Shining Stars

Inspection of Shining Stars Village Hall, Maldon Road, Hatfield Peverel, Chelmsford CM3 2HP

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision requires improvement

Required records relating to staff suitability checks are not accurately maintained by the manager or easily accessible for inspection. Although this does not have an impact on children, this is a breach of the statutory requirements.

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The provision requires improvement

Most children are happy in the setting. They develop strong friendships with other children and enjoy their company. Staff ensure that each child feels welcome. For instance, during circle time, all children are welcomed by the 'Hello song' with the use of each child's name in the song. This helps children to feel a sense of belonging. However, this is not the same for babies who, at times, are not engaged in purposeful activities. As a result, they become bored and tearful.

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The provision requires improvement

Children enjoy exploring the art resources as they create Christmas cards for their families. They eagerly spread some glue on their cards and spend time choosing colours of glitter and pom-poms to decorate them. Older children discuss with staff and their friends which special person they are making their cards for.

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The provision requires improvement

Children generally behave well and learn about acceptable behaviour. For instance, staff offer children guidance and support to encourage them to share and take turns. They talk to children about how they feel. Staff use books to engage children in conversation about their feelings and emotions.

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need to do better?

n The manager regularly checks the ongoing suitability of the staff team. However, she does not maintain a clear record of all required details relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service checks for staff. Evidence and records of staff suitability are poorly organised and difficult to locate. Consequently, some of these records were not easily accessible for inspection. n Staff gather information from parents before children start at the setting. This helps them to establish what children already know and can do. Staff plan activities for older children that consider the skills that they need to learn next. However, babies do not benefit from a well-planned curriculum that precisely meets their individual learning and development needs. For example, staff do not ensure that the learning environment motivates them to play and explore or support babies' next steps in their learning. n Staff promote children's communication and language through regular song and

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need to do better?

story sessions. They talk to children as they play, asking age-appropriate questions. Children communicate their likes and dislikes with staff. For instance, they discuss what foods they like to eat. Staff use simple Makaton sign language to aid children's communication. Children demonstrate a growing vocabulary and use words to describe their artwork, such as 'shiny' and 'sparkly'.

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need to do better?

15 December 2023 n Children have the opportunity to play out in the garden daily. They become excited as they explore a pile of leaves. They collect the leaves in their arms and throw them into the air, trying to catch them as they fall. n Children are beginning to develop some independence in their self-care skills. For example, staff encourage children to wash their hands before they eat and after using the toilet. Older children use small jugs to pour their drinks at snack time. However, staff do not always effectively promote the good health of babies. For example, when they leave their dummies on the floor, other children pick them up and use them. n Children are familiar with the routines of the day and staff help them to understand what is happening now and next. However, some parts of the day are not well organised to ensure that children are consistently engaged in learning. For example, children wait for long periods while staff carry out routine

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need to do better?

tasks, such as cleaning and tidying up after mealtimes. Consequently, this causes some children to become upset and disengaged. Therefore, learning is not always effective during these times. n Parents speak positively about the setting. They express that staff are flexible with daily routines to accommodate their children's needs. There is a two-way flow of information to keep parents informed about their children's day. Parents feel included in their children's learning and how to support their next steps at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff understand their responsibilities to safeguard the children in their care. The manager has added visual reminders to staff to provide them with key information. Risk assessment is in place to identify and minimise any hazards to children. Staff can identify the signs and indicators that may mean a child is at risk of harm or abuse. They know when and how to report concerns they have about a child in their care or about a colleague.

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Due date

ensure records are easily accessible and available, particularly regarding staff suitability checks and vetting processes. 19/01/2024

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should:

15 December 2023 n support staff with planning the learning environment for babies, so this engages babies fully and provides them with ambitious learning experiences that build on their next steps n ensure staff promote children's good health by minimising the opportunity for children to share dummies n review the organisation of routines so that children are not waiting for extended periods of time.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2715752 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10322089 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 22 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Greaves, Charlotte

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reference number

Telephone number 07527763038 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Shining Stars registered in 2023 and is situated in Hatfield Peverel, Essex. The setting employs six members of staff. Of these three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery provides funded early years 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 viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

15 December 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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