Oak Tree Day Nursery

Paint tracks made with toy cars, chalk circles outdoors and toddlers experimenting with foam give Oak Tree Day Nursery a practical, playful character. On the Bath Spa University campus at Newton Park, it caters for children aged 0 to 60 months. At its February 2025 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective.

The strongest impression from February 2025 is of children learning through hands-on activity, with conversation and growing independence woven into play. There were also two clear priorities: making group activities work better for every child and gathering fuller developmental information from families before children start.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday routines support their learning together. In February 2025, early drawing and writing experiences took different forms across the ages. Babies rolled cars through paint, toddlers traced shapes in foam, and preschool children drew outdoors with chalk. These activities gave children ways to explore making marks before formal writing.

Physical experiences were equally concrete that February. A balancing beam gave toddlers opportunities to practise stability, while babies reached for suspended toys on an activity gym. Children also tried yoga positions. Imaginative play included caring for dolls and pretending to prepare food with sand, giving children opportunities to act out familiar experiences.

In February 2025, staff extended children's conversations by echoing babies' sounds, repeating words for toddlers and asking questions that encouraged older children to describe their ideas. Practical independence mattered too: toddlers attempted coats and boots, while preschool children put their possessions away.

Support for emotions was part of the day that February. Stories and conversations helped children think about feelings and how their actions affected friends. Staff also explained handwashing in connection with eating and outdoor play, linking a care routine to its purpose.

Communication with families included updates about daily activities and personal care in February 2025, alongside ideas for learning at home. The weakness was at entry: staff needed a fuller picture of children's existing skills to plan more precisely from the outset.

The address is Bath Spa University, Newton Park, Newton St. Loe, Bath, BA2 9BN. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and a week at Christmas.

In February 2025, the nursery received government funding.

• Group participation. In February 2025, some shared activities ended when children became restless rather than being adapted to sustain participation. Families should explore how staff now organise these activities for children with different attention spans.
• Starting information. February 2025's improvement priorities included gathering more developmental detail at entry. Sharing what a child already enjoys and can do is directly relevant to this issue.
• Funded attendance. Government funding formed part of the provision in February 2025. Which funded attendance arrangements and associated meal or consumables charges would apply to your child?

Oak Tree suits families seeking campus-based childcare, with weekday opening across the year. Its February 2025 account offers concrete examples of sensory play, conversation and practical independence. The decision should also take account of the two teaching priorities: keeping children involved during group activities and making better use of their starting skills.