Little Stars, Mother & Baby Unit

Care for children whose mothers live within HMP Bronzefield's Mother and Baby Unit gives Little Stars a specific purpose. This is provision for families within the unit, with capacity for 12 children, rather than a general neighbourhood nursery.

At its 7 April 2025 inspection, Ofsted recorded that requirements were met, but assessed no quality grade because no early years children were present. The findings concerned staff discussions, documentation and the premises, rather than observed care or children's progress.

In April 2025, staff planned to use children's interests and development to shape activities, with observations and assessments informing what came next. The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the intended approach was to connect activities with each child's needs.

An extensive garden provided the physical setting for planned daily outdoor play in April 2025. Staff intended to use it to encourage movement and social interaction. These were plans for children's experiences, rather than activities observed with children taking part.

At the April 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that the manager understood safeguarding responsibilities and how to identify and support SEND, including seeking help from additional services. This finding concerned knowledge and preparation, rather than demonstrated outcomes for children.

In April 2025, the intended settling process began with detailed information from parents before children started. Staff also planned to keep parents informed about learning, helping connect care within the nursery with family knowledge of the child.

Health and behaviour were part of those April 2025 plans. Handwashing before meals and attention to oral hygiene would introduce everyday health routines, while gentle guidance and adults modelling positive behaviour would help children understand emotions and expectations.

The address is HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, TW15 3JZ. The provision serves young children of mothers living within the Mother and Baby Unit.

In April 2025, opening hours were 8.30am to midday and 1.30pm to 5pm, Monday to Thursday. A Thursday stay-and-play session ran from 3pm to 4pm, providing a separate opportunity for shared play.

• Who the provision serves. Care is for children of mothers within the Mother and Baby Unit. That purpose determines which families this review is relevant to.
• Meaning of the outcome. Requirements were met in April 2025, but no early years children were present for an assessment of care in action. The outcome should be read on that basis.
• Planning a start. What attendance arrangements and settling steps would apply to your child within the unit?

Little Stars suits mothers within the unit seeking morning or afternoon childcare connected to their children's individual development and family circumstances, with both opening periods recorded in April 2025. The April 2025 assessment supports staff preparedness, with plans for outdoor play, parent communication and everyday health routines. It does not establish how those plans work with children in practice.