Little Stars Daycare

Song choices for babies, dough-cutting practice and home learning packs give Little Stars Daycare a recognisable character in its March 2024 snapshot. In March 2024, it operated from a separate building on the Star Primary School site in Newham. It has capacity for 24 children.

At its March 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, progressed well. Children attending then were aged 0 to 3; that is the age range for the inspection period.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, the March 2024 examples included learning through songs, practical play and everyday routines. Babies selected songs using illustrated cards, giving them a way to express their song preferences.

During March 2024, cutting dough with scissors combined hand control with vocabulary, while staff introduced mathematical ideas through filling, emptying and pouring. These were ordinary activities with a learning purpose. Children used both indoor space and the garden, and adults helped them practise taking turns.

In March 2024, staff comforted unsettled children and shared stories with them. They monitored development, sought early help when gaps emerged and worked with parents on individual care plans. This connected support at nursery with the child's needs at home.

Home learning packs could stay with families for as long as they needed them in March 2024, making shared activities less dependent on a quick return deadline. Independence also featured in daily care: older children served food and poured drinks, and children practised toothbrushing after lunch. Staff could draw on support from primary school colleagues.

There were two practical weaknesses alongside those strengths. At the March 2024 inspection, Ofsted identified occasions when staff positioning left learning insufficiently supported and younger children waited too long for lunch, becoming unsettled when tired.

The address is Star Primary School, Hilda Road, London E16 4NH. In March 2024, opening hours were 7.15am to 5.45pm on weekdays during term time. This was an opening window rather than a description of individual booked sessions.

In March 2024, the nursery received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. That dated participation should be kept separate from any assumption about a family's entitlement.

Sharing the Star Primary School site does not guarantee a Reception place. Families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Learning support and lunch. Staff deployment and younger children's lunchtime waits were the March 2024 improvement points. At a visit, how are adults positioned during play and how are younger children's meals organised now?
• Term-time planning. The March 2024 operating pattern followed school terms. Families needing care through holidays should weigh that pattern against their working calendar.
• Reception admission. In March 2024, the nursery occupied a separate building on the Star Primary School site, but nursery attendance does not secure admission. Treat the school application as a separate decision.

Little Stars Daycare's March 2024 picture suits families drawn to practical play, supported independence and learning carried home through activity packs. Its term-time operating pattern matters just as much as those daily experiences. The balanced judgement is Good, with adult deployment and lunchtime organisation the specific points to weigh.