Oxfam Workplace Nursery

Trees, recycling and conversations about world events gave this workplace nursery a clear character in December 2021. Children discussed forest fires and volcanoes alongside ways to care for the planet. Environmental learning connected nursery conversations with events around the world.

Ofsted rated Oxfam Workplace Nursery Outstanding at its 1 December 2021 inspection. It has capacity for 28 children, with its home at Oxfam House in Oxford Business Park South. In December 2021, it primarily served children of Oxfam staff; the children attending were aged 0 to 4.

In December 2021, books supported more than story time. Children explored factual writing and fiction, talked about favourite titles and identified authors and illustrators. Staff used expressive reading and discussion to extend those conversations. Rhymes and songs gave younger children another route into language.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. In December 2021, staff built activities around what children already knew, stepping in to introduce another idea or challenge their thinking. This gave learning a starting point in the child's existing understanding.

Environmental discussions included recycling, disposable plastics and planting trees. Regular yoga sessions involved stretching and movement, while conversations about sugar connected food choices with dental health. These were practical subjects children could discuss themselves.

At the December 2021 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and language support successful, including for children learning English as an additional language. Staff identified children needing help with speech and used targeted interventions.

In December 2021, emotional learning included recognising feelings and finding ways to manage them. Staff modelled considerate behaviour, and one child offered to hold a friend's hand during a story that worried her. That small example made kindness concrete.

New children settled quickly and developed close relationships with staff in December 2021. Parent communication also featured in the account of support during the pandemic closure, when staff worked with families on children's learning. Safeguarding practice at that date included training, child-protection discussions and continuing suitability checks.

The address is Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Oxford Business Park South, Oxford, OX4 2JY.

In December 2021, opening hours were 8.45am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday, with Friday closing at 5pm. The nursery operated throughout the year, closing for a week at Christmas and Easter. These are dated opening hours rather than a description of bookable sessions.

In December 2021, the nursery received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. That historical participation should be kept separate from a family's present entitlement.

• Workplace access. In December 2021, children of Oxfam staff were the main group served. Can families outside that workforce enrol?
• Working-day fit. The December 2021 schedule ended earlier on Fridays. Families planning around work should distinguish those historical opening hours from an agreed attendance pattern.
• Age of the assessment. The Outstanding judgement dates to December 2021. It is a dated assessment of care and education, rather than a description of today's daily practice.

For families seeking a workplace setting, Oxfam Workplace Nursery merits consideration for the environmental conversations, book-based learning and attention to emotions documented in December 2021. Its Outstanding assessment supports that historical picture. The clearest fit is with families drawn to those priorities and its workplace context.