St Thomas's Day Nursery

St Thomas's Day Nursery 40 St. Thomas Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 1JP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 February 2015 8 March 2011

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 Children have close emotional bonds with the staff due to the exceptionally well- developed key-person system. This means staff have extremely close relationships with the children and their families.  Staff support and develop children's language exceptionally well. They use a variety of techniques, such as, signing, questioning and introducing ambitious vocabulary with children. All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make excellent progress.  Leadership of the nursery is inspirational. The manager shows an uncompromising desire to support and develop the staff. They are continually improving their skills and knowledge. This has a direct impact on the quality of care and education for the children.  Staff complete outstanding assessment records on children. Regular detailed information from parents, as well as detailed observations from staff, lead to clear and

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This provision is outstanding

accurate records of children's progress. This allows for gaps in learning for individuals and groups to be quickly identified and addressed.  The nursery is safe, welcoming and well equipped. Children enjoy a rich and varied learning environment that challenges them and focuses their learning.  Regular outings and active involvement in community projects provide children with a wide range of exciting and varied learning opportunities.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 develop further the system where staff observe each other's practice, to enhance staff's evaluation of their own performance and build on their already first-rate practice.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children at free play, in group times and staff interactions with them.  The inspector sampled documents including policies, registers and records of children's learning.  The inspector spoke to parents and took into account their views.  The inspector spoke with the manager, staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector and manager conducted a joint observation.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Staff use their expert teaching skills to support children's learning and provide exciting play and learning opportunities. Children participate with enthusiasm in all activities and are highly motivated learners. Staff plan sessions that meet each child's individual needs, which ensures they are interested and focussed. Babies respond eagerly to singing songs they know well, such as 'sleeping bunnies'. They clap and bounce in time to the music and develop good concentration skills. Children have extensive opportunities to initiate and lead their own play. Groups of children independently write shopping lists on small clipboards. Their literacy skills are consistently extended as they enjoy writing and drawing, inside and out, with a large variety of resources in all areas of the nursery. This effectively supports their pre-writing skills. There are excellent systems in place to ensure parents are fully involved in their child's learning. Consequently, all children make rapid

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outstanding

Staff encourage children to become independent from an early age. The youngest children feed themselves and adults encourage them to try tasks, such as removing their shoes, before they assist them. This helps them prepare for the move to school and future life. Children have access to a large variety of stimulating toys, which they can access independently. Staff know the children well and show genuine care for them. They understand what specific things will soothe children. As a result, children quickly settle into play after their parents leave. Staff promote effective hygiene practices and healthy lifestyles at all times. Children enjoy nutritious and healthy meals and snacks prepared in the kitchen. Children learn to keep safe as they follow the safety routines, such as waiting by the shed in the garden, while the adult double checks the gate is closed and secure.

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provision is outstanding

The manager is unrelenting in her desire to see her staff, and the nursery achieve the highest standards. Staff supervision is focussed and leads staff to be highly reflective of their strengths and goals. This is being extended to staff observing and learning from each other. Management follow highly effective systems to ensure the ongoing suitability of staff and to promote their professional development. The manager and her staff safeguard children extremely well. The manager has an excellent understanding of how to promote, assess and monitor children's learning and development. Outstanding assessment systems means children's needs are quickly identified and addressed.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 134023 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 825580 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 55 Name of provider St Thomas's Day Nursery Date of previous inspection 8 March 2011 Telephone number 01865249800

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Setting details

St Thomas's Day Nursery opened in 1986. It operates from a converted office building on two floors in the centre of Oxford, Oxfordshire. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education aged three and four. The nursery supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery is open Monday to Thursday from 8.15am until 5.30pm, and Fridays from 8.15am until 5pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery employs 13 staff and, of those, all hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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