Shining Stars

Tomatoes, beetroot and library visits gave Shining Stars' September 2024 inspection picture a character beyond its village-hall address. This Hatfield Peverel nursery combines care for children from birth to five with an emphasis on individual interests, everyday independence and communication with families. With capacity for 22 children, its whole-setting size is a useful starting point for parents who prefer a smaller nursery.

At its September 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged Shining Stars Good overall, found safeguarding effective and recognised good progress for children, including those needing additional support. Two practical weaknesses also matter: learning did not consistently stretch the most able children, and babies sometimes lost engagement while staff managed changes between care routines. Both deserve attention alongside the positive judgement.

Full-day care, shorter sessions and flexible hours form part of the attendance offer, with funded hours usable during term time or across the year.

Rooms and Ages

Children from birth to five are welcome. Shooting stars has practitioners working on children's next steps and preparation for school, while twinkle twinkle room emphasises independence, confidence and willingness to try. Those are useful differences in emphasis: one centres on building towards the next stage, the other on encouraging children to attempt things themselves.

The 22 places describe the nursery as a whole. They should not be read as the number of children sharing a room or taking part in an activity together.

Learning and Activities

EYFS provides the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, play and activities shaped around individual interests help turn it into the nursery day. Practitioners set next steps for children, and learning updates are shared through an online platform, giving parents a way to follow what their child is working towards.

In September 2024, seasonal themes widened children's understanding of their surroundings. A train-track activity showed how staff could extend play through conversation and extra resources: children kept trying different pieces while adults helped them think through the problem. This is a concrete example of learning through an activity children had chosen, rather than abandoning their interest for an unrelated task.

The limitation was consistency. In September 2024, activities did not always take children who already knew more far enough beyond their existing understanding. For a child who quickly masters a task, the next challenge matters as much as the initial invitation to play.

Outdoor and Community Life

In September 2024, children spent time exercising outside and growing vegetables, proudly explaining their tomatoes and beetroot. Growing something gives children a tangible subject to talk about, connecting outdoor activity with language and curiosity.

Regular library visits also featured in September 2024. These brought experiences beyond the nursery into children's learning, adding a community setting to their familiar surroundings. The frequency was regular, rather than a fixed weekly timetable.

Relationships and Communication

In September 2024, key persons spent time learning about children and their families before attendance began. Babies' own routines were followed, familiar comforters were welcomed and tired children received physical comfort and reassurance. This made the key-person relationship practical: staff knew the routines and familiar objects that helped an individual child settle.

Parents can follow learning and development through the online platform. Photographs are shared there with prior parental permission and a private login. That gives families a view of activities as well as information about development, while keeping consent part of the arrangement.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

A SEND Specialist role sits within the deputy management team, with experience supporting children who need additional help. School preparation is part of that role, while practitioners also plan individual next steps. For families seeking additional support, this provides a specific role to discuss rather than relying on a general promise of inclusion.

In September 2024, relationships with outside agencies supported early intervention, and links with other early years settings helped maintain continuity for children attending more than one provision. The latter matters where a child's week involves different adults and routines: sharing information can connect those experiences.

The baby environment needs a closer look. In September 2024, staff handling other tasks could not always keep babies involved as they moved towards sleep, meals or nappy changes. Happy, settled babies and this weakness were both part of the same picture; the concern was engagement during transitions.

A nursery cook prepares meals; breakfast is included for children attending before 8am, hot lunch and dinner carry separate charges, and parents may send a packed lunch. Snacks are provided during the day, and the allergy procedure uses parental forms, kitchen information and food-storage arrangements to reduce cross-contamination risks.

Sessions and Attendance

Shining Stars operates at Hatfield Peverel Village Hall, Maldon Road, Hatfield Peverel, CM3 2HP. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm on weekdays, with year-round operation apart from the week between Christmas and New Year.

The attendance options include an Am session from 7am to 9am, a Pm session from 3pm to 6pm, Day time from 9am to 3pm, and a full day from 7am to 6pm. Flexible hours around families' needs are also offered. The shorter early and late sessions make this a broader proposition than a single full-day booking.

Enquiries can be made by telephone, email or the contact form. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

Funding and Paid Extras

The nursery accepts the 15 and 30 hours FEEE childcare hours. Families can use them during term time or stretch them across the year if their child attends year-round. Tax Free Childcare and childcare voucher schemes are also accepted.

Food costs need to be considered alongside attendance: the included breakfast has an early-attendance condition, while hot lunch and dinner are charged separately. For children who need changing supplies, parents bring nappies, wet wipes, cream and spare clothing in a changing bag.

• Babies between routines. September 2024 identified reduced engagement around sleep, meals and nappy changes. On a visit, ask how the baby environment and staff organisation now support those transitions.
• Challenge beyond the first task. September 2024 identified inconsistent stretch for the most able children. Ask for an example of how an activity is extended once a child has mastered it.
• Food and allergies. Hot meals are charged separately, and allergy arrangements begin with information from parents. Families managing allergies should confirm current kitchen practice before agreeing their child's meal arrangements.

Shining Stars suits families considering full days, shorter early or late sessions, or flexible hours, with term-time and stretched funding options adding another practical choice. Its appeal lies in individual next steps and communication parents can follow online. In September 2024, staff also followed babies' personal routines. The September 2024 picture also contains useful substance: vegetable growing, library visits and sustained play, alongside specific weaknesses in challenge and babies' transitions. Those two points should shape a visit, especially for parents of babies or children ready for harder tasks.