Little Dots Daycare Ltd

Inspection of Little Dots Daycare Ltd The College Building, Burford Road, Minster Lovell, WITNEY, Oxfordshire OX29 0RD

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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

Children are happy and confident and feel safe in this clean, well-maintained nursery. Staff know the children well and use information gathered from parents during conversations to support their individual needs. Staff provide a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child and family feel respected and valued. As a result, children benefit significantly from the care, attention and support provided, which contributes positively to their overall development and well-being.

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The provision is good

Staff understand how children learn and deliver a balanced curriculum tailored to their interests and needs. Key staff have a secure understanding of the next steps in children's learning and embed these effectively into planned activities. Younger children show confidence as they explore their environment, successfully managing obstacles and developing spatial awareness. Older children show increasing confidence in managing risks safely, particularly during forest school sessions, where they engage in challenging activities such as log cutting and learning about fire safety.

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The provision is good

Staff effortlessly support children's curiosity, resilience and independence through activities, consistently using praise and encouragement. Children behave well and know what is expected of them. Older children are encouraged to recognise and celebrate each other's achievements, for which staff promote the use of a star reward board effectively. Overall, staff support children's communication and language development well, using conversations, questioning, storytelling and singing to build skills and confidence.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff work together effectively to create a warm and welcoming nursery environment. Leaders ensure staffing levels consistently meet statutory requirements, with staff well deployed across the setting to support children's individual needs. Robust risk assessments are in place to ensure all areas of the nursery and planned outings are appropriately staffed and equipped. Safety measures, such as door guards and other protective equipment, are used effectively to maintain a secure environment. n Staff ensure children have daily access to outdoor play, where they develop a wide range of skills through hands-on experiences, for example by negotiating ramps and safely jumping from height. Children show a strong interest in nature and the world around them, learning and discovering facts about insects, grass snakes and conker husks. These experiences support their communication and language development as they are supportive overall in meaningful

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need to do better?

conversations. Children have many opportunities to be creative, engaging in sensory exploration with water and dough and enjoying imaginative play in the

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need to do better?

23 September 2025 mud kitchen. n Children's health is consistently well supported by staff, who implement robust hygiene practices across the setting. Routines include the thorough cleaning and sterilisation of toys and equipment, alongside appropriate nappy changing procedures. Staff supervise and support children's toileting independence with sensitivity, using appropriate equipment to ensure safety and dignity. These measures help to minimise the risk of infection and contribute to a safe, hygienic and nurturing environment where children can thrive. n Staff are kind and promote independence from an early age. For example, younger children are encouraged to feed themselves, while older children make choices about what they would like to eat and take responsibility for collecting their meals and returning their plates. Children enjoy generous portions of healthy, freshly prepared food tailored to their individual needs, allergies and

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need to do better?

preferences. Oral health is supported through daily tooth brushing and activity bags for children to take home. n Staff understand confidentiality and have built trusting relationships with parents. Parents are encouraged to engage in their child's learning through initiatives like parent packs that support continued learning at home. Communication is regular and varied, and parents speak highly of the staff, praising their 'professionalism', 'exceptional care' and 'warmth'. n The leadership team and staff foster an inclusive nursery where understanding of the world is embedded through enriching experiences such as library visits and exposure to a range of languages spoken around the world, which broaden their understanding of the wider world effectively. n Leaders and staff demonstrate a secure understanding of their safeguarding roles. They confidently recognise signs of abuse, follow clear procedures for

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need to do better?

reporting accidents and incidents, and understand whistle-blowing protocols. Staff benefit from regular reflection, supervision and training. However, current coaching and mentoring systems are not yet sharply focused on identifying inconsistencies in practice, which limits opportunities to further elevate the already good standards across the setting.

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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 the monitoring and evaluation of staff practice even further to identify any inconsistencies and elevate the already high standards even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY443584 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10417456 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 70 Number of children on roll 108 Name of registered person Little Dots Daycare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01993 358 323 Date of previous inspection 27 April 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Little Dots Daycare Ltd registered in 2012. It is located on the outskirts of Witney, Oxfordshire. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6pm from Monday to Friday. It operates all year round, except for bank holidays and a week at Christmas. The nursery receives funding for the provision of early education for children aged from nine months onwards. They employ 27 members of staff. Of these, 19 hold relevant qualifications at level 2 and above.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and deputy manager conducted a learning walk with the inspector across all areas of the nursery to review how the early years provision and curriculum are organised and implemented. n The manager and the inspector completed a joint observation of an activity together and discussed the quality of teaching and learning afterwards. n Children spoke to the inspector about the activities they took part in. n Parental feedback was gathered through direct discussions with parents available during the inspection and written emails submitted for the inspector. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and leadership team about the leadership and management 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

23 September 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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