Little Troopers Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Troopers Day Nursery 13 Stanley Road, OXFORD OX4 1QY

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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 happy and secure at this extremely welcoming setting. They are encouraged to have a 'can-do' attitude and to be active in their own learning. Children are supported superbly to take risks and problem-solve. For example, children spend time making a castle, den and bridge in an activity aimed at developing their gross motor skills. Staff skilfully ask children questions to encourage them to talk about what they are doing and use their excellent communication skills through their imaginary play. Children enjoy the time they spend outdoors as they pretend to be their favourite characters, and they learn to negotiate with each other.

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The provision is outstanding

Promotion of children's well-being is outstanding and their behaviour is excellent. Children develop their confidence and social skills and learn to manage their behaviour. There is a strong focus on friendship and kindness, and staff encourage children to engage with and help each other as they play. All staff are superb role models who use a range of innovative strategies to empower children to understand and manage their own behaviour. They encourage children to express their emotions and to think of ways in which to best handle conflict amicably.

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The provision is outstanding

Children benefit greatly from a range of exciting, stimulating and challenging activities and experiences. The well-organised environment promotes children's natural curiosity. Children are enthusiastic, inquisitive and highly motivated to learn. They develop excellent communication skills and confidently articulate what they know and can do. Children are fascinated by the world around them. For example, a conversation about whales leads to children recalling a favourite story with a whale, which they correctly describe as a humpback whale. Staff engage with children through thoughtful questioning that challenges them to think and use their own ideas. For example, the conversation about whales leads into further discussions about what can be found in the ocean. Children name whales, sharks, fish and coral. The range and breadth of the well-implemented activities provided ensures that children make the best possible progress.

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need to do better?

n The leadership team is well established and extremely supportive of the staff. The manager is a visionary whose uncompromising commitment to providing children with the highest level of care and education is evident. She strives to develop her own knowledge with an infectious desire to continually reflect with her staff to improve practice and support her team and children. n Staff's interactions with children are exceptional. They respond sensitively to the children and communicate with them in a variety of ways. Children's speech and language development is prioritised in the nursery. Staff are highly skilled and

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need to do better?

7 November 2023 effective at supporting children to acquire language. They use a variety of communication methods to support all children to make superb progress in their speech and language development. For example, staff use 'reading buddies' in the younger room and sign language throughout the nursery. All children are developing a love for books and literature. n All staff understand the curriculum intent and put into practice with confidence. They know when to stand back and allow children to explore and discover. Consequently, staff identify meaningful, unobtrusive opportunities to build on children's understanding and move learning forward. n Parent partnerships are superb. Parents highly rate what they consider to be an exceptionally caring and communicative staff team. Testimonials are overwhelmingly positive, commenting on how children flourish at the nursery. n Staff are especially caring towards the children, creating an extremely nurturing

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need to do better?

environment. New children settle remarkably quickly. This is supported by exceptional information obtained ahead of children starting. In addition, staff undertake home visits to meet the children and their families. n The inspirational manager has embedded a rigorous system to support and monitor the development of staff. She coaches and mentors to help them confidently perform to their full potential. The manager and the provider recognise the importance of valuing their staff. For example, they have invested in an external package to support the well-being of their staff, as well as a host of things they offer internally. All staff say they enjoy working here and feel exceptionally valued. n Children have a number of ways to learn about how to lead a healthy lifestyle. For example, they recall the impact different food groups have on their health. For instance, at mealtimes, children tell staff how red food helps your heart to

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need to do better?

be strong and green food builds your immunity. n Staff provide a wealth of opportunities for children to meet new people and talk about similarities and differences in the world. Children frequently visit a range of local attractions in the community to take part in activities that enthuse and inspire them. For example, children make visits to the elderly and collect food and deliver it to the local food bank. n Children are supported to be independent and persevere in tasks. The youngest children are supported to learn to feed themselves with cutlery and drink from open cups. Older children are independent in setting the table for lunch with plates and cutlery. They serve their own lunches and use cutlery competently. Children are sensitively supported to follow excellent table manners.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is a culture of safeguarding at the nursery that is evident in all staff's work. The manager and staff have an exceptionally good understanding about safeguarding children. They have a depth of knowledge of local safeguarding issues and develop close, professional relationships with families. Staff are alert to any changes that might indicate that children are at risk of harm. They know how to

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Safeguarding

7 November 2023 respond to other safeguarding concerns, such as county lines, safer internet use and extreme and radicalised behaviours. Staff receive rigorous safeguarding training, including daily quizzes and staff meetings on child protection. They monitor the welfare of the children vigilantly. The manager maintains meticulous recruitment procedures. She ensures staff's suitability through ongoing checks.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY340742 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10304932 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 42 Number of children on roll 61 Name of registered person Little Troopers Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01865 793 322 Date of previous inspection 6 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Little Troopers Day Nursery registered in 2006. The nursery employs 15 members of staff. Of these, one has early years teacher status, one has qualified teacher status and the manager holds a relevant qualification at level 6. Nine staff hold qualifications at level 3 or level 4. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8.30am until 5.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-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 inspector had a learning walk with the manager through all areas of the premises used by the children. n Parents shared their views through written feedback. The inspector took these views into account. n The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the senior management team about the leadership of the setting.

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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

7 November 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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