Little Stars Preschool

Outdoor discovery gave Little Stars Preschool much of its character at the July 2021 inspection, when Ofsted rated it Good overall. Snail investigations, a beach hut and an ice cream parlour brought children's interests into their learning, with opportunities to explore, talk and find out more.

Based at 96 Nangreave Road, Stockport, SK2 6DQ, the preschool has capacity for 30 children. In July 2021, the children attending were aged two to four. That dated picture gives families a useful starting point for understanding its approach.

In July 2021, the early years foundation stage took practical form through investigation, conversation and physical play. Children examined snails with magnifying glasses, discussed what they might eat and consulted books. An outdoor discovery became an opportunity to develop questions and seek answers.

The beach hut and ice cream parlour grew from children's interest in the beach. In July 2021, they made pretend ice creams, discussed shells and explored how sand felt. These linked experiences gave children concrete things to describe and ideas to develop through play.

Physical activity also featured in July 2021: low apparatus supported balancing and climbing, while football, scooters and tricycles offered opportunities to persist with a challenge. Children discussed friendship and learned about different religions, cultures and family structures, including families with two dads.

At its July 2021 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, the key-person arrangements successful in helping children settle, and SEND support a strength, with carefully targeted intervention helping children make good progress towards school.

In July 2021, staff spent time getting to know children during settling, and yoga was one activity used to support emotional wellbeing. Intervention plans were reviewed regularly, allowing support to respond to gaps in learning.

Partnerships needed greater consistency in July 2021. Information was sometimes shared unevenly with parents and other settings children attended, making coordination of their learning an important consideration for families using more than one provider.

In July 2021, opening hours were 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Those hours describe the operation at that date.

Funded early education for children aged two, three and four was also provided in July 2021. For families, the combination of term-time attendance and daytime opening was a central practical consideration.

• Communication across settings. In July 2021, stronger links with parents and other childcare settings were an improvement priority. Consistent information sharing matters when a child divides attendance between providers.
• Feedback for staff. In July 2021, leaders needed to make their monitoring and feedback more precise. This was the identified next step for developing teaching practice.
• Attendance planning. The July 2021 opening pattern was confined to term time. At a visit, how would the current attendance arrangements and funded provision fit your family's week?

Little Stars Preschool will interest families drawn to the July 2021 picture of learning through outdoor investigation, imaginative play and close key-person relationships. The beach hut and snail explorations give that picture substance. Families should weigh those strengths alongside the dated term-time operating pattern and the need identified in July 2021 for more consistent partnership working.