Rocking Horse Nursery

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. Rocking Horse Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY104146 Inspection date 12/02/2009 Inspector Beverley Blackburn

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Setting address The Old Brewery House, Bath Road, Shaw, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 8EF Telephone number 01225 700894 Email fiona@breweryhouse.co.uk 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

Rocking Horse Nursery opened in 2002 and is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The nursery also offers after school care. It operates from a detached house in the village of Shaw, on the outskirts of the town of Melksham in Wiltshire. A maximum of 39 children may attend at any one time. The nursery is open from 08:00 to 18:00, all year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area, which includes a grass and paved area, as well as an allotment and wooded walk area.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 88 children on roll, all in the early years age range. The nursery is in receipt of funding for early education. Children come from a wide catchment area. The nursery supports children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and children with English as an additional Language. There are links with the local schools.

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Description of the setting

The nursery employs 10 staff who works directly with the children, and in addition, a chef and a cleaner. Seven staff hold an early years qualification and one is working towards a NVQ level3 award.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children are cared for in a stimulating environment, which promotes their welfare and learning and development needs very well. Individual children needs are met effectively because staff are proactive in working with parents and other professionals, and plan and provide an inclusive learning environment. The nursery has clear and well targeted plans in place for future improvement to enhance the children's learning experiences.

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further?

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

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further?

 work collaboratively within the setting to share knowledge, question practice and test new ideas - with high aspirations for every child  provide a range of activities that enable children to learn about numbers, counting and calculating through practical situations.

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provision

The nursery has a strong commitment to ensuring all information, including the policies and procedures which underpin its effective management, is shared with parents and carers. For example, the notice board displays comprehensive information detailing the daily programme and positive comments made by the children about the activities they have enjoyed. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The manager has began to identify the strengths of the nursery, as well as aspects for improvements, although this process of self-evaluation does not yet include input by the staff team or others. She has implemented a new registration system in order to help her plan more effectively with regards to children's places, staffing levels and deployment. Plans are already in place to improve the outdoor environment and to promote the professional development of staff. Since the last

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provision

inspection, improvements have been made to address the recommendations, which have had a positive impact on the experiences for children. For example, resources are clearly labelled and organised to enable easy access. Most staff are confident and competent in delivering the nursery programme to reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.

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provision

Staff demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children. Clear procedures are in place and experience has shown, are effective in practice. The nursery environment is safe and secure for children due to the rigour of the risk assessment process. Daily checks are undertaken covering the whole of the nursery both indoors and outdoors. All staff are aware of their responsibility in promoting a safe environment and promoting children's understanding of keeping themselves safe. For example, children participate in the daily checking of the nursery and resources with good staff support.

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provision

The nursery has established effective ways of communicating with parents and carers. Comprehensive information is gathered at the start of a child's placement, promoting good continuity in both care and learning. This two-way flow of information continues throughout the child's time at the nursery. Parents are actively involved in the assessment process of their child's learning and development, through the use of the a comments sheet known as the 'Parent's Voice'. This enables the staff to take account of the parent's knowledge of their child's development and to use this information in planning for individual learning. The nursery is proactive in establishing good links to other professionals and agencies. For example, the head teacher of the local school visits the nursery and contributes to the Early Years Foundation Stage programme, and visits from the speech therapist supports children's individual needs. There are also close links in

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provision

with the local Children's Centre and its outreach staff.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's learning is well supported through the provision of a good range of resources, a well- planned, interesting environment and interaction with knowledgeable and skilful staff. Children enjoy variety of stimulating activities both indoor and outdoors. They explore the spacious garden where they run and use climbing equipment such as climbing frame and a special tree. Children show delight in using their 'Listening Sticks' to experiment in making and hearing sounds around the garden. While doing this, they respond positively to staff's guidance about behaving safely. Children learn to use a range of tools with great skill, for example, they enthusiastically, with support from the staff, use the mincer, to mince the fruits for making marmalade. They enjoy activities such as cooking, which helps in developing their understanding of problem solving, reasoning and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

numeracy. However, there is a lack activities that promote the practical use of calculation, such as addition and subtraction. The younger children experience a variety of activities to promote their all-round development. They enjoy playing with simple construction bricks, sensory toys, mark-making materials and art and craft such as potato printing. Staff are effective in promoting children's communication skills, for example, by repeating words back to the very youngest children to help consolidate new vocabulary, and using effective open questioning when supporting older children in their activities. Children respond well to staff instructions, they are polite and considerate with each other, always using please, thank you and excuse me. Children receive praise and encouragement for their achievement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making good progress in all areas of learning. Staff carry out regular observation and record these in each child's learning journey journal. They make assessments, based on their observations, as to where children are in their learning and development and plan activities to promote progress towards the early goals. The planning takes account of children's interests and information from parents. Most staff have a good knowledge of the EYFS learning and development requirements and are confident in helping children learn appropriately both in and out of doors.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's healthy lifestyle is promoted effectively. They enjoy regular physical exercise and learn about healthy eating. Meals are well balanced and nutritious and clearly enjoyed by the children, who often ask for seconds. Staff are well aware of children with particular dietary needs and work in partnership with parents to provide appropriate meals and snacks. Children's needs for rest and sleep are met well as individual routine are considered. Children's personal hygiene is promoted effectively by staff, and children demonstrate their understanding of routine. Children understand about keeping themselves safe while at the nursery and on outings, where they learn about road safety and behaving safely together. For example, by forming a crocodile and holding on to the rope as they make their way to the library. The good relationship between the staff and parents/ carers helps children to succeed and promotes continuity of care and learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is 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? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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 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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