Little Stars Day Nursery

In April 2022, sensory play for babies and letters from a sponsored child in Tanzania featured in children's experiences at Little Stars Day Nursery in Hartlepool. At its April 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective, with responsive care and carefully planned learning among its strengths.

The nursery has capacity for 15 children, with an age range of 2 to 59 months. Its base is Kilmarnock Road Resource Centre, within the Community Resource Centre.

In April 2022, babies explored oats and pasta alongside toy animals and diggers, combining textures with opportunities to practise sounds. Preschool children experimented with water flowing through drainpipes. These were practical experiences that gave children something concrete to investigate and discuss.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the April 2022 examples included colour-matching games and learning through outdoor play: children searched for objects of a particular colour and practised taking turns on bicycles and a slide.

During that same period, children tended plants and small creatures, made regular community visits and received letters from a sponsored child in Tanzania. Early Years Professional Development Programme training supported staff's work on communication and language; reading displays and a daily word helped direct attention to vocabulary.

Mathematics needed more deliberate teaching in April 2022. Resources were accessible, but staff did not consistently extend children's mathematical understanding or identify what to teach next. This matters especially for older children preparing for their next stage of learning.

At the April 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that babies' routines reflected parents' wishes and that links with external agencies supported children with additional needs. These findings describe care at that time.

In April 2022, preschool children practised managing their own coats, toileting, handwashing and drinks. Staff also worked with teachers and parents on the move to school, connecting everyday independence with preparation for that change.

Children ate home-cooked food in April 2022. Support for individual dietary requirements was also described at that time.

The address is Kilmarnock Road Resource Centre, Community Resource Centre, 44 Kilmarnock Road, Hartlepool, TS25 3NU. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

In April 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. That dated provision should be distinguished from a family's current funding and attendance arrangements.

• Older children's mathematics. In April 2022, teaching did not make enough use of opportunities to extend mathematical learning. On a visit, ask how staff now plan the next steps for older children.
• Attendance and funding. The opening window runs across the working day, while funded provision was recorded in April 2022. Ask for one written outline covering your intended booking pattern, current funding arrangements and charges for food and consumables.

Little Stars suits families seeking a small nursery with year-round weekday opening. The April 2022 picture combines sensory exploration, outdoor activity and preparation for greater independence. For parents of older children, the mathematics development point deserves a direct conversation before choosing.