A-Stars Early Education

Safari animals, garden painting and learning to put on wellingtons give A-Stars Early Education a practical, play-led character in its March 2023 account. At its 31 March 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good and found that children were progressing steadily.

Based in Pemberton, Wigan, the nursery accepts children from birth to five. It opens throughout the year, Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6pm.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday routines help children build communication, physical skills and independence.

In March 2023, safari animal play in the baby room encouraged language, while toddler room activities required children to work together. Preschool children shared a painting activity on a large piece of fabric outdoors. These examples show how activities were adapted to support communication and taking turns, rather than simply keeping children occupied.

Garden play that March included pouring with pots and jugs and riding bikes. Stories also extended outdoors through a bear-hunt activity, linking books with active play. Toddlers practised putting on their wellingtons, and older children served themselves at lunch, giving everyday routines a role in preparation for school.

At the March 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children's emotional needs well supported. During settling in that month, staff learnt children's routines and responded to their needs, helping relationships develop around familiar care.

Communication support in March 2023 included songs, rhymes and new vocabulary introduced through play. However, adults sometimes talked too much, leaving children insufficient time to absorb language and answer. The improvement priority was to give children more thinking and response time.

That March, children could drink fresh water throughout the day and ate nutritious meals; staff adapted their practice for children with allergies. Staff also shared toilet-training advice and ideas for learning at home with parents, connecting nursery routines with family life.

The address is Unit 2b Alpha Business Park, Leopold Street, Pemberton, WN5 8EG. Opening hours run from 7am to 6pm on weekdays, with year-round operation.

In March 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated funding position, rather than a promise of entitlement for an individual child.

• Time to respond. The March 2023 improvement priority concerned adults allowing children enough thinking time. On a visit, ask how practitioners now balance conversation with pauses for children's answers.
• Settling around routines. In March 2023, staff used settling periods to learn children's routines. Ask how your child's sleep and care routines would shape their introduction.
• Funding and the booking pattern. The nursery opens year-round, and funded provision was recorded in March 2023. What attendance pattern and funded entitlement would apply to your child, and how would meals and consumables be treated?

A-Stars merits consideration from families seeking year-round weekday care and an emphasis on practical independence. Its March 2023 examples connect language, cooperation and outdoor play with ordinary routines. The Good judgement provides a dated quality reference; giving children enough time to respond remains the specific teaching point to explore.