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Early years · Report card

Shining Stars Nursery

Inspected 10 Jul 2026 · URN 2828129

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Summary

No overall grade in this frameworkSafeguarding met

Heidi Kurjan

What we read, and from where

Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.

  • Achievement verified

    Expected standard

  • Behaviour, attitudes and routines verified

    Expected standard

  • Children's welfare and wellbeing verified

    Expected standard

  • Curriculum and teaching verified

    Expected standard

  • Inclusion verified

    Expected standard

  • Leadership and governance verified

    Needs attention

  • Framework verified

    Report card

  • Group verified

    Shining Stars Nursery Ltd

  • Inspection datesingle source

    10 Jul 2026

  • Inspectors verified

    Heidi Kurjan

  • Postcode verified

    PR1 3TH

  • Name on report verified

    Shining Stars Nursery

  • Safeguarding verified

    Met

  • URN verified

    2828129

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Grade profile

Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.

  • AchievementExpected
  • Behaviour, attitudes and routinesExpected
  • Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected
  • InclusionExpected
  • Leadership and governanceNeeds attention

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+85Very positivemore positive than 79% of reports of this type

In line with other reports of this type.

Praisepositiveconfidentlyfeel safeeffectivemake good progresswarmsecuretrusting relationships
Criticismnot consistentlyconcerns

How the report reads, start to finish

Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.

FindingsSafeguardingAbout the inspectionLeadershipWhat needs to improve positive critical
  • Findings1163w+88
  • Leadership292w+79
  • Safeguarding51w−11
  • What needs to improve121w0

Strengths

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

Concerns

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

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.

Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
9
Words of findings
1,627
about usual (typical 1698)
Reading level
Very hard
Flesch 28, typical 43
Average sentence
16 words
Next steps
3
typical 3
Hedged sentences
0%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 53%Leadership 13%Safeguarding 2%What needs to improve 6%About the inspection 26%

Full report text

Shining Stars Nursery

Unique reference number (URN): 2828129 Address: New Jerusalem Church, 14 Avenham Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 3TH Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registered with Ofsted: 03/03/2025 Registers: EYR, CCR, VCR Registered person: Shining Stars Nursery Ltd

p.1

Safeguarding standards met

The safeguarding standards are met. This means that leaders and/or those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their specific responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed. As a result, children are made safer and feel safe.

p.1

How we evaluate safeguarding

When we inspect settings for safeguarding, they can have the following outcomes:

p.1

How we evaluate safeguarding

Met: The setting has an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not met: The setting has not created an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not all legal requirements are met.

p.1

Achievement Expected standard

Children make good progress from their individual starting points and develop the knowledge and skills they need across the areas of learning. They are prepared well for the next stages of their education. They demonstrate increasing confidence in their communication and language skills. For example, they respond enthusiastically to practitioners' skilful interactions. They confidently engage in meaningful conversations, sharing their ideas and experiences while practitioners extend their vocabulary and encourage sustained discussion.

p.2

Achievement Expected standard

Children's personal, social and emotional development is effectively promoted through warm relationships and positive interactions. Children's achievements are consistently celebrated. For instance, a child scoring a goal is enthusiastically recognised, with peers joining in to cheer and congratulate one another. These experiences build children's confidence, resilience and self-esteem while encouraging positive relationships.

p.2

Achievement Expected standard

Children beam with pride as they share their accomplishments, such as showing stickers they have earned to their friends, demonstrating a willingness to persevere, to challenge themselves, and to celebrate the success of others.

p.2

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Leaders have established a positive and nurturing culture. Clear routines and consistent expectations help children feel safe, secure and ready to learn. Staff model respectful behaviour and reinforce expectations through calm, positive interactions. Children understand what staff expect and confidently follow daily routines.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Children generally demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. Staff support children to collaborate, share and play cooperatively with their peers. During mealtimes, one child handed out plates while others waited patiently. Staff encouraged good manners by prompting children to say 'please' when requesting more food. These everyday opportunities promote independence, responsibility and mutual respect. They also strengthen children's positive social skills. Warm, trusting relationships create a calm environment where children confidently seek reassurance from familiar adults. Staff adapt their interactions to children's ages, developmental stages and individual needs. Behaviour is typically positive. However, leaders should strengthen opportunities for younger children to recognise, understand and express their emotions. This will further develop self-regulation skills and support consistently positive behaviour across all age groups. Leaders promote good attendance

p.2

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

and punctuality, enabling children to benefit fully from the experiences available.

