The Aunties' Old School Nursery

Inspection of The Aunties' Old School Nursery School Lane, Stanton St. John, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX33 1ET

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children are captivated and enthralled as they arrive at this inspirational nursery. They enter the outdoor space through a sea of bubbles with enchanting music playing. Children beam with joy as they are greeted with open arms by the loving and nurturing staff. They separate from their parents with ease. Children pop the bubbles and smile and laugh together as they delight in expressing themselves through dance and movement. They are exceptionally confident and secure. Children have an extremely strong sense of belonging and achieve the best possible outcomes. They thrive and flourish in this nursery where staff celebrate and allow their unique personalities and strengths to blossom.

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The provision is outstanding

All children make remarkable progress and excel in their development. They access a curriculum that is highly ambitious, sparks their creativity and deepens their understanding. Children demonstrate high levels of concentration and focus on the highly stimulating and challenging activities they access. For instance, they relish the opportunity to solve the problem of getting up and down a steep slope in the woodland. Children learn to take calculated risks and build their resilience as they persevere to use their strength to climb to the top. They demonstrate impeccable levels of kindness and consideration towards each other as they encourage and help their friends achieve the challenge. Children then squeal with excitement as they enjoy the thrilling experience of abseiling back down to the bottom.

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need to do better?

n Staff are playful and animated in their delivery of the curriculum. They dress up and act out a play for the children to watch about a tooth being cleaned. Children roar with laughter at the enthusiastic performance. They are then able to accurately recount the information they have acquired. Children explain their understanding of 'plaque' and 'cavities' and can talk about the importance of making healthy food choices and keeping their teeth clean. n Staff expertly provide children with an in-depth knowledge and detailed understanding of the areas they explore. For example, children are immersed in the experience of hunting around the woodland with their binoculars and magnifying glasses. They name the flowers, such as 'dandelions' and 'cows parsley', and talk about their properties, comparing the shapes and sizes of the leaves. Staff encourage the children to find out more by looking at factual books

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need to do better?

together. They ignite children's curiosity and thirst for learning. n Parents express an overwhelming level of praise for the nursery. They value the extensive lengths leaders go to, to ensure they are supported to the highest level. Leaders go above and beyond to give parents individual help and advice around a wealth of parenting topics. For example, they spend time having detailed discussion with parents on how to support children to cope with the

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need to do better?

4 May 2022 arrival of a new sibling. Leaders understand the impact that excellent partnerships with parents have on accomplishing the best outcomes for children. n Staff are passionate about encouraging children's awareness of art and culture. They expose children to a vast variety of different music, such as jazz, pop songs, rhymes and a range of classical music. Staff bring in their own instruments to give children the real-life experience of viewing and hearing how these work. Children learn about different composers and artists from around the world. They recreate giant sculptures and paintings, and delight in learning about the different techniques and materials that artists use. n Staff expertly create calm and peaceful moments throughout the day for children to rest and reset. They recognise the immense benefit this has on their well- being and sense of self-worth. Children make their own nests under trees to

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need to do better?

have a 'mindful moment' as they listen to the sound of birds singing and observe clouds and trees. Younger toddlers sleep peacefully outside in the fresh air during nap times. Children return to their learning recharged and refreshed. n The members of the highly experienced leadership team place the utmost importance on investing in the well-being and continuous professional development of their staff. Highly effective supervision, mentoring and extensive amounts of training and shared research all contribute to creating a highly skilled and knowledgeable team. Leaders motivate their staff to deliver the best possible practice. As a whole team, they are passionate about reflecting, evaluating and continually improving the already outstanding quality of care and education they provide.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The safety of children is of the highest priority to all staff. The leadership team ensures that staff access regular and highly effective training. Staff have an extremely thorough understanding of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk from abuse. They understand how to record and report any concerns they may have about a child's welfare or the conduct of adults working with children. Staff have robust systems in place to make sure children can explore the outdoors freely. They risk assess to minimise potential hazards and closely supervise children to keep them safe. Leaders put in place thorough recruitment and induction procedures to ensure the suitability of the staff they employ.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 133499 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10228249 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 64 Name of registered person The Aunties Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01865 351215 Date of previous inspection 23 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The Aunties' Old School Nursery registered in 1989 and is situated in Stanton St. John, Oxfordshire. It is one of two nurseries run by The Aunties Limited. The nursery is open on weekdays from 8am until 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays, one week at Christmas and a week during the summer holidays. The nursery employs 18 staff to work with children, all of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3 or above.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken this into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The leaders took part in a learning walk with the inspector and talked about what they want children to learn. n Parents shared their views of the setting both in person and through written accounts. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and the assessed the impact this had on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed and leaders evaluated this with the inspector. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

4 May 2022 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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