Little Stars Nursery - Stonehouse

Inspection of Little Stars Nursery - Stonehouse 25 Manor Street, Plymouth PL1 1TL

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children settle quickly in this friendly nursery. Staff greet them enthusiastically, and children gather on the carpet ready to find out from staff about the day's events. Overall, the curriculum is planned and implemented well. Leaders closely monitor children's progress to quickly close gaps in learning. For instance, staff ensure that they help children to develop their hand-eye coordination. They support children in using plastic tongs to pick up small plastic animals. They encourage children to squeeze the tongs hard enough so that they can pick up the items and place them into coloured trays. This helps to strengthen children's finger and hand muscles in preparation for early writing.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. They use 'golden rules' to help children understand between right and wrong. Children understand 'kind hands' and learn to play cooperatively. Staff teach children to share, saying 'your turn, my turn', which supports children's social skills. Children then use this in their own play with their friends.

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The provision is good

Children feel safe and secure, forming close relationships with staff. They frequently invite staff into their play and spontaneously go to them for cuddles. Staff are passionate in their role, helping children to have a positive attitude to learning.

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need to do better?

n Children learn the importance of oral health. Staff ensure that children brush their teeth soon after entering nursery. Children watch an interactive video and copy staff who also brush their teeth alongside them. Staff talk to children about different brush movements and to make sure they reach their teeth at the back of their mouth. n Staff implement frequent song times. Younger children enjoy their favourite songs, such as 'The Wheels on the Bus'. They join in, using sounds and single words. Older children chant the days of the week and work out that it is 'Wednesday'. Children join in with words and actions to their favourite tunes, helping to support their confidence and speaking skills. n Older children develop their communication skills well. Staff implement 'Chat on the Mat', where children can share their own experiences, such as 'Bonfire Night'. Children use describing words when they talk about fireworks, including

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need to do better?

'flashing' and 'colourful'. Younger children benefit from staff using visual aids and sign language to develop their understanding. However, staff do not consistently promote children's home languages to develop their understanding. Children who speak English as an additional language sometimes walk away as they do not know what is being said to them.

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need to do better?

6 November 2024 n Staff implement respectful care practices. They ask children if they can change their nappy, and staff make these times a positive experience. For instance, staff sing songs and make children laugh. Children show a willingness to cooperate. n Parents speak highly of the nursery. They comment on the strong communication from staff and how they can view their child's progress through an online app. Parents talk about how the nursery has supported them as a whole family and how their child's development has improved since starting. n Children enjoy group activities, such as making 'firework' pictures. They use glue brushes to make large circular movements. Children then pick up small, coloured sticks using their pincer grip and place them onto their picture to represent fireworks. They enjoy sprinkling glitter and talk about the colours they have used. However, staff do not plan and implement adult-led activities to meet

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need to do better?

children's individual needs. Some children find the activity too easy and leave soon after starting. n Partnerships with other professionals are effective. Staff work closely with relevant agencies to ensure that children and their families receive ongoing support. For example, they meet frequently with the on-site children's centre to drive improvement. n The nursery implements effective supervision to monitor the quality of staff teaching. Staff observe each other's practice and provide feedback to identify their strengths and areas to develop. For instance, staff now ensure a consistent approach so that older children understand routines.

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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 consistently promote younger children's home languages to further develop their understanding n plan and implement group activities more effectively for older children to build on their individual needs and next stages of development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY477861 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 10367554 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 33 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person KCP Keystone CIC

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reference number

Telephone number 01752 223181 Date of previous inspection 13 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Stars Nursery re-registered in 2014 and is situated in Stonehouse, Plymouth. The nursery is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, and from 9am to 12.45pm on Friday. The nursery opens during term time and also offers care during the summer holidays. It offers government funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children. There are eight members of childcare staff who work at the nursery. One member of staff holds a level 5 qualification, one staff member holds a level 4 qualification and four staff members hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 3. Two members of staff are unqualified and training towards a childcare qualification.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of the 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

6 November 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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