Little Stars, Leicester

Family photographs, conversations and small steps towards independence give Little Stars, Leicester its character in the December 2024 account of nursery life. The setting has capacity for 30 children, with a current age range of 1 to 60 months.

At its 20 December 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and described effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The practical reservations concerned outdoor learning and how fully staff carried out planned activities.

In December 2024, language learning ran through ordinary play: staff supplied short phrases as younger children used soft play shapes and rolled balls down a ramp. Older children worked out which envelopes would fit their cards, giving them a concrete problem to solve rather than an answer to copy.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care; here, its everyday expression included conversation, stories, physical play and growing independence. During December 2024, younger children discussed pictures in books, while older children supplied missing endings to familiar sentences. Those different approaches gave children ways to participate at their own stage.

The garden offered ride-on toys and balls in December 2024, but its activities concentrated on physical development. Broader learning outdoors needed attention. Planned work on feelings also lacked enough adult guidance to achieve its purpose: an activity being offered did not always mean its intended learning followed.

At the December 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff used individual targets and referrals to other professionals to support children with additional needs. One practical example was showing a child a nappy before a change, making the next step in the routine easier to understand.

In December 2024, staff used family photographs to prompt conversations about familiar people. Parents received information about care, activities and development, alongside suggestions for stories and songs at home. This connected nursery experiences with family life.

Independence had practical expression that December: children practised putting on coats and shoes, and older children selected vegetables, helped themselves at lunch and took their plates to the table. Staff encouraged waiting for handwashing; star of the day, a reward involving stickers and a certificate, recognised older children's positive behaviour. Staff development included simplifying questions and allowing children time to answer.

The address is 33 Lutterworth Road, Aylestone, Leicester, LE2 8PH. Opening hours are 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with bank holidays and one week at Christmas closed.

In December 2024, session times ran from 7.45am to 6pm, and the nursery provided funded early education from nine months of age. These are dated details of attendance and funding at that visit.

• Outdoor learning. December 2024 activities in the garden supported physical skills more than other learning. On a visit, ask how outdoor activities now extend children's language, imagination and exploration.
• Activities with a purpose. In December 2024, work on emotions did not receive enough staff support. Ask how practitioners help children understand feelings during planned activities.
• Attendance and funding. The December 2024 account included funded education from nine months and daytime sessions. Before joining, request a written quotation covering the attendance pattern, funded hours and any additional charges.

Little Stars suits families seeking year-round weekday care who value practical independence and language woven into play. Its December 2024 examples are concrete: solving an envelope problem, joining stories and serving lunch. The two priorities for a visit are equally clear: broader outdoor learning and staff follow-through during planned activities.