North Stars Nursery

North Stars Nursery is a sessional day-care setting in Kingsbury with 35 places in total. Its full Ofsted inspection on 6 March 2024 judged it Good across all four assessed areas. The clearest picture is of a friendly setting where children settle quickly, know the adults around them and remain absorbed in purposeful play.

The curriculum was ambitious and shaped around children's interests and next steps. It reflected the Early Years Foundation Stage, the statutory framework that develops young children's communication, physical, personal and academic foundations through guided learning and play. Staff built language, creativity, problem-solving, fine-motor control and early mathematics: children constructed train tracks, made jewellery boxes from recycled materials and measured plants with tapes each week. That gives learning a concrete, exploratory character rather than reducing it to formal exercises.

Outdoor provision was a particular feature. Children used a spacious garden, made mud buns in an outdoor kitchen and could retreat to a calm-down corner to talk about feelings. Staff created a language-rich environment and questioned children as they played. These are useful signs of adults extending an activity without taking it over.

Children formed strong bonds with staff and settled promptly. When a child felt overwhelmed, staff could use a quieter room for focused small-group activity. Ofsted found in March 2024 that children with SEND made good progress and safeguarding arrangements were effective.

Parent partnership was another strength. Staff communicated effectively, sent reading books home and ran workshops so families could continue learning beyond the setting. Behaviour support was calm and explanatory: adults helped children recognise feelings, consider consequences and resolve difficulties.

There was one clear improvement point. Staff needed to help older children take more ownership of toileting routines.

The setting is at 73 North Way, Kingsbury, London NW9 0RA. It operates as sessional day care. Current session times, booking patterns, accepted ages and room structure should all be checked together when enquiring.

The same enquiry should cover funding participation, meals, consumables and charges, supported by a nursery-specific written quotation and a clear breakdown of what parents provide or pay for separately.

• Self-care practice: Ask how the team has addressed the March 2024 point about consistently promoting toilet-related independence for older children.
• Attendance and costs: Confirm the current session choices, minimum booking pattern, funded-entitlement arrangements, meals, consumables and notice terms before comparing the setting with alternatives.

North Stars Nursery's 2024 inspection depicts engaged children, strong relationships and thoughtful learning through ordinary play, with the spacious garden adding real breadth. It may suit families seeking sessional care with a language-rich, practical approach, provided the nursery's current session patterns and age coverage match their needs. The self-care improvement point is specific and worth discussing rather than overlooking.