Little Stars at the Oaks

Inspection of Little Stars at the Oaks The Oaks Child and Family Centre, St Peters Church, Richmond Street, Accrington, Lancashire BB5 0SJ

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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 enjoy their day in this vibrant and exciting nursery environment. Staff create a well-organised and welcoming space for children to explore, learn and develop. Children are kind, caring and motivated learners. They enjoy participating in cooperative play with their peers, as well as adult-led activities. Staff know children well and confidently follow their interests and ideas when planning activities and resources. Children develop their love of books and stories through plentiful independent access across the nursery. Children also have numerous cosy spaces to listen to stories that staff read.

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The provision is good

Children are safe and secure. They rise to staff's high expectations and are respectful to their peers and other adults. Children build strong relationships with the enthusiastic, caring and friendly staff. They learn to play well with others. Staff skilfully help children to build their confidence and independence. Children learn how to take care of themselves and live healthily. For example, they regularly spend time outside engaged in meaningful physical activities. Staff teach children how to support their bodies through healthy food and drink. Parents and carers overwhelmingly appreciate the support their children and families receive. They praise the confidence and independence that their children achieve in the nursery.

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need to do better?

n Staff receive effective supervision sessions and coaching to help them to develop their skills. They regularly undertake training online, as well as through team events. Staff work collaboratively with leaders across most aspects of the nursery. They comment that their well-being is given a high priority by the management team, and they feel valued. n Leaders ensure that staff monitor children's development effectively. Staff use the information they gather from parents when children first start, alongside their own observations, to understand what children already know and can do. They then use this information to plan for what children need to learn next. Staff quickly identify where children may need additional support and plan successfully to narrow any gaps in their development. n Staff use shared strategies to promote children's safety and behaviour. For instance, staff remind children about 'golden rules', such as using their 'walking

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need to do better?

feet' indoors and 'kind hands'. Staff give children examples and the reasons why such rules are important. However, the provider has not extended this to help children to learn about using technology safely. This does not fully support children's early understanding of how to keep themselves safe in all areas of life. n The strong key-person system ensures that children feel confident and receive good support. This enables children to feel motivated to take part in activities. Overall, children behave very well. Staff quickly establish why any children may

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need to do better?

11 December 2024 be upset and comfort them lovingly to have them back learning soon after. Staff plan using children's interests to motivate their learning. For example, they use dinosaurs to help children to learn about mathematical concepts and complicated vocabulary. n Children are confident communicators. Staff provide strong support for children's language skills. They give children time to think and process a response. Staff help children to recall their previous learning, which allows a context for new learning. Children develop a love of books. A carefully considered range of fiction and non-fiction books are available across different activities and areas. This introduces children to exciting new vocabulary and experiences. n Staff make good use of routines to help children to become increasingly independent. For example, toddlers start to manage putting on and taking off their coats so that by the time they start pre-school, they need little help. Older

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need to do better?

children self-serve cereals, drinks and slice their own fruit. Staff encourage children to do as much as they can for themselves. As a result, children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning. n Parents are very positive about the nursery. They confirm that there is good communication, including daily opportunities to talk to their children's key person. Parents comment on how well staff work with them to be consistent for children, such as when they drop their children off at the nursery. n Staff make parents aware of bilingual staff members, who support children and families by speaking in their home languages while other staff learn key words and phrases. This helps children to settle quickly. Leaders provide good support for families who may have challenges, helping to ensure that all children receive good experiences.

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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 consider ways to include teaching about the safe use of technology in the curriculum to enhance how children learn to keep themselves safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482812 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10363882 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Adventure Hyndburn Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01254 879387 Date of previous inspection 15 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Stars at the Oaks registered in 2014 and is located in Accrington, Lancashire. The nursery provides morning sessions from 9am to midday and afternoon sessions from 1pm to 4pm, during term time. In total, five staff work at the nursery, all of whom hold relevant qualifications. The nursery provides government funded childcare.

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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 children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times 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. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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 December 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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