The ‘lively and purposeful’ nursery where tots learn ‘purposeful conversation’ and ‘independence’

A ‘lively and purposeful’ nursery in Oldham has achieved a ‘good’ rating after a year-long battle to improve.

Shooting Stars Preschool on Lees Road was praised by government watchdog Ofsted for its ‘unmistakable commitment and ambition’ to get better.

The pre-school, which caters for just under 70 kids from the age of three months, has come a long way since being handed an ‘inadequate’ rating at the beginning of 2023.

Inspector Susan King described how children were ‘eager to enter the busy nursery’ where ‘friendly staff help them to feel safe’.

She noted children’s ‘deep involvement in self-chosen activities, supported by knowledgeable staff’.

The nursery received a ‘good’ rating in all categories of the inspection.

The report highlighted how all children, including those with disabilities, made good progress in their learning.

It also called the support given to kids who don’t speak English as their first language “a strength” with ‘playful’ vocabulary learning games used in the classroom.

King was also impressed with the level of independence taught to the tots from a young age, with the cohort taken on ‘regular visits to the shops’.

She wrote: “Staff talk with children about what they will buy.

"This stimulates purposeful conversation. Children learn how to shop.

"This helps to promote their independence.

"Children’s effort is rewarded when they prepare and eat the strawberries that they went to buy.”

Though the report was overwhelmingly positive, the inspector noted the nursery had failed a ‘legal requirement’ by not notifying Ofsted of a change of director but stated there was “no impact” on children’s welfare.

The nursery opened in 2021 and faced challenges at its first inspections.

A first inspection in April 2023 found that ‘vulnerable kids were disadvantaged’ and little ones were left ‘upset and confused’ because of ‘inappropriate behaviour management strategies’ by staff.

But after a year of improvements, the director of Shooting Stars says she’s ‘delighted’ by the new rating.

Nabila Kamran said: “I am extremely proud and overjoyed about achieving the ‘Good’ rating.

“This is a reflection of the passion and dedication of our team members that bring nurturing and educational aspects to the forefront of every child in our care.

"We will continue to build on this success and strive for excellence in all that we do.”

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