Staff at a nursery in Oxfordshire are celebrating after achieving ‘outstanding’ Ofsted ratings in all key areas.

St. Hugh of Lincoln Nursery School in Witney offers "innovative and inspiring" teaching and children and families "build exceptional and meaningful bonds with all staff", said an inspector.

The nursery in Curbridge Road was praised for building "trusting relationships" with children before they even start nursery through home visits and settling-in sessions.

"The warm welcome on arrival for all children includes children who speak English as an additional language. For example, all staff greet children and their parents in their range of home languages," said Inspector Amanda Perkin.

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Children "learn to be highly independent from an extremely early age" with older children helping younger friends and children voting each morning to select the snack of their choice.

The report, following an inspection in September, said: "Children develop an extremely strong love of books and reading from the moment they join the nursery. 

"Children continually hear new words. For example, staff weave new words into their vocabulary such as 'amphibian' and 'heart rate' to challenge children's speaking skills further."

Leaders and staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) exceptionally well and "staff have a real sense of pride for working at the nursery".

"Staff comment on how much they love the work they do. Leaders and staff demonstrate passion and dedication to the children and families in their care," said the report.

The inspector found the curriculum "exceptionally well designed, with a strong focus on communication and language and personal development," and "staff have an exceptionally clear understanding" of why they plan the activities and experiences.

Children "feel extremely safe and secure" she said, and "staff are completely respectful of children's choice and fully value their opinions".

Parents stated "their children blossom at the nursery, meeting and exceeding their milestones, and are fully prepared for school."

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Nursery manager Claire Hemsley, said: "We are over the moon to have retained our Outstanding report and this has been gained through hard work and dedication from all the staff and forming close relations with our families and working alongside outside agencies.

"The inspection was very thorough, however the inspector made us all feel at ease throughout the day."

She added: "Since the change in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework in 2021, we have been able to implement our own style of teaching by following individual curriculums, we have been able to spend increased quality times with the children, identifying and supporting children in their own style and tailored to their individual next steps of development.

"We have a fantastic intergenerational partnership with Millers Grange Care home who we visit each week and spend time with the residents reading, cooking and arts and crafts."