Ladygrove Day Nursery And Nursery School

Inspection of Ladygrove Day Nursery And Nursery School 1 Lostock Place, Didcot OX11 7XT

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they are settled, happy and confident within the nursery. They benefit from a good range of activities that are planned purposefully to meet individual learning needs and developmental stages, ensuring all children are supported effectively. All children have their individual needs met well. Staff are good role models and, overall, maintain a welcoming and clean environment for children to play and learn within.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff are kind and considerate to the children. They implement a good curriculum that is focused on developing children's curiosity and independence well. For example, children of all ages have fun exploring with a wide range of sensory materials, such as mixing flour with ice water and mark making. Activities such as these help children to develop their finger muscles as they manipulate, stretch and explore the materials in their hands.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are motivated learners. They are continuously busy and well supported by staff who know them well. Children, including those that are new to the nursery, show they feel safe in the environment by approaching and interacting with inspectors. They are starting to make good friendships and enjoy playing with and alongside each other. Staff communicate and engage purposefully with children, supporting their understanding, listening and speaking skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders and staff create a warm and welcoming environment for the children and provide inclusive care for all. Staff work well together to plan and implement the nursery's overarching curriculum ethos. The key-person arrangements are well established, with staff knowing the children well. Staff understand how children learn, and evidence shows that children make good progress. n Staff support children's physical development well. Older children are encouraged to be curious and to take managed risks as they create and test out obstacle courses. Children show enthusiasm for outdoor play, engaging actively with resources such as balls and climbing equipment. Staff are well deployed throughout and maintain a safe environment to give children the freedom to explore. n Staff foster a love of language and literacy by introducing children to a wide range of stories and books. Staff read books with enthusiasm to children to

p.2

need to do better?

enhance enjoyment and engagement. Furthermore, they model language effectively through singing, where they creatively adapt songs to reflect children's ideas, such as linking lyrics to the snacks being eaten or animals featured in play. This responsive approach supports children's communication and language skills successfully.

p.2

need to do better?

16 September 2025 n Children develop mathematical language well, as staff thread this through many activities. For example, children are encouraged and supported to explore shapes of puzzle pieces and problem solve as they turn them to fit within the puzzle board. Alongside this, staff promote positive behaviour well by encouraging children to be kind and helpful. As a result, behaviour across the setting is consistently well managed. n Staff have professional and friendly relationships with parents and carers. They keep appropriate information about the children's health and care needs. However, not all parents feel this is communicated as effectively as it could be to help them feel well informed about their children's learning. Despite this, parents speak positively about the care and support their children receive, noting that any concerns are addressed promptly. n Children benefit from freshly prepared, healthy, and nutritious snacks and meals

p.2

need to do better?

that support their individual health and dietary needs. Staff understand children's healthcare requirements and consistently follow the nursery's policies and procedures for medication administration, illness management and nappy changing routines. Parents are kept informed of any incidents or changes in their child's well-being, helping them make informed decisions about their child's care when needed. n Staff promote children's independence well. Overall, younger children are encouraged to feed themselves, while toddlers receive support in using open-top cups. Children regularly manage their own self-care, such as washing hands and changing clothes after sensory play, helping them to build self-sufficiency and confidence. n Leaders are confident and foster a supportive culture, as reflected in staff's feedback. Staff benefit from regular supervision and training opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills. However, at times, the ongoing coaching

p.3

need to do better?

and mentoring of staff does not focus enough on providing clear feedback on their practice so that they can use this to further develop the quality of teaching.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n further extend the information shared with parents and strengthen consistency between home and the nursery n sharpen the monitoring and evaluating of staff practice to help to identify any inconsistencies and raise the already good levels of practice even higher.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY551933 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10411770 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 102 Number of children on roll 129 Name of registered person Busy Bees Nurseries Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01543 678593 Date of previous inspection 23 January 2020

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Ladygrove Day Nursery And Nursery School registered in 2017 and is part of a chain of nurseries run by Busy Bees. It is located in Didcot, Oxfordshire. The nursery employs 30 members of childcare staff, 19 of whom hold early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Information about this inspection

Inspectors Tracy Bartholomew Lisa Robinson

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager explained the nursery curriculum during a learning walk with the inspectors. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspectors. n The manager and one of the inspectors completed a joint observation of an activity together and discussed the quality of teaching and learning afterwards. n Staff spoke with the inspectors during the visit, and children confidently shared their experiences of the activities they participated in. n One of the inspectors spoke with the management team about the leadership and management of the setting. n The manager showed one of the inspectors documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

16 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6