Little Stars Pre-School

Inspection of Little Stars Pre-School Unit A16, Fieldhouse Industrial Estate, Rochdale, Lancashire OL12 0AA

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

The setting provides a welcoming environment that nurtures children's enjoyment and happiness. As a result, children are eager to attend. They bound into the setting and greet staff with a big smile. Children appreciate the interesting activities that staff provide. For example, they relax in the quiet area reading books. At other times, children explore the sensory resources that offer stimulation. This works particularly well for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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The provision is good

Staff work harmoniously with parents, which truly enhances children's eagerness to learn. They guide parents on how to support their children's communication and language at home. For example, staff offer suggestions on how to reduce the use of dummies. They also share ideas on using visual prompts to help children who are nonverbal communicate. As a result, children acquire a good level of understanding and many begin to develop conversational skills from a young age.

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The provision is good

Children behave well at the setting, due to the consistent approaches adopted by staff. At every relevant opportunity, such as when children help with tidy-up time, staff give children praise. This helps children to feel valued and appreciated. Staff also provide clear routines, which supports children's emotional well-being. For example, staff and children start their day with a wake-up song. As they sing and shake their bodies to the music, new children smile as they observe the excitement around them.

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need to do better?

n The provider has made huge improvements to the quality of the provision since the previous inspection. They have worked positively with the local authority and helped all staff to embrace the training and support provided. As a result, children are benefiting from good care and education. n Curriculum training provided for staff and managers has helped them to plan more precisely for children's individual needs. This is helping children gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. For example, staff give children lots of reassurance and cuddles when they start at the setting. This gives children the emotional security they need to enable them to settle in confidently. As a result, they are eager to learn. n Children experience the joy of stories as staff read aloud and use different voices. This helps to captivate children's interest and they are eager to join in. For example, children repeat familiar phrases or make the sound of the bears

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need to do better?

snoring. Children also benefit from regular trips to the library. These experiences have a positive impact on children's early literacy. n The setting has used early years pupil premium funding to give disadvantaged

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need to do better?

11 September 2024 children exciting opportunities that they have not previously experienced. For example, children go on trips to the farm. This enables them to see, touch and smell real animals, which gives them first-hand experiences of nature. n High priority is given to supporting children with SEND. For example, the provider has used funding to purchase specific resources to aid children's learning and development. The provider also recognises the importance of working with parents to help their children achieve. As such, calming resources are also purchased for children to use at home. This partnership working provides continuity for children and accelerates their ability to self-regulate behaviours. n Children have many opportunities to develop their communication and language skills. For example, staff engage children in lots of back-and-forth conversations. Consequently, children learn to speak with confidence and expression. However,

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need to do better?

children have limited opportunities to learn new and exciting words. For example, children show proficiency as they play imaginatively with the pretend medical instruments, such as stethoscopes. They also have access to three- dimensional shapes. However, children are not taught the names of these interesting resources. This does not help to widen their vocabulary. n Much of the curriculum is carefully planned to help children consolidate new learning. For example, children compare sizes as they read the story about the three bears, who have different-sized bowls and beds. This is complemented with hands-on activities, such as rolling pretend cars down the helter-skelter car track. Children use their mathematical thinking as they compare the sizes of cars. They also demonstrate lots of problem-solving as they work out which cars are small enough to roll down the track. These activities provide depth in

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need to do better?

children's learning. n Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting. They also have 'safe spaces' which they can access at any time. This provides children with comfort and reassurance until they are ready to mix with their friends. Children demonstrate high levels of engagement in the stimulating environment. However, distractions in the environment, such as noise from the television, have not been carefully considered. Consequently, children lose focus and become a little disengaged. This interrupts their learning.

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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 children's interests first.

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should:

11 September 2024 n increase opportunities for children to learn new and exciting words, to help widen their vocabulary n reduce distractions, such as background noise, so that children remain consistently focused and engaged.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY562816 Local authority Rochdale Inspection number 10333474 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 34 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Little Stars Pre-School Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01706525345 Date of previous inspection 17 January 2024

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Information about this early years setting

Little Stars Pre-School Ltd registered in 2019. It is situated in Rochdale. The pre- school employs three members of staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 5, one holds level 3 and one holds level 2. The pre- school opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two- and three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector held a meeting with the manager to discuss the improvements made since the previous inspection. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children. n The inspector observed the quality of education and the impact this has on children's learning. n Consideration was given to parents' views. The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and viewed parents' written testimonials. n The inspector viewed a sample of documentation, including staff suitability checks. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk around the setting. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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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

11 September 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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