Early years · Early years inspection (EIF)
Smart Stars Nursery Ltd
Summary
What we read, and from where
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- Inspection date verified
11 Jun 2025
- Inspectors verified
Katherine Wilson
- Behaviour and attitudes verified
Good
- Leadership and management verified
Good
- Overall effectiveness verified
Good
- Personal development verified
Good
- Quality of education verified
Good
- Postcode verified
B28 8AU
- Name on report verified
Smart Stars Nursery Ltd
- URN verified
2720873
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.
- OverallGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Quality of educationGood
79% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (17,905 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
In line with other reports of this type graded Good.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
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Strengths
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Concerns
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No strong criticism found.
Next steps
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What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Reading & phonics3
“They foster a love of books across the nursery.” p.2Leadership & governance2
“Leaders and staff work hard to develop strong partnerships with parents.” p.2
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 6
- Words of findings
- 721
- about usual (typical 803)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 44, typical 54
- Average sentence
- 13 words
- Next steps
- 2
- typical 2
- Hedged sentences
- 7%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Inspection of Smart Stars Nursery Ltd 1143 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 8AU
p.1
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
p.1
The provision is good
Staff greet children warmly as they arrive at this inclusive setting. When children feel unsure, staff provide warm cuddles and gentle reassurance, which helps children to settle quickly. This supports children to feel safe and secure. The garden offers a stimulating outdoor environment where children enthusiastically explore. For example, they investigate toy animals in the water, imitating their sounds and movements. Staff talk to children about where these animals might be found, developing their awareness of the natural world around them.
p.2
The provision is good
Throughout the day, staff take time to listen to children's voices. During group activities, staff encourage all children to participate and share what they have created. For example, children proudly talk about their tissue-paper and paper- plate creations. Staff celebrate their contributions with an abundance of praise. This helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem.
p.2
The provision is good
Staff consistently model positive behaviour expectations. They come down to children's eye level to talk to them about how their behaviours can affect others. This respectful approach supports children in recognising and managing their emotions. As a result, children respond positively, showing increasing confidence in resolving conflicts independently. They show kindness and respect for others.
p.2
need to do better?
n The setting provides strong support for children who speak English as an additional language and for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff work closely with families and other professionals to implement timely, individualised support plans. Staff monitor these rigorously to ensure that all children make expected progress. n Staff embed good hygiene practices and healthy choices through daily routines. They talk to children about the importance of handwashing. Children confidently explain that washing hands helps to get rid of germs and keeps themselves healthy. Children enjoy a balanced and nutritious menu. Staff encourage children to stay active through a variety of ways. Children participate in a morning 'wake up, shake up' session. They copy actions and activate their muscles, which helps energise them for the day ahead. n Staff plan a broad range of activities to spark children's curiosity and support
p.2
need to do better?
their development. However, on occasion, the organisation of resources and group sizes at table-top activities indoors can sometimes hinder engagement. When spaces become overcrowded, some children struggle to maintain focus, limiting opportunities for deeper learning and purposeful play. n At the heart of the curriculum is communication and language. Staff provide regular opportunities for children to develop vocabulary, listening and speaking
p.2
need to do better?
11 June 2025 skills. They foster a love of books across the nursery. Children regularly borrow books to read at home with their families. Staff use these experiences to talk with children about the stories they have read. This helps them to learn to recall information and build their vocabulary. n Staff plan activities and consider how they are going to close gaps in children's learning. They encourage children to go and choose where they want to take their learning next. However, on occasion, during some adult-led activities, staff do not always extend children's knowledge beyond what they already know and can do. Consequently, opportunities to maximise learning are occasionally missed. n Leaders and staff work hard to develop strong partnerships with parents. Staff provide parent workshops to support the families that attend. They share regular updates with parents about their children's learning and development. Parents
p.2
need to do better?
give positive feedback about the level of care and attention staff provide for their children. n Staff work collaboratively together. Leaders support staff well to reach their individual targets and any ongoing professional development following their supervision meetings. Staff praise the level of support and encouragement in their role. This contributes to a positive and nurturing environment for both children and staff. n Staff celebrate each child's uniqueness and actively promote a sense of belonging in the setting. Children take part in a range of activities that reflect their own cultural backgrounds and those of their friends. This helps children develop respect for different traditions and celebrations, fostering their understanding of diversity and the wider community.
p.3
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
p.3
Safeguarding
There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.
p.3
should:
n help staff to recognise when to adapt or tailor the indoor learning environments more effectively to enable children to stay focused in their learning n refine how staff deliver the curriculum more precisely to further extend children's knowledge and understanding.
p.3
Setting details
Unique reference number 2720873 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10401605 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises
p.4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care
p.4
inspection
Total number of places 59 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Smart Stars Nursery Ltd
p.4
reference number
Telephone number 01218203482 Date of previous inspection Not applicable
p.4
Information about this early years setting
Smart Stars Nursery Ltd registered in 2023. The nursery employs four members of childcare staff, all holding a relevant early years childcare qualification at level 3. The nursery operates term time only, excluding bank holidays. Sessions are from Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 4.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for all children.
p.4
Inspection activities
n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the hygiene, safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager, deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The children and staff spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n The inspector and the deputy manager carried out a joint observation of a creative activity. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the
p.5
Inspection activities
suitability of staff working in the nursery.
p.5
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.
p.5
Inspection activities
11 June 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.
p.5
Inspection activities
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Inspection activities
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Inspection activities
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Inspection activities
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p.6
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