Child First Bicester

Inspection of Child First Bicester 32 Launton Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX26 6PY

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Since the last inspection, the manager has developed and embedded the curriculum. As a result, there are clear intentions for what children need to learn, and staff know how to deliver the curriculum effectively. There is a productive atmosphere within the nursery, and children engage in meaningful experiences that help them to grow into enthusiastic learners. For example, children test out their physical skills when they learn outdoors. Older children explore different equipment with confidence and determination.

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The provision is good

Children in the baby room experience excellent care and learning. Staff have undertaken extensive training to learn about the impact of prematurity and birth experiences on young children's development. As a result, they are acutely aware of each child's individual needs. Staff adjust expectations for children's development according to their prematurity. They appreciate children's and family relationships and emotions and use this knowledge to tailor settling-in arrangements for children. This ensures that children and parents are confident during this first period of prolonged separation from each other. These firm foundations equip children well with positive attitudes towards learning and for eventually moving on to school. All children do well at the nursery and make good progress in their development. Children behave well and play together respectfully and happily.

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need to do better?

n The inspirational manager and deputy manager have shaped their knowledge of how children learn best through their extensive experience and training. The manager has visited international centres, and she uses her learning from different perspectives on early education to shape the nursery's ethos and the intent of the curriculum. Staff encourage children to be independent, able to assess risks and enjoy the numerous benefits of learning outdoors. n Children in the baby room experience sensitive and considerate care that is matched to their home routines. All staff talk with children, use simple sign language and actively encourage children to expand on their vocabularies. Staff repeat young children's attempts at talking, maintain eye contact and praise children. This boosts children's confidence in talking. n When introducing older children to early writing and spelling out the letters of their names, staff do not consistently sound out letters and alternate between

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need to do better?

letter names and sounds. At times, this is confusing for children. Furthermore, opportunities for children to practise writing letters are occasionally limited by the resources that staff provide for this. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children with long-term medical needs make very good progress at the nursery. Staff are

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need to do better?

12 March 2024 proactive in working with other professionals and accessing further training, They are highly motivated to work collaboratively with parents. There are comprehensive and effective plans in place to support children. These are known and understood by all staff, and they show genuine care for children. n Key-person relationships are very effective. When children are unsettled, staff comfort and reassure them. They show children photographs of family members and offer children comfort as they talk about their families. Interactions are kind and gentle, and children build strong relationships with the adults who care for them. This contributes to their sense of security and safety at the nursery. n Parents discuss how well staff get to know their families and celebrate what makes them unique and special. This means that all families feel welcome and included at the nursery. In turn, this boosts children's awareness of the diverse

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need to do better?

world they grow up in. n There have been extensive improvements since the last inspection. This includes reshaping and developing the curriculum, increasing the effectiveness of communication with parents and expanding on staff skills. However, the manager has not yet reviewed the effectiveness of the curriculum and its implementation to ensure they can sustain children's high-quality care and education. n Parents are very positive about the care and education that their children receive. They know their child's key person and have regular opportunities to discuss and share information with them. This is effective in enabling parents to understand what children are learning and know how they can support children's good development at home. n Staff are incredibly happy in their work. All feel they receive excellent, nurturing support that enables them to develop both personally and professionally.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n enhance older children's literacy skills, expanding on the opportunities for them to develop and test out their early attempts at writing n review and further strengthen the curriculum, identifying what works well for children and any areas for development, to confirm the curriculum remains highly effective in helping to make the best possible progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY342511 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10299507 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 138 Number of children on roll 166 Name of registered person Child 1st Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01869 323730 Date of previous inspection 30 May 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Child First Bicester registered in 2006 and is situated on the outskirts of the town of Bicester, in Oxfordshire. The nursery is open each weekday, from 7.30am until 6.30pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery employs 41 members of staff, 18 of whom hold a relevant early years qualification at level 2 or above. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged three and four years.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors Hayley Marshall-Gowen Lisa Robinson

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Inspection activities

n The inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspectors discussed the intent of the curriculum and observed its implementation during activities indoors and outdoors, and they assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed and discussed with the manager. n During the inspection, the inspectors held a meeting with the manager and the provider. They looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspectors spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection. n Parents were invited to share their views with the inspectors. Several parents discussed their views during the inspection, and the inspectors took account of all feedback received.

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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

12 March 2024 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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