Little Shining Stars

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is inadequate

Children's health and safety is compromised at this nursery.

Leaders and managers have failed to act on previous actions set. Risk assessments are not effective. They have failed to ensure that the premises are suitably maintained and fit for purpose.

Leaders and managers do not always deploy staff effectively. Poor hygiene procedures mean that children are at risk of the spread of infection. This does not support children's personal development.

Leaders and managers do not ensure that staff have up-to-date knowledge of the requirements of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'. W...hile leaders and managers have made some changes to supervisions, these are still not effective to ensure that all staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Despite the weaknesses, the nursery is a calm and welcoming environment.

Staff form positive relationships with children and families. They know children well. Staff encourage children to remember and talk about their home lives.

Children engage in conversations about their families. They talk about where they have been on holiday. Staff ask questions and model language.

Children are happy to play with their friends and communicate with each other. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. Children learn to say 'please' and 'thank you' and are respectful of each other.

Children's behaviour is good. However, there are some inconsistencies in the quality of teaching. Staff do not always implement the strategies to support children's communication and language.

Planned activities do not always support children's mathematical development effectively. This does not help children to make as much progress as they could.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders and managers have not ensured that the outdoor area is safe for children.

Despite previous actions to address the safety and suitability of the premises, children continue to have access to broken and dangerous equipment. Children's safety is compromised.Leaders and managers do not ensure that staff deployment is effective, particularly when following babies' care routines.

Staff change nappies on a mat on the floor in the baby room in front of other children and adults. Children do not have privacy, and their dignity is not respected. Staff do not always change their aprons and gloves when changing children's nappies.

These routines do not support the health and hygiene of young children.Leaders and managers do not ensure that staff supervisions are effective. Not all staff are aware of recent updates to requirements.

New staff are not always clear on the policies and procedures and their roles and responsibilities within the nursery. For example, they do not follow hygiene procedures and are unaware of changes to the supervision of children.Leaders and managers do not consistently ensure that all staff promote children's communication and language skills effectively.

Staff speak to children and read stories over the music of nursery rhymes. This continuous background noise in some rooms does not support the early listening and speaking skills of young children.Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their independence skills.

Children learn to serve their own food and pour their own drinks. The level of independence increases as children move through the nursery. For example, babies learn to feed themselves.

Staff support toddlers to self-serve and practise pouring their own drinks. Older children develop the skills to serve food independently and use a knife and fork.Staff provide opportunities for children to explore a range of books.

Older children listen to stories in small groups. Toddlers look at books independently. Children use props to support their storytelling.

However, sometimes, the books staff choose to read to babies are too long. Books are not always appropriate for their age and stage of development. As a result, children lose interest and become distracted.

Staff promote the use of some mathematical language. They encourage children to count and use the language of size. Children count their fingers and cups.

Children use the language big, bigger and taller to describe objects. However, staff are not as skilled when using larger numbers. For example, staff say 'two and six make 26'.

This is not the correct use of number. In addition, staff do not always identify opportunities to teach children about measuring and quantity. For example, when making play dough, staff do not teach children to accurately measure the ingredients.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well. Staff use pictures to help children move between activities. This helps children to understand what is happening next.

Staff work closely with outside agencies and follow the advice they are given. Children with SEND make good progress.The nursery develops positive partnerships with parents.

Parents are informed about what their children have been doing during their time at the nursery. Parents comment that staff are approachable and have been supportive in accommodating children's individual needs.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

Staff complete some risk assessments. However, leaders and managers do not take prompt action to repair or remove broken and dangerous equipment. Children continue to have access to these areas.

Children's safety is compromised. All staff have access to regular safeguarding training. They understand the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and the procedures to follow.

Staff are aware of the steps to take should they have a concern about the conduct of a colleague. Leaders and managers check their understanding through supervisions and quizzes at staff meetings.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

The provision is inadequate and Ofsted intends to take enforcement action.



We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to: Due date ensure that the premises are suitably maintained and fit for purpose, particularly with regard to repairs to damaged areas of the premises and equipment, which should be carried out promptly to ensure the continued safety of staff and children 16/10/2023 improve staff deployment to enable staff to meet the needs of all children, particularly during care routines 16/10/2023 review the organisation of some daily routines, with particular regard to nappy changing, to ensure that health and hygiene practices are maintained 16/10/2023 improve the arrangements for supervisions to ensure that they are effective to support all staff interactions, understanding of care routines and staff knowledge of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'.16/10/2023 To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage, the provider must: Due date ensure that staff consistently implement the planned programme to support children's communication and language development, with particular regard to background noise and age-appropriate stories.07/11/2023 To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: support staff to develop their skills in the teaching of mathematics.

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