Oak Tree Day Nursery

Inspection of Oak Tree Day Nursery 30 Cecil Street, Rothwell, Kettering NN14 6EZ

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Staff provide children with a welcoming, inclusive, home-from-home environment. When children arrive, the caring staff give them a unique and warm welcome. Staff develop strong bonds with children. Children show that they feel safe and secure as they quickly settle and engage in the exciting activities on offer.

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The provision is good

The well-designed curriculum is accessible for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff reflect on children's individual interests and promote deep, meaningful learning experiences. For example, toddlers use scoops to catch the balls floating in water. They show focus and concentration as they carefully tip the balls into cones. Outside, children lift planks of wood and arrange small tyres to make an assault course. They travel along the planks, holding their arms wide to balance before jumping off the end. These activities help develop children's physical skills.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is well supported by patient staff who use repetition and routine to let children know what is happening next. For instance, toddlers excitedly sit on the mat when staff introduce a group activity. Older children vote to fairly choose what story they would like to hear. These routines support them to develop a positive attitude to learning, helping all children make good progress in their learning and development.

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need to do better?

n The nursery's curriculum is designed to support children's development through clear sequenced and tailored learning plans. Staff set specific goals for each child and use small-group activities to foster engagement and targeted learning. Extra curricular opportunities, such as weekly forest school visits for older children, broaden their experiences and understanding of the world. n Leaders and staff provide excellent support for children with SEND. They make timely referrals and work closely with parents and other professionals. Staff establish targeted plans, so children receive early intervention. Leaders use additional funding effectively. For example, they have invested in a speech therapist to help staff support children's speech and language development. This has a positive impact on helping children to reach their potential. n Communication and language development is a focus of the nursery. Staff

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need to do better?

carefully select stories to suit children's age and interests. They read familiar books with enthusiasm, capturing children's attention and encouraging participation by pausing to ask, 'What do you think will happen next?' Children respond with interest, developing vocabulary and comprehension. Staff introduce new vocabulary in context. For example, during sand play, children explore size, volume and quantity using mathematical language. As a result, children make

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need to do better?

8 August 2025 good progress with their communication and language. n Overall, staff teach children to learn how to keep themselves safe well. For instance, they help children to assess risks in their own play, such as asking questions about strength and stability of bridges they make. However, staff do not plan opportunities to help children learn about online safety when they access devices at home, such as to use the internet. n Mealtimes are used effectively to promote children's independence and understanding of healthy lifestyles. Children confidently manage food packaging with minimal support. Staff engage children in conversations about food choices and encourage even the youngest children to do things for themselves. Children know to wash their hands before eating and after toileting. This helps to build self-care skills and prepare them well for future learning. n Parents and carers praise the approachable staff and appreciate the effective

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need to do better?

communication about their children's progress that they receive. They feel listened to and highlight the support they are given to help their children continue learning at home. Parents feel involved in transitions, especially when children first start attending and when they move on to school. Parents say their children develop the skills they need to be ready for school. n Experienced and knowledgeable leaders prioritise children in their decisions and have a clear understanding of the provision's strengths and areas for development. Leaders identify where further support is needed, such as when teaching does not fully extend children's learning. Although support has been put into place to improve teaching, it is not yet fully effective. This means that on occasions the quality of teaching varies, which impacts on children's abilities to reach their full potential.

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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 help children to understand the potential risks associated with screen time when they access the internet at home n coach staff effectively to identify areas for development that help to raise the quality of their teaching to a consistently high level

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY475355 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10399233 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 26 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person Oak Tree Out of School Club Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01536601670 Date of previous inspection 25 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Oak Tree Day Nursery registered in 2014. It is located in Rothwell, Northamptonshire and is managed by Oak Tree Out-of-School Club Partnership. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. All staff hold early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 and the deputy manager carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed 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

8 August 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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