A-Star Kids

Inspection of A-Star Kids 77 Lees Road, Oldham, Lancashire OL4 1JW

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

The setting has successfully addressed the actions set at the previous inspection. Leaders have embraced the support and advice from the local authority and other local settings. This has impacted positively on the standards throughout the nursery. The setting's risk assessment procedures have improved to ensure a safe environment for children. Leaders have increased the oversight of food hygiene procedures to ensure that there are suitable facilities for the preparation and storage of food. Improvements to the organisation of the key-person system have had a positive impact on children. Children arrive happily and have established loving bonds with staff, who know them well. The setting's routines and expectations are understood by the children, who use lovely manners and show kind behaviours. Children enjoy the time they spend interacting with staff and each other. They shout to their friends 'let's play together' as they play hide and seek.

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The provision is good

They take turns to count and hide. Children behave well and learn how to play cooperatively with each other.

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The provision is good

The setting has devised an aspiration curriculum that prioritises children's communication and language skills. Overall, this is implemented well. Staff support children's imagination and communication skills. They provide a range of open ended resources and pose questions that extend children's language. For example, as children recap on their favourite stories, they work together to build a house for the wolf. Staff introduce new language such as 'sturdy' and encourage children to consider how they could make the house stronger. Children take on the role of the wolf and huff and puff and blow the house down. Children have fun and make good progress in their learning.

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need to do better?

n Leaders value the importance of supporting children's large physical skills. Staff provide opportunities for children to ride bikes and climb. Leaders organise regular trips to the local forest school, where children take part in planned sessions. These trips enhance the curriculum and provide opportunities for children to further develop their physical development. n Leaders are skilled in the teaching of early mathematical concepts. Staff support children's early mathematical skills well through play. As children scoop water into containers, staff count the scoops and talk about how full each one is. As children sort resources into categories they use their knowledge as they describe the size, shape and quantity. Children are developing a positive attitude to early mathematics. n The setting places importance on supporting children's independence. Overall, staff provide opportunities to help children develop these skills. Children are

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need to do better?

encouraged to feed themselves and cut up their own fruit for snack. When they

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need to do better?

20 June 2024 spill soil outside, they ask for the dustpan and clean this up independently. However, on occasions some staff attempt to do things for children such as putting on their aprons or shoes. Children quickly remind staff that they can do these things for themselves. n Leaders have introduced new arrangements during mealtimes to enhance children's development. Staff support children to understand the importance of washing their hands and eating healthy food. Children are encouraged to serve their own meals and pour their own drinks. They demonstrate impressive social skills at they interact with each other and enjoy meaningful interactions from supportive staff. Mealtimes are a social occasion where children develop an understanding of good health and hygiene practices. n The setting works effectively with parents to ensure additional funding has a positive impact on the children it is intended for. Regular assessments of

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need to do better?

children's achievements are completed to help identify specific learning needs. Staff identify any gaps in children's learning and ensure effective support is in place for children, including those with special educational needs and/ or disabilities and those in receipt of additional funding. This helps all children make good progress from their starting points. n Staff value diversity and encourage families to share their individual backgrounds. Children have access to their family photographs and staff teach children about a range of cultural celebrations. Families who speak English as an additional language are provided with resources such as dual language books. Children successfully learn about the world around them and develop an appreciation of diversity at this setting. n The setting provides staff with a range of training and support. This has impacted positively on practice throughout the nursery. However, leaders do not

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need to do better?

use the knowledge gained from the monitoring of practice to target where staff need further support and guidance. There are minor inconsistencies in the implementation of the setting's curriculum.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts the children's interests first.

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should:

n target existing support for staff to help specifically build on their individual skills and knowledge over time n support staff to implement the intended curriculum consistently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2705783 Local authority Oldham Inspection number 10353191 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 68 Number of children on roll 59 Name of registered person A-Star Kids Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 0161 785 9227 Date of previous inspection 12 March 2024

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Information about this early years setting

A-Star Kids registered in 2022 located in Oldham. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including six who hold a level 6 qualification. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8am to 4pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with leaders and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The nominated individual, who is also the manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The nominated individual provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request, including documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The nominated individual and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n Leaders and staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and

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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

20 June 2024 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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