Stars Day Nurseries Ltd t/a Stars Pre-School Parnwell

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are highly enthusiastic when arriving at the setting. They settle extremely quickly and become thoroughly engaged in a wide range of well-planned learning opportunities. These are based on children's interests, helping to deepen children's knowledge and skills. Children receive warm and responsive care from staff. Staff respectfully communicate and listen to children, engaging with them enthusiastically to make learning and play fun. Children are continually engaged in their play and learning, either independently or in groups. Staff encourage children to talk and share together, inviting each other into their play. The setting has developed a bespoke curriculum. All staff understand how to use this to support children to make rapid progress in their development and ensure they are ready for their next stage in learning.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are extremely well supported. The setting forges strong relationships with parents and other professionals to quickly identify children's needs. This means that the help and support that is required to help children make the best progress is quickly put in place. The setting develops close, trusting relationships within its community. It reaches out to ensure that families and children receive the support they need, such as food parcels and presents for Eid or Christmas.

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

• Staff are highly effective at supporting children's communication and language. Staff sing songs, listen to music and play with instruments. Children enthusiastically participate with staff. They learn about rhythm and volume. Staff use the 'book of the week' to help children develop a love of reading. Children get to know the stories well and are deeply immersed when staff read to them.
• Staff have a deep understanding about what they want children to learn and the most effective way to teach this. Teaching is outstanding, as staff engage playfully, follow children's interests and make the most of all learning opportunities. Staff build train tracks with children to look at length and offer children opportunities to sound out and write letters that are in their names.
• Staff plan and provide a vast range of interesting learning experiences based on children's interests and needs. Children play with play dough, create aliens, explore sensory materials and are challenged outside to develop their physical skills. Staff carefully plan and provide an outside environment that is safe and stimulating. They actively engage children to solve problems and successfully direct their play so that it is always purposeful.
• There is a keen awareness of safety within the setting. Staff carry out robust risk assessments, taking swift action to rectify issues. Leaders are astutely aware of local needs, and they work closely with the owners of the community centre to ensure that children and families are kept safe.
• The setting is a hub within the community. It provides outreach services to local families to make sure that children's health and well-being are wholly supported. Within the setting, staff teach children about healthy eating, brushing their teeth and keeping safe when in the car. The setting works closely with parents to ensure that children are provided with a wide range of healthy food and drink, both within the setting and at home.
• Parents are very happy with the care and education their children receive. They warmly praise the communication and support they are given. Staff help them to access services and support, inside and outside of the setting. Parents of children with SEND comment on the personal approach their child receives to help them settle in and make rapid progress.
• Leaders provide inspiring support for staff. There is a strong focus on staff well-being, which helps staff to feel valued. They comment on how supported they are in the setting. Leaders thoroughly understand the strengths of the team and support the professional development of staff through carefully planned and implemented supervisions and training. Leaders have a deep insight into the needs of the community and are always planning to help meet these needs. They continually strive to develop and improve the provision; for example, further developing the sensory room to benefit children with SEND.