p.2

Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Leaders ensure that children's welfare and wellbeing are central to everyday practice. Staff know children well and provide responsive care that reflects their individual needs, backgrounds and stages of development. Secure relationships enable children to feel safe, valued and confident to explore their environment. This is particularly evident for children who require additional emotional support. For example, practitioners provide consistent reassurance and a familiar routine for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, allowing them to build trusting relationships, develop confidence, and gradually engage alongside their peers.

p.2

Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Children benefit from effective care routines that support their health and wellbeing. During snack time, children independently washed their hands before choosing from a selection of healthy foods. They are encouraged to pour their own drinks and choose what they wish to eat, promoting independence and supporting their physical development. Staff respond sensitively to children's individual care needs, ensuring routines such as eating, hygiene and personal care are adapted appropriately where required.

p.3

Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Children are happy, settled and secure. They confidently follow familiar routines and build positive relationships with staff. Staff do not consistently extend opportunities for young children and those who require additional support to fully develop resilience, self-regulation and emotional wellbeing.

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Staff deliver an engaging curriculum that effectively balances child-led play with purposeful adult interactions. They know children well and build successfully on their interests to promote learning across all areas of the curriculum. For example, staff supported children in climbing and balancing outdoors, helping them develop coordination, confidence and an understanding of appropriate risk. They also skilfully extended children's thinking during conversations. When a child spoke about France being in the World Cup, staff used this interest to broaden vocabulary, encourage discussion and develop children's understanding of the wider world. Previous learning is regularly revisited, enabling children to remember what they have learned and build securely on existing knowledge.

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Staff use generally effective questioning and introduce a broad range of vocabulary during interactions, supporting children's communication and language development. Mathematical concepts are woven naturally into daily routines and play through counting, comparing and problem-solving, helping children apply their learning in meaningful contexts. As a result, children remain engaged, develop confidence in expressing their ideas and make good progress across the areas of learning.

p.3

Curriculum and teaching Expected standard

Leaders provide clear direction and support staff well. Children generally build warm relationships with staff and feel safe and secure. Leaders recognise where practice needs to improve. Staff do not consistently challenge younger children through meaningful conversations or introduce new vocabulary. Staff also miss opportunities to deepen children's understanding of emotions. Leaders should strengthen staff practice in these areas to improve outcomes for children.

p.3

Inclusion Expected standard

Leaders and staff promote an inclusive culture that enables all children to make sustained progress. They know children well and quickly identify emerging needs. This is done through

p.3

Needs attention

regular observations, ongoing assessments and assessments to monitor communication and language.

p.4

Needs attention

Leaders work closely with parents and professionals to review progress and adapt support where needed. Staff demonstrate a secure understanding of the graduated approach. This ensures they respond swiftly to the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those known or previously known to children's social care. As a result, barriers to learning are reduced, children typically make sustained progress and they are well prepared for their next stage of learning.

p.4

Needs attention

Staff act promptly on concerns, working closely with parents to share information, agree next steps and secure additional support where needed. This enables early intervention and reduces barriers to learning. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive timely, personalised support. Staff adapt teaching through visual prompts, targeted interventions and individual strategies. This typically enables children with speech and language delays to communicate confidently and participate fully. Early years pupil premium funding is used effectively to provide additional resources and targeted experiences, ensuring disadvantaged children have reasonable access to learning opportunities. For example, a broad curriculum, including visits to parks, swimming and the local community, promotes inclusion and supports children's wider development.

p.4

Leadership and governance Needs attention

Leaders respond positively to feedback and have identified appropriate priorities for improvement. Leaders must ensure that the leadership team holds the qualifications required by the early years foundation stage to maintain statutory compliance and strengthen leadership capacity. In particular, the named manager must hold a recognised level 3 early years qualification, as required by the statutory framework, to fulfil the role of manager. Although this requirement is not currently met, there is no discernible impact on the quality of education.

