The Old Station Nursery Bampton

In June 2026, real vegetables in pretend cooking, storytelling props and children's involvement in assessing garden risks gave Bampton's daily learning a practical character. The Old Station Nursery Bampton, on Bowling Green Close, has capacity for 38 children and accepts ages from 3 to 60 months.

The dated judgements for 2 June 2026 were Expected standard for achievement, behaviour and routines, welfare, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership; safeguarding standards were met. That assessment came with clear improvement priorities: hygiene routines, explanations of behaviour for younger children, and more consistent teaching interactions. These matter alongside the appealing activities.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: in everyday terms, play and routines help children develop language, physical skills and independence. In June 2026, activities included drawing and early writing, creative play, water and sand, with children's interests informing what staff planned.

Language ran through ordinary experiences. During June 2026, children listened to stories supported by props, talked while threading beads, and explored soil and water with adults. These gave conversations something concrete to build on. Small groups also sang a welcome song using children's names, making learning one another's names part of the activity.

Pretend cooking had real ingredients. In June 2026, preschool children used vegetables and herbs in imaginative play, while older children pretended to prepare broccoli and cheese soup. Younger children explored community helpers through emergency-service vehicles and pictures of nearby services. Familiar objects and roles connected their play with everyday life.

Rooms and Ages

Rainbow Room and Coral Room children made sandwiches for tea in November 2024. They selected fillings and discussed handwashing before preparing food. This was an exercise in making choices and looking after themselves, as well as preparing something to eat; it is a dated example of the rooms' activities rather than a recurring session.

Outdoor and Community Life

In June 2026, outdoor experiences included bubbles for younger children and a climbing frame, balancing boards and ball games for older ones. The equipment gave children different ways to practise movement, from climbing steps to catching.

Older children also helped assess risks in the garden before playing there. Safety became something to discuss and consider themselves. Daily outdoor play formed part of the routine at that time.

At the June 2026 inspection, Ofsted found close relationships with key persons, sensitive support during room changes, and timely help for children facing barriers to learning, including SEND, alongside steady progress from children's starting points. For families, the important combination was familiarity with individual children and collaboration with parents and outside professionals when needed.

In June 2026, staff and leaders worked with speech and language therapists where appropriate. Targeted funding bought resources linked to children's interests, including an animal-themed lotto game used for turn-taking, relationships and early mathematical learning. Support could therefore take the form of a specific activity a child wanted to join.

Daily independence also featured in June 2026: younger children fed themselves, while older children managed dressing-up clothes and familiar routines. Mealtimes included conversations about food origins, healthy eating and toothbrushing. Children ate freshly prepared meals at that time.

There were practical shortcomings. In June 2026, some staff moved from wiping noses to helping with meals without washing their hands; food cooling and bottle handling also needed greater consistency. Younger children's behaviour was sometimes redirected without explaining why, and some adults supervised play rather than using it to extend learning. These were specific areas requiring improvement, with direct implications for daily care and teaching.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and Christmas. That opening window is useful for planning work and family routines.

Getting There

The address is Bowling Green Close, Bampton, OX18 2NJ.

• Hygiene during care and meals. In June 2026, handwashing, bottle handling and food cooling were inconsistent among some staff. Families should ask what supervision and daily checks now address those specific practices.
• Younger children's behaviour and teaching. June 2026 priorities included explaining behavioural expectations and making adult interactions more purposeful. During a visit, ask how staff explain the effect of children's actions and extend their play.
• Inspection context. The June 2026 inspection followed information about the provider and a risk assessment. Leaders had also strengthened whistleblowing and referral procedures following a notification. Ask for further information about that context and the changes made.
• Planning a child's start. With an all-year opening pattern and Christmas closures, the practical fit depends on the booked arrangement. Before joining, ask for a written quotation covering attendance, funded hours, meals and consumables, together with the settling arrangements for your child.

Bampton merits consideration for families seeking care across the year who value practical play, outdoor movement and learning woven into everyday routines. The June 2026 examples give those preferences substance: children used real ingredients, explored stories and took part in garden safety discussions.

The decision also needs to weigh the improvement priorities. Consistency in hygiene, younger children's behaviour support and teaching interactions deserves as much attention as the activities themselves. For a family choosing care for a baby or younger child, those daily practices are central to the choice.