Little Stars Childcare

Inspection of Little Stars Childcare Bear Road, BRIGHTON BN2 4DA

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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 receive warm and personalised greetings from familiar staff as they arrive to start their day. Staff check in with parents for any information they may need to know to meet children's needs effectively. Children who are new to the nursery, or those who need a little extra support to separate from parents, receive comforting cuddles, which enables them to settle quickly. Children of all ages become absorbed in a variety of activities and play experiences within the environment. These have been well planned to include children's individual interests. In turn, children swiftly make choices in their play and, on the whole, demonstrate positive engagement as they play and learn.

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The provision is good

Staff have high but appropriate expectations of children's behaviour. They apply a consistent approach as they support children to learn right from wrong. Staff support them to resolve any minor conflicts swiftly. This helps children to learn about their own and others' growing emotions. Staff are positive role models, which contributes to children's kindness towards one another. They invite friends to join in games and create imaginative play together, sharing their thoughts and ideas. In addition, staff understand the importance of teaching children to be safe. They provide explanations as to why they have asked children to do or not do something to help children understand consequences. As such, older children confidently remind each other to tidy toys away so they are not a trip hazard. These experiences provide children with the knowledge they need as they learn to keep themselves and others safe.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are passionate about their roles and the experience they provide children and their families. They value being positive members of the local community as they get to know families to create an open, trusting and inclusive culture. In addition, leaders value their staff, who report they are well supported and have a genuine dedication and enjoyment for their roles. n Staff have a secure knowledge of the curriculum. As such, children have access to a range of learning that covers all seven areas of the early years foundation stage. Staff adapt and tailor learning experiences to support children's individual stages of learning. Staff know what children have learned and what they are teaching them next and why. They provide opportunities for children to revisit new skills and knowledge as they support them to build on these even further. This helps all children, including those with special educational needs and/or

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need to do better?

disabilities, to make the good progress they are capable of. n Children are generally encouraged and supported to be independent. They choose their play and are well supported in developing their self-care and hygiene practices. However, staff do not always recognise opportunities to

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need to do better?

8 July 2025 consistently promote children to gain the skills they need. For instance, sometimes, staff complete tasks that children could do for themselves. This does not fully promote children to gain the independence skills they strive to achieve. n The key-person arrangements are effective. Staff understand the importance of developing secure bonds with children. As a result, children seek out staff for praise, support and reassurance if needed. Staff are nurturing and attentive to children's needs and wants. This supports children's personal, social and emotional development well as children feel valued, respected and included. n Children's communication and language development is fundamental at this nursery. Younger children hear clearly spoken, single, repetitive words. This is complimented by staff's exaggerated facial expressions, use of gesture and visual aids. Older children are supported to develop secure conversational skills

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need to do better?

and learn new words in context, such as 'massive' and 'stethoscope'. This broadens their range of vocabulary. This supports all children to become confident communicators. n Overall, the routines of the day are well considered. However, staff do not always recognise that there are some routine times, particularly for the older children, where their behaviour and engagement is impacted due to long periods of sitting down. Despite this, generally, children demonstrate good levels of engagement. n All children have ample opportunities to develop their physical skills. Staff actively promote both gross and fine motor development. Children develop their core muscle skills as well as improving their dexterity and hand-eye coordination. This prepares children for future early writing skills. n Partnerships with parents are strong. There is an effective two-way flow of information, which children are at the heart of. Parents and carers are highly

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need to do better?

complementary of the learning and personalised care their children receive.

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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 strengthen opportunities for all children to do even more for themselves to further support their growing independence, in preparation for their next stage of learning n review the organisation of some daily routines, particularly for the older children, to ensure their individual needs are fully met and their engagement consistently promoted.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY455968 Local authority Brighton and Hove Inspection number 10398842 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 63 Number of children on roll 114 Name of registered person Little Stars Childcare Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01273707581 Date of previous inspection 12 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Stars Childcare registered in 2012 and is located in Brighton, East Sussex. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, all year round. There are 31 members of staff. Of these, 21 hold appropriate early years qualifications between level 2 and level 5. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged from nine months to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out joint observations of planned activities. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between the staff and children. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n Children communicated with the inspector. n Parents and carers shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

8 July 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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