 Number of children on roll 120 Name of registered person Bright Horizons Family Solutions Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01235 422039 Date of previous inspection 6 October 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Stars nursery is part of Bright Horizons Family Solutions Ltd and registered in 2009. It operates from specially adapted premises on the site of Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire. Priority for places is given to employees of the site, although other families can use the facility if places are available. The nursery is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm all year. The nursery employs 45 staff, of which 12 hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3. Nine staff hold a level 2 qualification, one member of staff is training and 15 staff are unqualified.

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 inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting.

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

30 January 2023 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