Bright Little Stars Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this dynamic nursery. From the moment children start, staff work tirelessly to understand each individual. Children quickly form firm bonds with staff, secure in the knowledge that they are truly understood and valued. Sensitive daily practices, such as regular visits from older siblings in the nursery, successfully support babies in settling. The positive attitude of staff and managers permeates all areas of their work. Children reflect this, showing high levels of engagement and a genuine enjoyment of learning, frequently challenging themselves. For example, older children independently write their names. They sound out each other's names and try to write these without checking back on the written name. Children play an active role in their learning, often immersing themselves in highly intricate play. For instance, they collect thin log slices, patiently persevering as they arrange these and creating characters for each as they become 'people'.

Children's behaviour is exceptionally good. They show a mature approach and settle minor disputes independently. Staff recognise that, due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, many children have not visited a dentist. They help children learn to clean their teeth, practising this twice daily and offering information and training to parents. Children talk confidently about their feelings. They practise calming techniques, such as yoga, and recognise when they need quiet time, often taking themselves to the 'well-being area'.

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

• Managers have exceptionally high expectations and are uncompromising in their goal to offer the very best for every child. They share their unwavering commitment with staff, motivating them to ensure that all children are offered excellent care. Staff well-being is exceptionally well considered. Managers offer staff highly pertinent support. Staff report that they thoroughly enjoy their work and appreciate the excellent teamwork.
• Staff demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of each child and fully understand what they need to learn next. Their excellent planning and sensitive interactions ensure that all children make exceptional progress. Meticulous monitoring procedures ensure that any gaps in children's learning are swiftly addressed.
• Working with other professionals and the support offered to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are key strengths. The nursery's special educational needs coordinator implements sensitive procedures to highlight any areas where specialist support may be needed as early as possible. She pays meticulous attention to understanding each child and sharing relevant information. This ensures that children receive consistent, expertly tailored support that aids them in making the best possible progress.
• Staff appreciate the importance of promoting children's language and communication skills, taking great care to support children who speak English as an additional language. Babies and younger children use sign language to aid their early communication. Older children develop and use excellent language skills. For example, children using natural and everyday items to create patterns creatively describe their artwork. Children fully understand the natural back and forth of conversations, carefully listening to one another and adding their own contributions.
• Creative staff bring books to life, encouraging children's deep enjoyment of books and reading. For example, younger children listen to a favourite story. They use practical props to re-tell this. The children become totally immersed as they place the characters in their favourite part of the story and create different endings.
• Staff judge precisely when to intervene to support children, balancing this with offering them opportunities to think critically and practise what they have been learning. For instance, children in the role-play shop use pretend money. They work out the value of each note. They then find a fifty pence coin and carefully identify a five and a zero, using their prior knowledge to work out that this is 'fifty'.
• Highly skilled staff pay close attention to children's interests, frequently using these to initiate wonder and delight in children's play. For example, after noting that some children were going on holiday and some may not have this experience, staff helped children transform their room into a beach. Children delight in feeling sand under their feet and describing this, playing beach games and comparing the building qualities of wet and dry sand.
• Parents praise managers and staff, stating that they are integral to making this such an amazing nursery. Parents highlight the excellent communication. They appreciate the highly practical support they receive in building on their children's learning at home.