The Pod

Inspection of The Pod The Pod, Cricket Rd, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 3DR

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy and excited as they explore the lovely environment at the nursery. For example, they enjoy making 'pizzas' with play dough and laugh at one another's creations. The staff know the children well, and they share caring bonds. For instance, children smile with glee as they look through transparent shapes at their key person's face. Children feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. They regularly remind children of the nursery's 'golden rules' and to be kind to their friends. This is demonstrated when staff support children to take turns when trying to complete puzzles. Children respond well to adults, and they are beginning to learn why behaviour rules are in place.

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The provision is good

Staff and leaders have the same ambition for all children. They are proactive in liaising with other professionals. This helps them to plan detailed, individual support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). As a result, children with SEND have wonderful experiences based on their needs. For example, they happily explore the role-play kitchen and smile as they pretend to cook. They make excellent progress towards their next steps of development.

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The provision is good

Children have very strong independence skills. For example, they confidently manoeuvre large bricks to make a line and walk across them. Children enjoy figuring out for themselves how to get the next brick and place it where they need it to be. They giggle and laugh as they wobble on the bricks. Children have the problem-solving skills they need for future learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff and leaders have a strong focus on teaching children communication and language skills. They repeatedly introduce new words in play to extend children's vocabulary. For example, children delight in repeating animal names and enjoy trying to say 'hippopotamuses'. As a result, children make good progress in their communication and language skills. n Leaders are extremely passionate about offering high-quality care and learning. They regularly review the provision and reflect on areas for improvement. This ensures that children get the support they need to meet their next steps in development and that teaching improves over time. For instance, the nursery has recently taken part in an 'early excellence' initiative. This has helped to support the staff's knowledge and understanding of how children learn. As a result of the training, staff and leaders have amazing shared goals and values, which helps them to make continual improvement.

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need to do better?

n Overall, staff's interactions with children are positive and support children's

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need to do better?

11 January 2023 progress over time. For example, children smile with joy as staff tell them stories with puppets. They thoroughly enjoy this and excitedly start to play peekaboo with the puppet. However, some staff do not know how to respond and adapt their practice in the moment. For example, at times, staff do not recognise when some of the youngest children move from one activity to the next with little engagement. This does not help the youngest children to fully enjoy the learning opportunities. n Leaders are passionate about their well-thought-out curriculum. As a result, staff know how to support children's next steps of development. From the very first visit, staff begin to observe children so that they can plan from what they already know and can do. This helps children to make good progress in learning. However, there are times within the daily routine that do not consistently meet all children's needs. For example, some younger children struggle with large-

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need to do better?

group sessions. This does not help children to engage or focus on learning. n Most children have positive attitudes to play. Children demonstrate this when they enjoy exploring ice, and they smile with delight as it slips from their hands. Staff support them and repeat words such as 'slippy'. Younger children babble back and enjoy exploring this for some time. They have some lovely experiences across all seven areas of learning. n The nursery staff build endearing partnerships with parents. Parents are very eager to share their lovely feedback about the setting. They appreciate the regular updates in the daily communication books, and they know about their children's learning and development. Parents explain how their children have developed confidence and a love of singing since attending the nursery. They value the lovely bonds that key persons make with children and say they feel reassured that their children are with caring staff.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders are passionate about supporting a positive safeguarding culture. The staff attend regular training to keep their knowledge about safeguarding up to date. As a team, they regularly discuss the issues, and leaders ensure they tightly track any concerns they may have over a child's welfare. All staff know where to report to if they have concerns of any type. Leaders carry out thorough risk assessments throughout the provision. For example, they review accidents, and if they begin to see any trends, they quickly review the area and remove any potential risks. This helps to minimise the risk to children.

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should:

n strengthen teaching to ensure all staff interactions are of a consistently high

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should:

11 January 2023 quality and support learning n develop routines to ensure the youngest children have opportunities that engage and excite them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2613171 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10263417 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust

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reference number

Telephone number 01865 509444 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Pod registered in 2020. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold recognised early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery is open from 7.30am until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. The nursery provides funded early education for two- and three-year-old children.

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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 that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND.

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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

11 January 2023 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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