Little Stars Day Nursery @ The Lodge

Inspection of Little Stars Day Nursery @ The Lodge The Lodge, Pera Business Park, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 0PB

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children thrive in this nurturing setting. They respond positively as staff welcome them warmly. A secure routine helps children develop a sense of connection and belonging, which means they are eager to explore the learning opportunities on offer. Staff work closely with parents to gather information about children's lives outside the nursery. They use this information to provide a strong continuity of care for children. Children delight in spending time outdoors. They are thrilled to discover new equipment that has been delivered. Older children confidently open and close the doors of the new playhouse and invite their friends in. Babies develop as independent learners as they explore the learning environment and transport resources to use in their play. They confidently make choices about how they spend their time. Babies are keen to engage in simple role play as they feed the dolls and cover them with blankets.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of all children, and, in turn, children display consistently positive behaviour. They learn some simple strategies for taking turns, which helps them to play cooperatively with their friends. Staff model respectful behaviour with the children and with each other. This helps children understand the staff's expectations of them. Children start to learn about their emotions and understand the emotions of others with support from staff. They gain the skills and knowledge that prepare them for the next stage of their education.

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need to do better?

n Leaders provide staff support to develop their professional knowledge and extend their understanding of how children learn. They have developed an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum that underpins the planning and implementation of interesting experiences for children. The staff's skilful teaching of this curriculum supports all children to make good progress. n Leaders have a clear vision for the nursery. They communicate this effectively to staff. Staff report high levels of well-being. They receive excellent support from leaders, which contributes to them feeling valued. Leaders ensure that robust monitoring contributes to a culture of reflection. This helps to drive improvement consistently. n Children benefit from a range of physical experiences. Staff encourage children to take risks safely and challenge themselves as they develop strength and agility. Younger children demonstrate a growing confidence in climbing and

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need to do better?

balancing. They learn to use steps and ramps to extend their abilities. Children show excitement as they gather speed and run down the ramp into the waiting arms of staff. n Children consistently display positive behaviour. Staff use effective strategies to support them to take turns and share resources. Staff offer simple explanations

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need to do better?

17 April 2025 to children. They ensure that the children understand what is expected of them. For example, staff engage children in using sand timers for turn-taking. They use a 'now and next' board to support children's understanding of the daily routine. This contributes to children's feelings of safety and security. n Staff skilfully use books, props and puppets to extend children's understanding of stories. They provide opportunities for children to explore and play with dough. Staff model pulling, rolling and squeezing the dough, which helps to develop the small muscles in children's hands. Together, these opportunities support the development of early literacy skills. n Staff support children to become independent learners and encourage them to carry out tasks for themselves. For example, older children get involved in serving their food and pouring drinks, while younger children use flannels to

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need to do better?

wash their hands and faces. All children are supported to use cutlery appropriately from an early age. This helps them to develop important life skills. n The highly effective key-person system supports the emotional needs of babies. Staff ensure that respectful and nurturing care routines provide babies with high-quality interactions. They consistently support babies to explore and try new foods. Staff provide a range of experiences for babies to learn using their senses. For example, babies delight in using their hands to crunch and scoop cereal. n Overall, the staff support children's communication development well. They consistently use simple sign language to enable all children to communicate their wishes and feelings. Staff observe children's non-verbal communication and respond positively. For example, when children point or gesture to a toy they would like to explore, staff lift them up to reach for it. However, at times, staff

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need to do better?

ask closed questions of children without allowing sufficient time for them to think and respond. This does not fully support children's speaking skills. n Parents are delighted with the nurturing relationships that staff develop with their children. They are happy that children are safe and secure in the care of this friendly staff team. Parents praise leaders highly for their welcoming and professional approach.

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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 support staff to provide children with the time they need to think and respond to questions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2813438 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10395690 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 63 Number of children on roll 101 Name of registered person LS Education LTD

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reference number

Telephone number 01664896221 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Stars Day Nursery @ The Lodge registered in November 2024 and is located in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. The nursery employs 32 members of childcare staff. Of whom, 23 hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, apart from two weeks at Christmas and bank holidays. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged from nine months of age.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the nursery. 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 was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

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Inspection activities

their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

17 April 2025 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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