Little Stars Childcare Leek First

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are greeted warmly by kind and caring staff. They enter happily and are keen to get involved in the activities on offer. Staff understand that for children to be ready to learn well, they first need to feel safe, secure and welcome. They provide a stimulating and interesting range of resources and experiences, which children explore with enthusiasm. Staff are responsive to children's needs, and there are strong bonds between staff and children. Staff provide comfort, such as cuddles, to children who need more reassurance.

Staff use their understanding of children's learning needs and interests to plan and deliver a broad curriculum. For example, children are creative and enjoy exploring varied materials, such as sand and water. Staff promote children's awareness of mathematics effectively, such as by encouraging counting and recognition of numbers. Children demonstrate good behaviours as they interact with their peers and form friendships. Staff are good role models and use gentle reminders to help children learn how to behave. They have high expectations for children's learning and behaviour and are consistent in their approach. Children learn to cooperate with routines, listen to staff and show consideration towards others. All children make good progress in their learning and development.

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

• The manager provides a curriculum that builds on children's knowledge as they progress through the nursery. Staff accurately identify next steps in children's learning. As well as developing children's confidence and independence, staff teach the skills that children need later for reading and writing. They focus their teaching on the knowledge children need in preparation for their move to school.
• Overall, staff plan to develop children's communication skills. For example, staff model language, sing songs and read familiar stories to children. However, sometimes, during adult-led activities, children are not given sufficient opportunities to develop conversations. This means some children do not use more complex language to consolidate their vocabulary and understanding.
• Children develop their imaginations through role play, and staff ensure that children have resources to support their growing interest in technology. Staff talk about providing children with real-life experiences, such as visiting nearby shops, that teach them about their local community.
• Children develop good literacy skills. They choose to look at books and listen attentively to stories. Staff help children to remember, long term, what has been taught. For example, older children confidently identify the title, author and bar-code on their book. However, sometimes, group sizes are too large to give all children the attention they need to share their thoughts and ideas. This results in some children becoming restless.
• Staff want children to develop a positive attitude towards following a healthy lifestyle. Meals and snacks are nutritious and varied. Children have regular opportunities to play outdoors and engage in physical activities, such as pedalling vehicles and climbing up to use the slide. Young children enjoy a lively dance session. In addition, children manipulate play dough and carefully cut paper with scissors to make lanterns.
• The special educational needs coordinator is knowledgeable and understands the importance of acting on concerns about children's development. She works well with staff, parents and other agencies to put specific plans in place to support children's development. She offers training and support for staff. This includes implementing support plans and reviewing specific targets for all children. Additional funding is used suitably, including to buy resources and provide experiences for the children, to help close any gaps in children's learning.
• Partnership working with parents is effective. Parents comment on the positive relationships that their children form with their key person. They compliment staff for sharing regular information with them about their children's learning and development. This includes providing activity ideas for parents to try at home.
• The knowledgeable leadership team has a strong vision for the future of this nursery. Leaders value their staff and work hard to give careful consideration to their well-being. The provider leads a robust recruitment, induction and ongoing supervision process for staff.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help staff to improve their teaching to the highest level so that all activities consistently support children's communication and language development
• review the organisation of group activities to enable all children to remain focused and engaged in their learning.