Bloxham Pre-School

Inspection of Bloxham Pre-School Bloxham C of E School, Tadmarton Road, Bloxham, BANBURY, Oxfordshire OX15 4HP

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Staff greet children warmly as they arrive full of enthusiasm for the day ahead. Children immediately engage with the inviting learning experiences that staff plan to support their learning. Staff immerse children in an environment that is rich in language. Children hear and absorb ambitious vocabulary as they playfully engage with staff. For example, when children print with paint and shapes, staff introduce words such as 'squeeze'. Staff repeat this as children are encouraged to squeeze the paint onto their pallets. Staff skilfully weave mathematics into children's play. Children learn the properties of different shapes and count confidently. They problem-solve as staff encourage children to consider how many are left when one item is taken away, building on their learning.

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The provision is good

Children show a strong awareness of routine and what is expected of them. They forge excellent relationships with staff and each other. They behave exceptionally well, and staff are extremely effective in embedding high expectations for children's behaviour. Children learn to recognise and reflect on their emotions and feel secure to express themselves. During outdoor play, staff provide children with varied opportunities to be physically active. For example, children are keen to complete their morning activity of running around the track, and they delight in the opportunity in the afternoon to play hide and seek with staff and their friends. Overall, children make good progress and have fun in this child-centred and nurturing setting.

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need to do better?

n Staff and leaders are passionate about their roles and want all children to achieve their full potential. They promote children's communication and language skills effectively. For example, staff encourage children effectively to think as they start meaningful conversations, introduce vocabulary and encourage children to share their views and experiences and extend their sentences. As a result, children become confident communicators. n Staff plan a curriculum that is highly effective to support children to build positive attitudes to learning. Staff empower children to be independent, to carry out tasks for themselves and to make their own choices. For example, children learn how some decisions are made democratically. They understand the meaning of to 'vote', such as for the most popular story at group time. Children demonstrate high levels of determination, perseverance and concentration. They grow in confidence and curiosity. This is an outstanding aspect of the setting.

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need to do better?

n The effective key-person arrangements mean that staff know the children well. They gather information from parents about what children already know and can do. Staff use this information effectively to plan activities that interest children and build on what they need to learn next.

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need to do better?

26 March 2025 n Overall, children learn many skills for their future. However, at times, staff do not fully consider the most beneficial ways to offer activities to engage children in learning. For example, they do not focus on the best possible intended learning when sometimes they rely on the provision of colouring sheets. n Children with special education needs and/or disabilities are supported well by staff. Any gaps in children's development are identified quickly. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to plan and support children's needs and ensure that all activities are inclusive. n Children demonstrate a strong desire to explore things for themselves. They become deeply immersed as they explore and mould play dough to make shapes or practise using scissors to cut a variety of resources. Although staff support children to develop their muscle strength in preparation for early writing skills,

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need to do better?

staff do not always consider those children that need more opportunities to develop their grasp of tools before moving them on to writing recognisable letters. n Partnerships with parents and carers are well established. Parents say their children are happy and settled, and they feel incredibly supported as a family. Communication is effective and parents receive regular updates on their children's progress and next steps, which includes ways to continue children's learning at home. Staff build strong relationships with the link primary school foundation unit. This supports many children's smooth transition on to school. n Leaders have robust recruitment procedures in place to ensure that all staff and committee members are suitable. They monitor staff's practice and seek views and contributions from parents, which helps the pre-school team to reflect and make improvements. All staff receive regular supervision sessions and extend

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need to do better?

their knowledge through continued professional development opportunities.

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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 support staff to plan and implement more practical activities and consider the best ways to achieve the intended learning outcomes n enhance opportunities for those children who need to build their hand strength and coordination to further support their early writing skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 133607 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10393772 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 24 Number of children on roll 23 Name of registered person Bloxham Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01295722959 Date of previous inspection 2 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Bloxham Pre-School registered in 1992. It is situated in the grounds of Bloxham Church of England Primary School, in Bloxham, near Banbury. It is open on weekdays from 8.50am until 3pm, term time only. A breakfast club is also available from 8am. The provider is in receipt of funding to provide free early education to children aged three and four years. The provider employs six members of staff. Of these, five hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment process, following information received about the provider. n The inspector observed activities in the main base room and garden. She talked to staff about the progress individual children are making and what they want the children to learn. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk across all areas of the pre-school to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. The inspector observed interactions between staff and the children and the impact these have on children's learning. n The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with children. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including the arrangements for paediatric first-aid training. The inspector had a discussion with leaders about

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Inspection activities

the evaluation of the setting and plans for improvement. n The inspector spoke to parents and children during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

26 March 2025 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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