p.4

Leadership and governance Needs attention

Leaders have established effective induction and settling-in procedures that support children in forming secure attachments and transitioning confidently into the setting. Parents are actively involved throughout this process, enabling staff to gather detailed information about children's individual needs, interests and routines. This ensures that care and learning are tailored from the outset, promoting children's wellbeing and helping them settle quickly.

p.4

Leadership and governance Needs attention

Leaders demonstrate a secure understanding of the setting's strengths and are committed to continuous improvement. They have created an open and supportive culture where staff wellbeing is valued. Staff describe leaders as approachable, responsive and supportive of their professional development. This contributes positively to staff confidence and morale. Leaders prioritise training and continuous professional development, ensuring staff maintain up-to-date knowledge and continue to improve outcomes for children.

p.4

Leadership and governance Needs attention

Leaders place children's individual needs at the centre of decision-making. This is done by ensuring that they are well prepared for their next stage of learning. Effective partnership working with families and professionals ensures children, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receive timely interventions that promote positive outcomes. Parents speak highly of the provision, describing staff as caring, approachable and supportive. They value the regular communication they receive and report that their children are happy, well cared for and enjoy attending the setting.

p.4

Compulsory Childcare Register requirements

This setting has met the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

p.5

Register

When we check if settings meet the Compulsory Childcare Register requirements, they can have the following outcomes:

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Voluntary Childcare Register requirements

This setting has met the requirements of the voluntary part of Childcare Register.

p.5

Register

When we check if settings meet the Voluntary Childcare Register requirements, they can have the following outcomes:

p.5

What it's like to be a child at this setting

Children arrive happily and settle quickly into this warm and welcoming setting, where they form secure relationships with kind and attentive staff. Children show they feel safe, valued and confident as they independently access resources, share their ideas and seek support when needed. Children develop positive friendships and learn to cooperate, take turns and show respect for one another during both adult-led and child-initiated experiences.

p.6

What it's like to be a child at this setting

Children enjoy a broad and engaging curriculum that builds on what they already know and can do. Staff know children well and use their interests to motivate learning. For example, children enthusiastically explored how ice melts, predicting what would happen and introducing new vocabulary such as 'freeze', 'melt' and 'cold'. During group discussions, children confidently talked about the weather, counted together and recognised numbers, strengthening their mathematical understanding in meaningful contexts. Children are encouraged to think critically, solve problems and share their ideas with confidence.

p.6

What it's like to be a child at this setting

The outdoor environment is well organised and provides children with continuous access to exciting and purposeful learning opportunities. They move freely between areas of provision, selecting activities that promote their curiosity, imagination and physical development. They challenge themselves through well-planned outdoor experiences, building confidence, resilience and positive relationships. The outdoor area is thoughtfully planned to ensure they remain fully engaged while extending learning across all areas of the curriculum.

p.6

What it's like to be a child at this setting

Children develop increasing independence throughout the day. They confidently make choices, access resources for themselves and take responsibility for manageable tasks within daily routines. Children develop a good understanding of their local community and the wider world through a range of meaningful experiences.

p.6

What it's like to be a child at this setting

Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are well supported through effective partnerships with families and other professionals. Individual needs are understood, and appropriate support is put in place to help children make good progress from their starting points. As a result, children are happy, develop confidence in their abilities and leave the setting well prepared for the next stage in their learning.

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Next steps

The provider is not meeting the requirements of the Early years foundation stage and Childcare Register and Ofsted intends to take enforcement action.

p.6

Next steps

We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to have taken the following action by the assigned date:

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Action Completion Date

ensure that management qualification requirements are fully met in line with the early years foundation stage 17/09/2026

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Address:

New Jerusalem Church 14 Avenham Road Preston Lancashire PR1 3TH

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Address:

Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Address:

Registered person: Shining Stars Nursery Ltd

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Address:

Operating hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 07:00 - 17:00

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Facts and figures used on inspection

This data was available to the inspector at the time of the inspection.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the leader, deputy leader, staff and parents.

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About this inspection

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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Exceptional

Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other settings can learn from it.

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Strong standard

The setting reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them.

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Expected standard

The setting is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non ‑ statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them.

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Needs attention

The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements.

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Urgent improvement

The setting needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care.

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Urgent improvement

services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.

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Urgent improvement

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Urgent improvement

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Urgent improvement

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Urgent improvement

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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