Little Stars Nursery

Park games, friendships and growing independence give Little Stars Nursery its clearest character. At its June 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall. The strongest detail is practical: children played together outdoors and older children worked on the everyday skills needed for starting school.

Based at 2a Boundary Road, London, E17 8JU, the nursery has capacity for 35 children aged one to 60 months. That current age range extends below the two-to-four-year-olds attending in June 2022, so the inspection account needs to be read in that context.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: education and everyday care belong together, rather than being separate parts of the day.

In June 2022, younger children explored their senses, while older children practised independence and looking after themselves. Regular walks to a local park brought space for running and hide-and-seek. Road crossings also became opportunities to practise caution, with children reminding one another to look before crossing.

There was a clear limitation alongside those experiences. In June 2022, staff sometimes praised children's play without developing the conversation about what they were discovering or doing. More sustained exchanges would give children additional practice expressing ideas, rather than leaving praise as the end of the interaction.

At the June 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, positive relationships through the key-person system and support for children with SEND through individual attention and collaboration with families and external professionals.

In June 2022, children moved between rooms alongside friends, giving them familiar company during the change. Staff used observations to plan learning, and the manager maintained regular communication with parents. These were concrete ways of connecting children's experiences across home and nursery.

Healthy meals were provided in June 2022, but staff missed opportunities to explain hygiene, including why handwashing matters. The improvement needed was about helping children understand healthy habits, rather than simply carrying out a routine.

The address is 2a Boundary Road, London, E17 8JU. Opening hours are 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year, with bank holiday closures.

In June 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise about a child's present entitlement or attendance arrangement.

• Younger children. The current age range includes children below the ages attending in June 2022. For a child under two, what would their room, daily routine and settling arrangements be?
• Conversation during play. Extending communication and language was a June 2022 improvement priority. A visit is an opportunity to discuss how practitioners now build conversations around children's interests.
• Healthy habits. The June 2022 concern involved explaining hygiene and healthy living. Discuss how handwashing and other care routines become learning opportunities.

Little Stars merits consideration for families seeking year-round weekday opening and a nursery whose June 2022 account included park outings, friendships and preparation for school. The Good judgement provides a dated assessment, with clear questions about language development and healthy habits. For families with younger children, the broader current age range makes the everyday care arrangements an especially important part of the decision.