Shining Stars

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

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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 management and team of staff provide children with a very calm and homely environment in which to play. Children are greeted with genuine warmth and kindness by staff, who are happy to see them. Children demonstrate that they are enthusiastic and eager to learn and settle quickly. They leave their parents with ease and become engrossed in activities offered. Staff plan a broad curriculum around the children's interests and developing needs, also introducing seasonal topics to extend their learning about the world around them. Planned activities in the local community, such as regular visits to the library, enhance children's learning further. Children are aware of the expectations and rules of the nursery. They positively respond to the requests of staff, for example, when it is time to put things away in preparation for dinner. They listen with intent to instructions, and staff speak respectfully to children. Staff are calm and positive role models, and

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The provision is good

An effective key-person system ensures that the staff know children well. They invest time in getting to know the children and their families well before they attend. Babies are very happy and settled. Their individual routines are followed to ensure they feel safe and secure. They are offered comforters from home and are soothed as they receive cuddles and reassurance when they become tired. All children have established trusting bonds with their key person. Children's speech and language development is good, and they demonstrate that they are confident speakers and engage visitors to the nursery in their games and conversations.

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need to do better?

n The management team is passionate about its role. The team is committed to providing the best outcomes for children. Staff have worked hard to improve the nursery since the last inspection. They evaluate changes made to ensure they have a positive impact for the children attending. Plans are in place to develop the nursery further. n The quality of teaching is good. Children are offered a broad curriculum that covers all areas of learning. Staff plan according to children's individual interests and what they need to learn next and promote the skills they need to be independent learners. However, the curriculum is not consistently challenging and, sometimes, the most able children are unable to build on what they already know and extend their knowledge to an even higher level. n Children focus on activities of their choice and show sustained concentration. For example, they persevere as they make train tracks. Staff interaction is good, and

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need to do better?

they are subtle as they offer help by providing more resources. They engage children in conversation that encourages them to think critically to find the right pieces to make the track.

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need to do better?

26 September 2024 n Staff are encouraged in their own professional development. There is a culture of evaluating and sharing new ideas and knowledge learned from training opportunities. n Children learn the importance of staying safe and healthy through daily routines. For example, they enjoy a balanced diet of healthy snacks and meals that are freshly prepared each day. Stringent procedures in place ensure children's allergies and dietary needs are supported. n Children enjoy fresh air and exercise outdoors and are proud of the vegetables they grow. They confidently explain to visitors to the setting about the crop of tomatoes and beetroot they have grown. n The nursery is fully inclusive, and all children make good progress, including those who need additional support. Professional relationships have been established with outside agencies to ensure early intervention, and support is in place to help children achieve their full potential.

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need to do better?

n The staff have established friendly but professional relationships with parents. They welcome the input of parents into the children's learning and encourage them to share what they know. Positive links have been established with other early years settings children attend to ensure continuity of care. n Parents speak highly of the nursery, commenting that their children settle quickly and that they make good progress. They say the staff go 'above and beyond' their expectations to ensure the children are happy. n The team has worked hard and continues to make improvements since the last inspection. While changes have been made in the baby room, the organisation of the environment means staff are sometimes busy with other tasks. Therefore, babies are not fully engaged, as staff are not able to focus on supporting the children for a smooth transition for nappy changing, sleep and mealtimes.

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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:

n plan more opportunities in the curriculum to challenge children's thinking to consistently build on what they already know and can do n develop and continue to strengthen the learning environment for babies so that they remain fully engaged during transition times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2715752 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10326145 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 41 Name of registered person Greaves, Charlotte

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reference number

Telephone number 07527763038 Date of previous inspection 15 December 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Shinning Stars registered in 2022. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff, of whom four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager showed the inspector around the areas that children access. They discussed how staff organise the environment and plan the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of the nursery documents, which included evidence about staff's suitability and training. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.

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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

26 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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