The Aunties' Old School Nursery

Inspection of The Aunties' Old School Nursery 33 Littleworth Road, Wheatley, OXFORD OX33 1NW

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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

The Aunties' Old School Nursery is a wonderful place for children to start their learning journey. Children flourish in this rich learning environment where highly skilled staff guide them with thoughtful understanding. Staff create exceptional opportunities for children to develop their skills indoors and outdoors, regardless of the weather. Children explore, play, solve problems and think for themselves every day.

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The provision is outstanding

The ambitious curriculum is well embedded and effective. The imaginative and stimulating range of activities and experiences sustains children's interests and keeps them engaged. Learning is active, exciting and fun. For example, children create their own muddy slope and enthusiastically slide down on sledges. They immerse themselves in foam, delightedly clapping their hands watching it splatter in all directions. Staff have an excellent understanding of how children learn. They inspire and challenge children to do their very best at any activity they undertake.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff are exemplary role models showing respect to the children and each other. They use clear narratives and consistent, gentle reminders to embed fully the expectations of the nursery. Children listen attentively. They thrive under the responsibility and challenge as they check the outside area for hazards, lay tables for lunch and wash up afterwards. Children respond with kindness when turn taking and sharing. Their behaviour is exceptional.

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need to do better?

n Inspirational and knowledgeable leaders have developed a precise, broad and ambitious curriculum, which they tailor to meet each child's learning needs. Staff place a high priority on planning and implementing exciting and motivating experiences that successfully embed core skills. For example, children have excellent support to develop their physical skills when they are outside as they explore the exciting environment. n Staff observe and assess children's progress extremely well. They show a comprehensive knowledge of children's individual learning and development needs. The support for all children, including children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), is highly effective. The staff team are exceptionally proactive in identifying children who need additional help. Working alongside families and professionals, they aim for all children to have the same opportunities. As a result, all children make rapid progress.

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need to do better?

n Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the nursery. Staff ensure that parents are actively engaged in every aspect of their child's care and learning. Parents are welcomed to regular meetings and receive frequent updates. They talk extremely positively about leaders and staff. Parents describe them as

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need to do better?

2 April 2025 'exceptional' and are delighted with the excellent progress their children are making. n Staff know the children remarkably well and are skilled in knowing how to challenge and extend children's learning even further. For example, as children explore the environment, they use magnifying glasses to examine a millipede they have found. They talk about its habitat and gently return it to its 'home'. Children thrive on rich experiences that help them to learn about the world around them. n Children's understanding of healthy lifestyles is exemplary. Their understanding of oral health is enhanced when staff create words to popular songs to reinforce children's understanding. Children, sing along enthusiastically. They have an excellent understanding of the different food groups. This is because staff frequently reinforce children's understanding by asking questions and talking about healthy eating. For instance, children can explain that carbohydrates give

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need to do better?

them energy and milk contains calcium, which will make their bones strong. n The development of children's communication and language skills is a high priority. Staff model language extremely well. They speak slowly and clearly, giving children time to respond to questions and instructions. They skilfully match the language they use and the questions they ask to the needs of each child. As a result, children are confident and articulate when speaking in variety of situations. For example, when they are encouraged to talk and sing on their own in large groups. n Leaders have high aspirations for all staff. They work diligently with the staff team to reflect on their own practice and share new knowledge and skills. Staff receive an abundance of professional development opportunities, which supports staff to implement excellent practice. For instance, staff use updated skills to enhance interactions with children. Leaders ensure that staff have tailored

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need to do better?

supervision that effectively provides them with regular coaching and mentoring. Staff feel extremely well supported and valued.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY385583 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10392521 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 35 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person The Aunties Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01865 872606 Date of previous inspection 29 August 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The Aunties' Old School Nursery registered in 2009 and is located in Wheatley, Oxfordshire. It is one of two nurseries run by The Aunties Limited. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged from nine months up to four years. The nursery is open on weekdays from 8am until 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays, the period between Christmas and New Year and two weeks during the summer holidays. The nursery employs 28 members of childcare staff, whom hold relevant qualifications at level 3 or above.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and leaders completed a learning walk throughout the nursery. They discussed how the early years' provision is organised and how the curriculum offered supports children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact of this on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of practice with a member of the leadership team. n The inspector read feedback and spoke to parents and carers during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector held discussions with staff at appropriate times during the inspection and talked to children during activities. n The inspector held meetings with the leadership team. She looked at a sample of policies and procedures, staff qualifications and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

2 April 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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