The Treehouse

In November 2024, wellingtons, rain suits and children doing up their own fastenings gave independence a practical form at The Treehouse in Thame. Play and conversation shape its approach, with a garden extending learning outdoors. This is preschool care centred on children becoming more capable, rather than simply keeping them occupied.

Ofsted rated The Treehouse Outstanding on 20 November 2024, finding that carefully adapted teaching supported children's thinking and communication. The detail matters: staff used questions to help children solve problems, and sound games made language work playful.

Children can start after their second birthday and stay until school age. There are 32 places in total, while the session limit is 30 children; these are different measures, neither a statement of how many children attend on a particular day. Families can choose between two sessions with different finishing times.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS provides the framework for learning through play, conversation, movement and relationships, alongside early literacy, mathematics and creative exploration. At Treehouse, children initiate activities and adults also introduce planned experiences, with teaching adjusted to their developmental needs. The practical value is a day that gives children room to pursue an idea while still receiving adult guidance.

Talking receives explicit attention in the curriculum. Children discuss books, ask questions and recount experiences in sequence. Play gives them opportunities to investigate materials, try solutions and cooperate. These are connected activities: describing what happened and explaining an idea both give language a purpose.

In November 2024, speech-and-language activities included playful songs and games about the sounds at the beginnings of words. Mark-making took different forms according to children's stage of development. Younger children worked with outdoor chalk and brushes dipped in water; older children wrote name badges and entered their names using keyboards. Writing names on badges gave early writing a recognisable purpose.

Choice also extended to practical tasks. In November 2024, children selected their outdoor clothing and managed zips and buttons where they could. Adults supported independence through ordinary routines. Getting ready to play became part of the learning itself.

Outdoor and Community Life

A garden supports the current play-based approach, giving children an outdoor setting for exploration as well as the indoor rooms. The emphasis is on play in both environments, rather than treating outside time as separate from learning.

In November 2024, children also made regular use of the neighbouring forest, where running, climbing and exploring brought opportunities to judge manageable risks. That offers a concrete picture of the outdoor experiences at that time. The setting's use of its surroundings extended beyond its own garden.

Relationships and Communication

Settling begins with visits arranged after a place has been allocated, followed by a discussion of the settling policy. At least two sessions are recommended to help children establish familiarity, rather than imposed as a minimum booking requirement. This distinction matters for families planning a gradual introduction.

Parents can discuss care or development through the Open Door policy. The eyLog learning journals give families a personal login to view observations and add comments, while selected pieces of children's work are kept for a memory book. Communication therefore includes both conversation and a record parents can return to, with space for their own contributions.

In November 2024, key persons considered children's learning from the beginning and worked with parents and other professionals when additional help was needed. Children who struggled with changes between activities received tailored assistance. Less confident children were included in others' play, giving social support a practical expression.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the November 2024 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding and strong SEND support, with staff recognising concerns early and working with families and specialist services to respond. These are dated judgements about practice, rather than assurances based on a policy alone.

The current staff structure includes SENCO and designated safeguarding lead roles, alongside practitioners identified as paediatric first aiders and staff providing SEN support. These roles give families identifiable routes for discussing additional needs or welfare concerns. Children can attend while still using nappies, and staff support toilet training when a child is ready; being fully toilet trained is not an entry condition.

Preparation for school was also practical in November 2024: children practised writing their names and managing tasks for themselves. This is preparation for the next stage of learning, with everyday skills receiving attention alongside early literacy.

Sessions and Attendance

The two session choices run from 9am to 1pm and from 9am to 2.45pm. Both begin together, so the choice concerns how long a child stays rather than a separate afternoon start. The recommendation of at least two sessions is intended to support settling.

In November 2024, the setting operated during term time. Families can join its waiting list at any stage, and enquiries can be made through the contact form. Visits can be arranged by contacting the setting.

Getting There

The address is Girl Guides, Southern Road, Thame, OX9 2EP. The setting also uses Guide Headquarters, Spring Path, as its contact address for the same Thame site.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare and privately paid hours are offered. Funding information covers the 15-hour entitlement for eligible two-year-olds and the 30-hour offer for working parents of three- and four-year-olds, while Treehouse's own funded provision is stated as 27 hours a week. An entitlement and the hours this setting offers are therefore separate considerations.

Childcare vouchers and tax-free childcare are accepted. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation; the sessions and fees information sets out the two attendance choices. Eligibility conditions apply to funded childcare, so an entitlement should not be read as a guarantee of a funded place.

• Shared start, different finishes. Both sessions begin at 9am, with collection at either 1pm or 2.45pm. At a visit, discuss which length best fits your child's stamina and the family's day.
• Funding and attendance. The stated funded provision is 27 hours a week, alongside information about the 30-hour entitlement. Ask how your intended sessions would use your child's funding and what the written quotation would cover for meals and consumables.
• A gradual start. Settling visits follow allocation of a place, and at least two sessions are recommended. Discuss how those visits would be adapted to your child, especially if changes between activities are difficult.

The Treehouse suits families seeking either a shorter session finishing at 1pm or a longer day ending at 2.45pm, with play, conversation and practical independence shaping the preschool experience. Parent access to learning journals and a clear settling process add useful continuity between home and care.

The November 2024 Outstanding judgement gives this account a substantial quality foundation. Its strongest appeal lies in the concrete detail beneath that grade: purposeful early writing, outdoor exploration and support tailored to individual children. The attendance pattern remains an equally important part of the choice.