Little Stars Childcare Leek First

Two named rooms, local walks and a preschool setting within Leek First School give Little Stars Childcare Leek First a clear identity. The rising Stars takes children aged two to three, while Shooting Stars serves those aged three to four. There are 24 places in total, a whole-nursery capacity rather than a measure of either room’s size.

At its February 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and recognised the special educational needs coordinator’s work with families, staff and other agencies to organise individual support. The learning observations give useful detail beneath that judgement: counting, books, imaginative play and physical activity all featured, alongside two specific weaknesses in conversation opportunities and the organisation of larger group activities.

Care runs during term time, with weekday opening hours extending from 7.30am to 6pm. That calendar matters as much as the length of the opening day.

Rooms and Ages

The rising Stars is the toddler room for two- to three-year-olds; Shooting Stars is the preschool room for children aged three to four. The division gives families a clear picture of the nursery’s age stages. These are room age bands, not promises about group size or the number of children attending together.

An outdoor play area is used at different points during the day. Local walks add experiences beyond the nursery, while adult-guided activities sit alongside play chosen by children. The combination means the day includes both planned learning and opportunities to follow a child’s interests.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children’s learning, development and care, bringing play, communication and growing independence into the nursery day. Alongside it, Birth to Five matters guides learning towards age-appropriate stages of development. Birth to Five matters complements the early years foundation stage, the statutory framework against which Ofsted inspects the nursery.

In February 2024, staff used children’s interests and their next learning steps to shape activities. Sand and water gave children materials to explore, while counting and recognising numbers brought mathematics into play. Role play supported imagination, and resources introduced children to technology. These examples make the curriculum tangible: learning happened through practical experiences as well as adult discussion.

Books also had a clear place in the day. In February 2024, children selected books and listened to stories, with older children recognising information such as an author’s name and a book’s title. Teaching included skills needed for later reading and writing, giving school preparation a concrete purpose beyond simply making the day more formal.

The weaknesses deserve equal attention. During some adult-led activities in February 2024, children had too little opportunity for sustained conversation and more developed language. Some larger group activities also left children restless because they could not all contribute. The distinction matters: having songs, stories and activities is only part of the picture; children also need time to speak and participate.

Relationships and Communication

In February 2024, staff responded to children needing reassurance with comfort and close attention. Children formed relationships with their key person, and families received regular updates about learning, including ideas for activities at home. That connection gave parents something practical to use beyond a general account of the day.

Behaviour was supported through gentle prompts and consistent expectations in February 2024. Children practised cooperating with routines, listening and considering other people. These everyday exchanges helped turn sharing a room into learning how to manage relationships.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

The support arrangements observed in February 2024 included individual plans, reviews of targets and advice for practitioners from the special educational needs coordinator. Parents and outside agencies were involved, and additional funding paid for resources and experiences. For a family considering support needs, the useful detail is the mechanism: concerns led to plans and review rather than stopping at a broad statement about inclusion.

Physical activity took several forms in February 2024, including ride-on vehicles, a slide and dancing. Play dough and cutting paper gave children practice with smaller hand movements too. The balance included energetic movement and activities requiring more careful control.

Meals are prepared at a sister setting and delivered to Leek. Funded places include freshly prepared meals and a rolling continental breakfast, so food forms part of that funded offer.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Leek First School, East Street, Leek, ST13 6LF. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. These are opening hours; they should not be read as a requirement for a child to attend the entire day.

The nursery offers flexibility for families. An online enquiry form includes a Leek option, and visits can be arranged through the enquiry route. The term-time calendar is the decisive practical consideration for parents whose work continues through school holidays.

Funding and Paid Extras

Leek First offers 30 Hours Funded Childcare, Think2 Funding and 15 Universal Hours on a term-time basis. Funded places include breakfast and freshly prepared meals. Participation in those schemes does not establish an individual family’s eligibility or guarantee a funded place.

Moving on to School

Being based at Leek First School does not guarantee a Reception place. The nursery’s school-preparation work and its school-site address are separate from the decision about admission.

• Term-time calendar. Care operates during term time only, despite the extended weekday opening window. Families needing childcare through school holidays should weigh that calendar carefully.
• Conversation and group activities. In February 2024, some adult-led activities restricted children’s opportunities to develop conversation, and larger groups left some children restless. During a visit, ask how group activities now give each child time to contribute.
• Your attendance and costs. The opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm and funded places include meals and breakfast. Ask for one written quotation covering your intended attendance, additional private hours and any non-food consumables.

Little Stars Childcare Leek First suits families seeking term-time care from age two through the preschool years, with separate toddler and preschool rooms, outdoor play and local walks. Its extended opening window may be useful where a school-length day would be too short.

The February 2024 picture combines close relationships, practical learning and organised individual support with specific teaching improvements to address. The choice turns on both sides of that picture: how children are helped to join conversations and group learning, and whether the term-time calendar fits family life.