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Smartys Little Stars Nursery in Walton, Stone

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Jul 2023)
·
5.0(2 parent reviews) ·Pirehill First School, Tilling Drive, Walton, Stone, ST15 0AA · Staffordshire
Number of places
32 places
Age range
3–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2023
Local authority
Staffordshire

About this day nursery

Smartys Day Nursery, operating under the registration EY478854 for its Little Stars Nursery in Walton, Stone, is dedicated to providing high-quality childcare and early years education. The nursery prides itself on a strong and expert team, with a high staff retention rate over a three-year period, ensuring childcare stability and consistency.

Many team members hold advanced qualifications, including Early Years Teacher Status and degrees in Early Years, and the nursery benefits from specialist provision such as a qualified Forest School Teacher, Music Teacher, and experienced SENCo support. Smartys offers a nutritious food provision service, catering to diverse dietary requirements while maintaining strict food safety standards.

While they strongly recommend children partake in their provided meals, they also accommodate packed lunches with specific guidelines to ensure safety, particularly regarding allergens. The nursery also facilitates government funding schemes, including various 15- and 30-hour entitlements and Tax-Free Childcare, assisting parents in navigating these options to make childcare more accessible.

What it's like

On arrival, children are greeted by an inspirational team of staff with huge smiles and an abundance of enthusiasm. Children confidently find their own pegs and hang up their belongings. They rush through the door to greet their friends and quickly engage in their enriching learning environment. Children flourish in this highly engaging setting.

High staff retentionQualified educatorsNutritional focusFlexible funding

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured by daily and school day sessions, categorised into age bands of 0-3 years and 3-5 years. Discounted daily rates are offered for bookings of 3 or more days per week. Fully funded sessions incur additional meal supplement charges depending on the length of the session.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Fees apply to the financial year running from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
  • Meal supplements apply only to fully funded days, not as an addition to standard rates.
  • Funded full day supplement includes breakfast, morning/afternoon snacks, lunch with dessert, and light evening tea.
  • Funded school day supplement includes morning/afternoon snacks and lunch with dessert.

Key facts

Opening hours

Pre-school: Monday to Friday, 7.30am until 6pm. Before- and after-school: 7.30am until 9am, and 3.30pm until 6pm. Holiday playscheme: 7.30am until 6pm during school holidays.

Term time / All Year

Mixed

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Smartys Little Stars Nursery

Last inspected 10 July 2023

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding

What it's like to attend

On arrival, children are greeted by an inspirational team of staff with huge smiles and an abundance of enthusiasm. Children confidently find their own pegs and hang up their belongings. They rush through the door to greet their friends and quickly engage in their enriching learning environment. Children flourish in this highly engaging setting.

Inspector highlights

  • The setting has created a broad, ambitious and sequenced curriculum.
  • Staff create a language-rich environment, enabling children to develop excellent communication skills.
  • Staff have established healthy routines with lots of opportunities for physical activity.
  • Processes to support children's transitions are extremely robust.
  • Staff strongly promote inclusion throughout the setting.
Inspection #10289555 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Effective communication with parents ensures that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get the help and support that they need. As a result, children with SEND make exceptional progress from their starting points. The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND.

Outdoor space

Children learn positional language as they pretend to be pirates and use their telescopes to search 'under' and 'over' outdoor objects. Staff are committed to keeping children safe in the sun and consider the daily ultraviolet levels when considering how much time to spend outdoors.

Parent Reviews of Smartys Little Stars Nursery

5.0
(2)
Jade Liebenberg
4 years ago

Words can't explain how we love this school! We moved from the area to cannock and if it weren't for the 3 and a half hours of driving a day to get them there then I have no doubt my kids would stay there as long as possible. The staff is amazingly helpful and kind and have such a love for my little one. I couldn't recommend them more!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Smartys Little Stars Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: February 2005

  • August 2023Outstanding
  • July 2023Outstanding
  • December 2017Good
  • November 2017Good
  • August 2014Good
  • July 2014Good
  • August 2009Good
  • July 2009Good
  • February 2005Requires improvement

Frequently asked about Smartys Little Stars Nursery

About the setting

Smartys School Club registered in 1998. The club employs 12 members of childcare staff, with one holding a level 4 qualification and nine holding level 3 qualifications. The club provides a pre-school, a before- and after-school provision and a holiday playscheme. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, 7.30am until 6pm and provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. The before- and after-school provision operates from 7.30am until 9am, and from 3.30pm until 6pm. The holiday playscheme is open from 7.30am until 6pm during school holidays.

URN
218364
Registered person
Smarty's Day Nursery (Stone) Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Good

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more