Rockinghorse Nursery

Rockinghorse Nursery 6 & 8 Great Melton Road, Hethersett, Norfolk, NR9 3AB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 January 2018 25 July 2017

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 Staff do not gather enough precise information from parents about children's learning at home prior to starting at the nursery. This means starting points in learning are not identified quickly enough.  Staff do not use ongoing observations and assessments of children's learning effectively to clearly identify what children need to learn next. Activities provided do not sufficiently challenge and stimulate children to keep them motivated and interested.  Supervision of staff is in its infancy and does not focus on enhancing the quality of teaching throughout the staff team to the highest levels.  Staff do not consistently support children to develop self-care skills that help them become highly independent.

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It has the following strengths

 The management team has addressed the actions set at the last inspection to bring about improvement in the areas highlighted at that time. Staff records are now accurate and all staff hold relevant suitable person checks. Robust recruitment and induction procedures are in place for any new staff to help to ensure that they are suitable for their role.  Children have daily opportunities for exercise and fresh air in the outdoor areas. This helps to promote their physical development and supports their well-being.  Partnerships with parents are friendly and trusting. Parents state that they are happy with the service provided and comment that they recommend the setting to other parents.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure that detailed information is gathered from parents about what a child already knows and can do, when they first start at the nursery 19/02/2018

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Due Date

 ensure that information from ongoing observations and children's assessments is used effectively to clearly identify their next steps in their learning 19/02/2018

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Due Date

 improve the quality of provision to ensure that all children experience engaging and challenging experiences to support them to make good progress 05/02/2018

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Due Date

 develop staff practice to raise the quality of teaching, so that children benefit from highly stimulating learning experiences. 19/02/2018

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 help older children to become more independent in managing their personal care needs.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with children and staff during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Although the setting has made some progress since the last inspection, they have not made enough progress to provide good-quality learning opportunities for all children. Staff supervisory meetings do not help the manager to monitor staff performance effectively. However, the management team is committed to establishing a good-quality care and learning experience for children. With support from the local authority, staff have identified areas to improve the nursery further. Staff seek additional training to further their knowledge and skills. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff attend relevant training and fully understand their responsibility to keep children safe. They know what to do should they have any concerns about the welfare of a child.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff do not involve parents in their children's learning from the outset. They do not gather enough precise information about children's capabilities when they first start at the nursery to identify their needs accurately. Furthermore, staff do not always use their knowledge of children appropriately, to identify their next steps in learning and ensure they continue to achieve well. Staff recognise that children learn through play and generally support them to engage in activities. At times, staff interaction with children is good. They get down to children's level and talk to them as they play. Staff gently remind children about the need to share and take turns with popular toys. They respond well, for example, to babies' vocalisations. Staff sing rhymes and use hand puppets. They introduce new words and encourage babies to imitate the sounds animals make.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Staff are friendly, and children have positive relationships with their key person. Staff communicate effectively with one another to meet children's care and learning needs. However, for some children, staff's teaching does not always provide a stimulating and challenging learning environment to help them make the best possible progress. At times, children lose interest and wander around the room, and lapses in behaviour occur. Staff supervise children appropriately. They talk to children in a calm, respectful manner as they remind them of the nursery rules. Older children are not always able to manage their personal needs independently, and need to ask staff for help to use the toilet, as access to the bathroom areas is somewhat restricted.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Children generally enjoy their time at the nursery. Babies have ample space to move and practice their early walking skills. However, weaknesses in planning for children's ongoing learning mean that staff do not fully support children to make the best progress. Nonetheless, children acquire some basic skills in readiness for the next stage in their learning, including their eventual move on to school. Children are confident to select what they want to do and lead their own play. Children listen and respond well to staff's instructions. They enjoy physical play and confidently pedal bicycles, carefully manoeuvring around obstacles.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 254246 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 1110244 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 - 4 Total number of places 33 Number of children on roll 48 Name of registered person Marilyn Audrey Mills

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 25 July 2017 Telephone number 01603 811048

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reference number

Rockinghorse Nursery registered in 1993. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for a week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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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