Rockinghorse Daycare

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Rockinghorse Daycare Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY371024 Inspection date 12/09/2008 Inspector Rosalie Mary Turner / Margaret Elizabeth Roberts

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Setting address Lime Tree Barn, Welgate, Mattishall, DEREHAM, Norfolk, NR20 3PJ Telephone number 01362 850409 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Rockinghorse Daycare is privately owned and managed. It opened in 2003 and re- registered in 2008 following a move of premises. The group operates from single storey converted premises in Mattishall, Norfolk which are easily accessible. A maximum of 24 children aged under eight years may attend the group at any one time. The group also provides care for children who are over the age of eight years. It is open each week day from 08.00 to 18.00 for 51 weeks of the year, excluding bank holidays. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 44 children attending who are in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The setting also offers care to children over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the setting

There are seven members of staff, including the two proprietors, who work with the children. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications and two are working towards a qualification. The group has achieved accreditation under the Norfolk Quality Assurance Scheme.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Rockinghorse Daycare provides very effectively for children in the EYFS. The setting knows itself well and has identified appropriate priorities for further development. The flexible planning involving parents and outside agencies, successfully enables children to make excellent progress, given their age, ability and starting points. Children are happy, contented individuals who thrive in a secure and homely learning environment.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve practices to ensure hygiene is robustly maintained with regard to serving food at mealtimes  provide more appropriate furniture for children under the age of two to fully meet their needs when being bottle fed.

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provision

Children's welfare, learning and development are successfully fostered because the proprietors have implemented robust systems to monitor and evaluate the provision. This ensures that improvements are made when necessary, for example, the management team have made changes to implement the EYFS in a relatively short period of time. All relevant documentation is maintained to a high standard This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 which ensures that the individual needs of all children are met. Staff are committed to improving their knowledge and are proactive to access further appropriate training to ensure their skills remain up to date. Children are grouped well and staff deployed effectively to promote learning.

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provision

Children are safeguarded superbly well. The meticulous recruitment and vetting procedures ensure they are cared for by a qualified and experienced staff team who support each other extremely well. The adults are exceptionally vigilant to monitor play and adapt activities to enable all children, regardless of their age or ability, to participate safely. Staff demonstrate an excellent ability to recognise the signs and symptoms of possible child abuse and robust guidance is kept to ensure they can respond quickly to their concerns.

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provision

Children's key workers work closely with parents and carers so that they are involved with their care and learning. Although parents are very supportive of the provision, there is clear guidance in place to enable them to make their concerns known. Good liaison with the local schools and outside agencies ensures that staff have all the information they require to meet children's needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are motivated to learn and they make excellent progress across all areas of learning and development from a very early age. Staff have a strong knowledge of the EYFS which they use to plan enjoyable and challenging experiences both inside and outdoors. They support children's play competently and are highly skilled in stepping back and allowing them to solve problems for themselves. All staff make thorough observations as children play and these are then used within planning to ensure that activities are well matched to individual needs. Consequently, children achieve exceedingly well as the educational programme is highly effective in supporting their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's communication and language skills are exceptionally well promoted. Staff respond to babies' sounds and model language appropriately. As a result, older children are strong conversationalists with wide vocabularies and able to make their needs known within play. Children play together very well, selecting buttons for each other during number work. They cooperate in imaginative play and are able to take turns when balancing on physical play equipment. Children experience a wide range of textures to stimulate their creative development and particularly enjoy the soft, draping scarves that are used in movement to music. They relish working with clay and are competent when using technology, such as keyboards to type out their names.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are warmly welcomed into a safe, child-centred environment where they are learning to use the resources safely. For example, children know that they must be careful when using knives to prepare their snacks. Although children have access to a range of child-sized furniture, there is no provision made for staff to sit comfortably to nurse babies to fully meet their needs when being bottle fed. Children enjoy a friendly and relaxed rapport with staff and peers and there are some obvious friendships developing. They are confident, independent and self- This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assured, freely choosing from the toys and activities presented at their level. Children have continuous free access to the outdoor environment which contributes to their understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Staff work with parents to ensure their children are provided with a varied, nutritious menu including fresh fruits and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

vegetables. The premises are very clean and staff take most necessary steps to maintain good hygiene. However, practices when serving meals to children are not as robust as in other areas to prevent the spread of infection.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are kind and considerate towards each other and are helped to learn right from wrong through the positive examples set by staff. Children access a pleasing range of positive resources, such as books, dolls and puzzles to encourage them to learn about and respect diversity. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Outstanding

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Outstanding How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration or the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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