Bright Little Stars Nursery

Inspection of Bright Little Stars Nursery 80 Sheepcot Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire WD25 0EA

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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 thrive in this dynamic nursery. From the moment children start, staff work tirelessly to understand each individual. Children quickly form firm bonds with staff, secure in the knowledge that they are truly understood and valued. Sensitive daily practices, such as regular visits from older siblings in the nursery, successfully support babies in settling. The positive attitude of staff and managers permeates all areas of their work. Children reflect this, showing high levels of engagement and a genuine enjoyment of learning, frequently challenging themselves. For example, older children independently write their names. They sound out each other's names and try to write these without checking back on the written name. Children play an active role in their learning, often immersing themselves in highly intricate play. For instance, they collect thin log slices, patiently persevering as they arrange these

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The provision is outstanding

and creating characters for each as they become 'people'.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exceptionally good. They show a mature approach and settle minor disputes independently. Staff recognise that, due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, many children have not visited a dentist. They help children learn to clean their teeth, practising this twice daily and offering information and training to parents. Children talk confidently about their feelings. They practise calming techniques, such as yoga, and recognise when they need quiet time, often taking themselves to the 'well-being area'.

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need to do better?

n Managers have exceptionally high expectations and are uncompromising in their goal to offer the very best for every child. They share their unwavering commitment with staff, motivating them to ensure that all children are offered excellent care. Staff well-being is exceptionally well considered. Managers offer staff highly pertinent support. Staff report that they thoroughly enjoy their work and appreciate the excellent teamwork. n Staff demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of each child and fully understand what they need to learn next. Their excellent planning and sensitive interactions ensure that all children make exceptional progress. Meticulous monitoring procedures ensure that any gaps in children's learning are swiftly addressed. n Working with other professionals and the support offered to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are key strengths. The nursery's special

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need to do better?

educational needs coordinator implements sensitive procedures to highlight any areas where specialist support may be needed as early as possible. She pays meticulous attention to understanding each child and sharing relevant information. This ensures that children receive consistent, expertly tailored support that aids them in making the best possible progress.

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need to do better?

31 July 2023 n Staff appreciate the importance of promoting children's language and communication skills, taking great care to support children who speak English as an additional language. Babies and younger children use sign language to aid their early communication. Older children develop and use excellent language skills. For example, children using natural and everyday items to create patterns creatively describe their artwork. Children fully understand the natural back and forth of conversations, carefully listening to one another and adding their own contributions. n Creative staff bring books to life, encouraging children's deep enjoyment of books and reading. For example, younger children listen to a favourite story. They use practical props to re-tell this. The children become totally immersed as they place the characters in their favourite part of the story and create different endings. n Staff judge precisely when to intervene to support children, balancing this with

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need to do better?

offering them opportunities to think critically and practise what they have been learning. For instance, children in the role-play shop use pretend money. They work out the value of each note. They then find a fifty pence coin and carefully identify a five and a zero, using their prior knowledge to work out that this is 'fifty'. n Highly skilled staff pay close attention to children's interests, frequently using these to initiate wonder and delight in children's play. For example, after noting that some children were going on holiday and some may not have this experience, staff helped children transform their room into a beach. Children delight in feeling sand under their feet and describing this, playing beach games and comparing the building qualities of wet and dry sand. n Parents praise managers and staff, stating that they are integral to making this such an amazing nursery. Parents highlight the excellent communication. They

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need to do better?

appreciate the highly practical support they receive in building on their children's learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff demonstrate an excellent knowledge of safeguarding and wider concerns, such as the dangers associated with radical views and practices. Staff understand how to recognise concerns about children's welfare and respond quickly to refer these to the correct professional. They complete regular training to keep their knowledge up to date. Additionally, they maintain an excellent overview of any local concerns, further informing their safeguarding knowledge. Children's safety is prioritised. Following an incident, managers acted with integrity and thoroughly reviewed all procedures, implementing minor changes that further strengthen their already robust procedures at drop off and collection times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY497358 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10303341 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 78 Number of children on roll 145 Name of registered person Bright Little Stars (Watford) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 02071004662 Date of previous inspection 25 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Bright Little Stars Nursery registered in 2016. The nursery employs 38 members of childcare staff. Of these, 28 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including one with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 50 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery 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 nursery. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following a notification from the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector observed staff interaction with children during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the deputy manager. n Meetings were held between the inspector, the manager, the deputy manager, the nursery's special educational needs coordinator and the company's operations manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw

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Inspection activities

evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

31 July 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.

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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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