The Oxford Nursery Eynsham

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD Telephone: 0300 123 1231 Fax: 0300 123 3159 Minicom: 0161 618 8524 Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk Web: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The Oxford Nursery Eynsham 49 Witney Road Eynsham Witney Oxfordshire OX29 4PL Our Reference 403347

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Monitoring for provision judged as inadequate

An Ofsted inspector, Rosemary Davies, monitored your provision on 08/07/2014 following your inspection where the provision was judged to be inadequate.

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Outcome of monitoring

As a result of our inspection on 09/04/2014, we sent you a notice to improve. If you were set actions at the inspection, or as a result of our subsequent monitoring or investigations, these are included at the end of this letter unless we have already verified that they have been completed.

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Outcome of monitoring

During the monitoring visit, the inspector held a discussion with you about the steps you have taken to address actions raised in the notice to improve. The inspector held further discussions with each of the following persons: the operations manager of your company, the nursery's acting manager and a manager from another of your nurseries. She scrutinised your action plan, record of risk assessment and associated daily check lists, children's assessment records, planning documentation, records of visits from the local authority advisor, and documents relating to checks undertaken through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The inspector talked with a representative of the local authority by telephone. She talked with staff working in the nursery, including the acting deputy manager, and with children. The inspector talked with a parent, and read letters from parents. The inspector observed children

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Outcome of monitoring

at play indoors and outdoors, and staff interaction with them. She observed staff undertaking children's personal care procedures

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you acted promptly to address the issue of all staff needing suitability checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service. All such required checks are now in place. The representative from the local authority stated that you acted promptly to address this issue yourself. Staff spoken to have a clear understanding that no unchecked member of staff is left alone with children. This prompt response indicates a positive attitude towards improvement.

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Outcome of monitoring

The local authority representative states that you acted promptly to dispense with the unsafe outdoor play equipment that was seen in use at the last inspection. The inspector observed children playing with suitable equipment indoors and out, that was safe for their use. Staff report that unsafe equipment has been disposed of and new items purchased. These include child-sized hurdles and hoopla that children say they enjoy using in obstacle races.

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Outcome of monitoring

The local authority representative has encouraged a review of the risk assessment process. For example, the nearby public play area, that children visit as part of nursery activities, is now included in the risk assessment process. Other improvements have been made, including some recommended by the local authority representative. Changes made include a deep clean of the nursery, new laminate flooring in one of the rooms used by children, while new carpeting and cot sheets have been ordered. These changes indicate a positive attitude to improvement.

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Outcome of monitoring

Your nursery staff now have a better understanding of how to promote children's learning in the important area of their communication and language. The acting manager arranged specific discussions of this area during staff meetings, which staff report they found helpful. The inspector observed staff interacting well with children in regard to their communication and language, such as when encouraging them to 'search for treasure' and discuss what they might eat for snack. These activities helped children to use words such as 'sequin', and to talk in front of a group. This showed some of the varied teaching techniques staff used to promote children's communication and language skills. Your staff were seen to read stories to children individually, which helps those learning English as an additional language. Planning documents indicate that this area of learning is given due importance. The inspector

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Outcome of monitoring

heard children using language appropriate to that expected for their ages. Children, with a parent who does not speak English as a first language, were heard to understand and speak English clearly, appropriate for their ages. For example, one child explained to the inspector precisely how to use the water dispenser to obtain a drink.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have questioned the need to change the observation and assessment system. The initial two visits from the local authority representative have concentrated on ensuring that all safeguarding and welfare requirements are met. You and your operations manager have had some discussions with the local authority representative about the reasons behind the need to make changes to the observation and assessment system with the aim of making sure these are thoroughly understood. The representative of the local authority has recommendations for specific training in this area for the nursery staff. You have taken prompt action to help the nursery's acting manager extend her skills and understanding in regard to evaluating the nursery provision. You have deployed an experienced manager from one of your other nurseries to provide one-to-one support for the acting manager here in completing the Ofsted self-evaluation form,

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Outcome of monitoring

which you wish to have updated. The local authority advisor states that she believes the actions and changes made and planned are sustainable.

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Outcome of monitoring

Having considered all the evidence, the inspector is of the opinion that the setting has taken prompt and effective action to address the points for improvement.

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Next steps

The next step will be a full inspection.

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Next steps

I hope that you have found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your setting. If you have any further queries please contact us on the number at the top of this letter.

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Next steps

Nick Hudson National Director, Early Education

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that the Disclosure and Barring Service guidance on portability is followed to ensure that any adult who works with children is suitable; including obtaining a new Disclosure and Barring Service check where necessary 25/05/2014 03/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that any person who is not checked are not left alone with children 10/04/2014 03/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure risk assessments are effective and identifies and reduces hazards, especially in the outdoor area 10/04/2014 03/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve the programmes for communication and language and the monitoring of progression, particularly with regard to children for whom English is an additional language 25/05/2014 03/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve observations and planning by including children's starting points, their individual interests and consistently recording their progress 25/05/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

develop systems to identify areas for strengths and improvements which will improve the quality of care for all children 25/05/2015

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure the children receiving childcare are kept safe from harm (compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 10/04/2014 03/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure the children receiving childcare are kept safe from harm (voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 10/04/2014 03/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that the premises and equipment used for the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable for that childcare (compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 10/04/2014 03/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that the premises and equipment used for the purposes of the childcare are 10/04/2014 03/07/2014 safe and suitable for that childcare (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)

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