The Old Station Nursery Heyford

At its June 2026 inspection, Heyford's strongest assessments concerned care and inclusion: staff knew children's routines, involved families and adapted support around individual needs. This purpose-built nursery in Heyford Park has capacity for 64 children aged 3 to 60 months, giving families a setting that spans babyhood and the preschool years.

At its 4 June 2026 inspection, Ofsted awarded Strong standard judgements for inclusion and children's welfare and wellbeing, Expected standard for achievement, behaviour and routines, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance, with safeguarding standards met. The distinction matters: care and inclusion received the stronger assessments, while teaching still needed greater consistency.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. In everyday terms, this brings learning and care together: conversation, physical movement, play and growing independence all contribute to children's development.

In June 2026, activities were arranged to build on children's existing abilities and suit their different stages. Babies practised moving, climbing and taking early steps; older children explored mathematical ideas in group activities and joined stories and songs. These were recognisable, practical experiences rather than learning confined to a table.

Music and movement also gave quieter children a way to participate through familiar songs. Additional funding supported fortnightly sessions delivered by an external agency, combining movement with personal, social and emotional development. The useful detail is the way support was built into shared activities, allowing children to participate alongside friends.

Outdoor and Community Life

A garden provides space for outdoor play. In June 2026, children practised balancing and jumping in puddles and took responsibility for changing their footwear. Putting on coats and wellington boots became part of learning to manage everyday tasks.

Outdoor teaching was less consistent. During free play and outside activities that month, adult interactions sometimes failed to extend learning, and children shifted quickly between activities as their attention faded. More purposeful outdoor provision and stronger staff coaching were the next steps. Outdoor space alone is not the whole offer; what adults do with it matters.

Family events add another strand to nursery life. The annual Stew and Sparklers event included a Pumpkin Competition in 2024, bringing families' creative contributions into a shared celebration. That year's invitation to the annual Christmas Party included a tea party and festive raffle. These events give parents opportunities to take part beyond everyday handovers.

Relationships and Communication

In June 2026, staff gathered information from families when children started and used it to shape their care and activities. The key-person arrangements gave children a familiar adult to approach, while practitioners encouraged them to try everyday tasks before stepping in. Extra sessions were offered where needed to help children settle.

Communication extended beyond daily care. That month, staff shared learning information with parents and invited families to special events. For parents, the practical value lies in connecting what happens at nursery with what their child needs at home, rather than treating the two as separate parts of the day.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the June 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that children with SEND received effective, individual support, with staff identifying learning barriers and working with parents and specialist agencies to address them. This is the clearest reason for families needing additional support to give Heyford close consideration.

In June 2026, children with medical needs had personal care plans, and important information was documented for parents and partner agencies. Staff also used praise and consistent expectations to help children recognise emotions and manage behaviour; familiar daily tasks included clearing up before meals.

Kitchen staff and leaders adjusted menus and meal arrangements where possible that month, while children were offered choices about healthy food. This made mealtimes part of both care and learning.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Old Station Nursery, Camp Road, Upper Heyford, Bicester, OX25 5BS. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

Applications use the Heyford Registration Form. Exact attendance days must be confirmed no later than six weeks before the child's start date, and the manager confirms the requested sessions subject to availability. A non-refundable registration charge applies to all new applications, so the application timetable deserves attention alongside the intended start date.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare is offered through entitlements described as 15 or 30 hours a week, alongside privately paid childcare. Eligibility determines when funding can begin; a start before funding activates is charged at the private rate.

For funded childcare, a separate service charge covers food, including snacks and meals, and non-food items including wipes, nappies and sun cream, together with additional services. Funding therefore needs to be considered alongside the charges attached to attendance. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Outdoor teaching. In June 2026, outdoor activities and adult interactions needed more consistency. On a visit, ask how staff now extend children's play in the garden and what coaching has changed.
• Attendance planning. Exact days must be settled at least six weeks before starting, and requested sessions need the manager's confirmation. Discuss the booking pattern that fits your working week before committing to an application.
• Funded-place costs. Funded childcare carries a separate service charge for food, consumables and additional services. Assess the written quotation as a whole when comparing your intended attendance.

Heyford merits consideration for families who place individual care, communication and support for additional needs high on their list. Its June 2026 assessments give those priorities substance, while the teaching concerns make outdoor practice an important part of the decision.

The weekday opening window suits families planning childcare across the year. A purpose-built setting, practical independence and shared family events add character, but the strongest case remains the attention given to individual children.