The Rocking Horse Nursery

Inspection of The Rocking Horse Nursery 5 Victoria Avenue, Finchley, London N3 1BD

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children have strong attachments with staff and their emotional well-being is extremely well supported. Staff are highly sensitive to children's and babies' individual needs. Children develop high levels of confidence and show strong self- assurance, due to the close and considered support they receive. Staff consistently provide children with clear explanations to help them understand the routines of the day. Children work cooperatively and learn to resolve any disputes. Staff skilfully create a balanced environment that is both calm and active. They expertly use every opportunity to find out what interests each and every child. They provide a stimulating curriculum planned with creativity and imagination, designed to keep children interested and motivated. Children explore and investigate with enthusiasm in the outdoors. Older children are confident to share their knowledge of the solar system. They are excited to describe the planet Mars as being 'very

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The provision is outstanding

dusty'. They are thrilled to drop marbles into a tray filled with flour and chocolate powder to replicate the surface of Mars. They excitedly raise their hands when asked if they can remember which planet is closer to the Sun. It is clear that children have consolidated their learning as they accurately share that it is Mercury. Staff skilfully include mathematical language with children as they count and measure resources. Children proudly share how they have made volcanoes at home with their parents. Staff enable children to confidently use a wide range of vocabulary to express their learning, such as 'lava, ash' and 'erupt' to describe what can happen to a volcano.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are highly effective in their approach. They work alongside staff daily and tasks are equally shared. This is in order to provide an equitable and considered environment. Staff say that they feel extremely supported in their roles and that they have many opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. n Staff make children's emotional well-being a priority. They ensure that parents are fully involved, including during transitions. Children learn how to cope with change and continue to build high levels of self-esteem in a safe and well managed environment, with staff who show they really care about them individually. n Staff consistently engage in high-quality interactions with children to support their well-being and learning. They make sure they are at children's level as they provide them with physical reassurance and eye contact. They explain to children what they are doing, including if they have to move away momentarily.

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need to do better?

This provides an exceptionally secure and nurturing environment for children. As a result, children are very settled and behave and play extremely well together. n Leaders, managers and staff plan and implement an excellent curriculum that

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need to do better?

16 June 2021 focuses on children's individual learning. An online system is used that is efficient and easy to access for both parents and staff. Children's next steps are carefully considered by making use of the assessment system. This is reinforced by staff's knowledge of their key children and excellent communication with parents. n Staff work extremely well with other professionals to prepare children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, for the next stage in learning and to build everyday skills for life. This includes successful, focused support when children need extra help to develop, for example their communication and language skills. n Parents speak highly of the managers and staff. They appreciate that they spend considerable time getting to know them and their children. They say that staff provide high-quality activities which engage and motivate children. They

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need to do better?

appreciate that staff are sensitive and responsive to their children's individual needs. n Staff go above and beyond in their attempts to engage with parents, who are currently unable to come into the setting due to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. They organise fun activities at the entrances for children and parents so they can complete these together for a positive start to the day. n Lunchtimes are a happy and joyous occasion. Children and adults sit together in a sociable group as they enjoy the nutritious food offered. Children's individual water bottles are readily available, and they are regularly reminded to drink so that they remain hydrated in hot weather. This approach supports children's health, well-being and social skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff carry out meticulous risk assessments to prioritise children's safety. They are extremely confident about procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child's welfare. This includes in the event of an allegation made against a member of staff. Staff supervise children vigilantly during their play to provide them with the support they need to stay safe. They communicate with other professionals, including health care professionals, and ensure that information is regularly reviewed and updated. There are robust recruitment procedures in place. Induction procedures for new staff are highly detailed and supportive. Ongoing suitability checks help ensure that all staff remain suitable in their role.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY366697 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10196965 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 76 Number of children on roll 100 Name of registered person The Rocking Horse Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0208 3463682 Date of previous inspection 9 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The Rocking Horse Nursery registered in May 2008. It is located in Finchley, in the London Borough of Barnet. The nursery operates from 7.45am until 6.15pm for 50 weeks of the year. There are 27 members of staff. Of whom, one holds early years professional status, three hold qualified teacher status and 23 hold relevant early years qualifications from level 2 to level 7.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors Catherine Greene Siobhan O'Callaghan

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager led the inspectors on a learning walk and told them about what they want children to learn at the nursery. n The manager carried out joint observations with the inspectors. They looked at how well practitioners teach children what they want them to learn. n Leaders held discussions with the inspectors throughout the inspection. n Children and parents talked to the inspector about their experiences of the nursery. n The inspectors looked at documents relating to the suitability of those working with children, such as their qualifications and first-aid certificate. n This inspection was carried out following Ofsted's risk assessment process, after the provider notified us of a significant event.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

16 June 2021 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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