Hobby Horse Children's Centre

Hobby Horse Children's Centre Oxford and Cherwell College, (Banbury Campus), Mewburn Road, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 9PA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 November 2016 11 October 2013

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Strong leadership and effective self-evaluation have enabled the setting to maintain its good quality service since the previous inspection. The views of staff, parents and children are valued and acted upon as part of this process.  Partnerships with parents and other providers are strong and provide continuity in children's learning and development. Staff update parents on their children's progress regularly and share ideas to support their continued learning at home.  Staff are skilled in supporting children's early literacy skills. For example, staff worked with teachers to improve their practice in phonics and provide continuity. Children make good progress and develop a good range of skills, in preparation for starting school.  Staff are positive role models and employ a range of strategies to manage children's behaviour successfully.  The managers ensure children play in safe environments. They update risk assessments

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This provision is good

regularly. Staff are aware of the potential risks to children as they play and explore and they take steps to minimise these.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Some planned outdoor activities for older children do not provide a varied range of experiences to challenge children's learning even further.  Staff do not make the most of all opportunities to extend children's mathematical understanding.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 improve planning to make even better use of the outdoor area to further challenge older children and help those who learn best outside  guide staff to make the most of all opportunities to support children's mathematical understanding to help them make even better progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed teaching practices and the impact these have on children's learning.  The inspector held discussions with the managers, staff, children and parents.  The inspector read some of the setting's documentation, including the safeguarding policy and procedures.  The inspector sampled children's development information and records.  The inspector carried out joint observations with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe. They have received training and are aware of their duty to prevent children being drawn into situations which put them at significant risk of harm. Leaders follow safe recruitment procedures, such as checking references and carrying out suitability checks, and a thorough induction programme is in place for new staff. Leaders follow effective systems to ensure staff understand their roles, and they review the quality of teaching accurately. Leaders and staff monitor and track children's progress closely, identifying and targeting any gaps in development quickly.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff support children's communication and language development well. For example, they listen carefully to babies, responding warmly to the sounds that they make, and they engage older children in conversations, encouraging them to extend their ideas. Staff provide children with a good range of opportunities to practise their physical skills. For instance, babies are motivated to move and explore in the sensory rich indoor and outdoor environments and older children learn how to use tools to prepare fruits. Staff are skilled in helping children to develop their ideas and understanding of the world. For example, they helped older children to consider the life cycle of plants and provided a sensory polar scene for younger children to explore.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are warm, supportive and nurturing. They know children and their families well. Staff prioritise children's independence and provide plenty of opportunities for them to manage their own needs and complete tasks for themselves. For example, children put on their outside clothes and wellingtons when they go outside. Staff support children's good health effectively. For instance, staff encourage parents to provide healthy lunch boxes, and children learn about good hygiene practices and have opportunities to be physically active. Staff have created a culture which celebrates diversity and ensures that everyone feels valued. For example, children celebrate different festivals and take part in a Christmas nativity.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children explore their learning environment confidently and make choices about their play. Babies settle quickly, form close attachments with staff and are happy and secure. Children demonstrate a natural curiosity and are eager to learn. For example, older children ask questions to deepen their understanding and babies use their senses to explore and discover. Children develop good writing skills. For example, younger children make marks in paint and ice, and older children learn to write their names.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 133593 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 1061370 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 62 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person Oxford & Cherwell College Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 11 October 2013 Telephone number 01295 250687 or 01865 551662

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reference number

Hobby Horse Children's Centre registered in 1992. It operates in Banbury, Oxfordshire. It is open Monday to Friday, from 8am until 6pm, all year except bank holidays. The setting employs 15 staff. Of these, 13 hold relevant qualifications at level 3 and level 4. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years.

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reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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reference number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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