Sparkling Minds Pre-School & Day Nursery in Bicester aims to ignite children's curiosity and ideas while fostering a sense of extended family for parents. The nursery caters to different age groups, with the 'Sunbeam Room' for babies, the 'Rainbow Room' for 2 to 3-year-olds, and the 'Starlight Room' as the pre-school base for 3 to 4-year-olds.
They emphasise celebrating diversity, understanding British Values, and preparing children for school both practically and emotionally with the help of highly qualified staff, including an experienced Early Years Teacher. The nursery boasts three large, age-appropriate outdoor play areas and a dedicated Forest School area, utilising nature as a rich learning resource to support physical development and cover the entire Early Years curriculum.
Sparkling Minds strives to provide a nurturing environment that goes beyond basic EYFS expectations, offering a comprehensive programme that includes healthy meals, online learning journals, a secure parent app, Forest School activities, and ongoing professional development for their team. They are committed to supporting families with funding options and understanding the financial impact of childcare costs.
Our ethos
Sparkling Minds encourages children to "Be kind" through friendly smiles and helpful hands, "Be honest" by telling the truth and doing the right thing, "Be fair" through turn-taking and respecting others' views, and "Be respectful" by considering others and caring for the environment. They believe their nurturing environment is "above and beyond the basic EYFS expectations" and offer a choice for families to select "Better than Basic" care for their child.
What it's like
Children thrive in this nurturing and welcoming setting, building warm and caring attachments with staff and feeling emotionally secure. Staff know children well, providing a stimulating learning environment and activities that effectively promote individual next steps in learning. They prioritise supporting children and families for transitions to other settings like school.
Fees are charged per full day for non-funded childcare. This rate includes all meals, drinks, and healthy snacks, with no extra charges applied for consumables or additional services. Late collections may incur an extra invoice.
Funding accepted
Good to know
Food
Three nutritious meals, drinks & healthy snacks are included in the full day fee for non-funded childcare, and provided for funded-only sessions that include snack or mealtimes. Private costs for Blended Choice cover daily healthy breakfasts, snacks, hot cooked meals and drinks.
Opening hours
8am – 6pm
Age range
9 months to 4 years
Term time / All Year
All Year
Session types
Full day, Afternoon session
Last inspected 16 June 2023
What it's like to attend
Children thrive in this nurturing and welcoming setting, building warm and caring attachments with staff and feeling emotionally secure. Staff know children well, providing a stimulating learning environment and activities that effectively promote individual next steps in learning. They prioritise supporting children and families for transitions to other settings like school.
Inspector highlights
Areas to develop
Inclusion & environment
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported effectively. Staff are proactive in seeking early help for children when needed. The special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENCo) works effectively with parents and professionals involved in the children's care to fully support them to achieve. This is helping to improve outcomes for these children.
Children develop their physical skills through a range of stimulating experiences, such as confidently manoeuvring ride-on toys around obstacles. They spend lots of time in the outdoor area and learn to manage their own safety, for example, when they take supervised risks climbing and balancing on equipment outside.
My child has attended this nursery for several months and I can see that he is happy and eager to go every day. He has good relationships with the staff and other kids and the setting has lots of natural light and outdoor space including grassed areas and a sandpit. The kids are outside everyday and the staff are attentive. The nursery always sends notifications about possible illnesses going around the nursery which is helpful. Would recommend.
Read on Google
Reviews from Google for Sparkling Minds Pre-School and Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Date: December 2010
Sparkling Minds Pre-school and Day Nursery registered under the current ownership in 2010 and is located in Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire. The nursery is open on weekdays from 8am until 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. There are 20 members of staff, 14 of whom have relevant qualifications, including two with qualified teacher status and one with early years professional status. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for three- and four-year-old children.
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Sparkling Minds Pre-School and Day Nursery.
Kidlington · OX5 3DH
Bicester · OX26 1EG
Bicester · OX26 6DJ
Bicester · OX25 2RD
Bicester · OX26 6PY
Bicester · OX26 4TP
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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more
