The Nursery

Butterfly paintings became a lesson in symmetry, and snack time became an opportunity to work with numbers: in June 2024, everyday activities carried purposeful learning at The Nursery in Oxford. At its June 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Outstanding and judged safeguarding effective.

The Nursery has capacity for 24 children aged 24 to 60 months. Its address is 17 Lathbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7AT. The strongest thread through the June 2024 account is the connection between conversation, practical tasks and children's growing independence.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the June 2024 examples show how play and everyday routines brought learning into children's day.

In June 2024, small-group language activities took place daily. Staff introduced vocabulary during painting and gave children time to consider questions before answering. At snack time, children worked out how much fruit would match a displayed number. These were concrete opportunities to practise language and arithmetic with something children could see and use.

Environmental learning also involved practical tasks. In June 2024, preschool children visited a residential care home weekly for shared activities, giving them contact with an older generation beyond the nursery. Stories helped children explore emotions, while singing gave them opportunities to recognise their own developing skills.

Before children started, home visits and settling sessions helped staff get to know them in June 2024. Key persons used ongoing assessments to decide what each child needed to learn next, and staff shared learning with parents so it could continue at home.

At the June 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that the special educational needs coordinator worked closely with outside professionals to deliver personalised support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. That finding gives families a concrete support mechanism to consider, rather than a general promise of inclusion.

School preparation in June 2024 included visits from teachers to read stories and visits by children to their future schools. Children also practised dressing in school uniforms. The emphasis was on familiarity with the next stage and practical independence.

Opening hours are 08:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. The Nursery opens throughout the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

In June 2024, it received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise about an individual child's entitlement.

• Attendance and funding. How would the booking pattern and funded-hours arrangements work for your child's intended attendance?
• Settling into the next stage. The June 2024 approach combined home visits, settling sessions and school preparation. During a visit, discuss which parts would suit your child's confidence and previous experience of care.

The Nursery suits families seeking provision for children aged 24 to 60 months who value learning through conversation and practical activity. Its June 2024 account gives useful substance to the Outstanding judgement: language practice, everyday mathematics and contact with older people each had a place in children's experience. The weekday opening window is also a clear practical consideration for working families.