Rockinghorse Daycare

Inspection of Rockinghorse Daycare Lime Tree Barn, Welgate, Mattishall, DEREHAM, Norfolk NR20 3PJ

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive at the nursery happy and eager to join their peers to play and explore. They receive a warm welcome from staff, which helps them to settle quickly. The strong relationships between the children and staff, promotes children's confidence and self-esteem. Children are confident communicators and are eager to engage in conversations as they play. Staff provide an exciting environment, which captures children's interest. For example, young children appear fascinated with a solar-powered water fountain. Through exploration they begin to understand that they can affect the flow by covering the panel.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well and show high levels of engagement in their play. Staff interact and facilitate children's play well to extend their learning. For instance, they engage in children's make-believe play about pirates by introducing a treasure hunt. All children excitedly join in the hunt. They listen attentively to staff and cover their eyes while the treasure is hidden in the garden. Staff encourage children to count and compare the amounts of treasure they find. Staff offer praise and encouragement to help children to persist.

p.2

The provision is good

Children learn about their local community through regular outings. Staff use these opportunities to provide the children with first-hand experiences of the natural world. For instance, they visit ponds and observe the life cycle of frogs and ducks. Children collect natural materials they find on their walks to create collages. Staff use these as talking points to explain to children the changes that occur with the seasons.

p.2

need to do better?

n Parents speak extremely highly of the staff and describe them as being 'approachable' and 'caring'. They comment on staff 'embracing children's characters' and state how much they appreciate the experiences they provide, such as trips around the village. Staff provide parents with regular updates about their children's care and learning. This includes what they want children to learn next and ways in which parents can support their child at home. This helps to provide children with consistency in their learning. n Parents' professional skills are fully utilised as they visit the nursery to talk about their different roles. For example, parents who are farmers taught the children how to feed lambs. These meaningful experiences help children to gain awareness of different occupations and ways of life. n Managers and staff focus on children becoming confident communicators. For instance, staff in the baby room engage in playful interactions, such as

p.2

need to do better?

peekaboo, and comment as they play, which babies quickly imitate. Older children engage in meaningful discussions. Staff introduce new words, such as

p.2

need to do better?

4 July 2024 'squishy' and 'rough', to aid their discussion about textures. They ask questions to encourage children to think and reflect. Staff model active listening to support children in developing their listening skills and responding to each other. n Staff promote children's good health well. Children learn where some of their healthy food comes from. For instance, they grow and harvest vegetables in the garden to create seasonal meals they enjoy for tea. Children care for the strawberry plants and help to pick apples, which they often enjoy alongside other healthy options for snack. This helps to contribute towards children adopting good healthy eating habits. n Children behave well. They demonstrate kindness to each other. For instance, older children collect tissues for younger children and staff quickly praise children for their kind actions. Staff are good role models, they reinforce behavioural expectations in a calm manner and provide reasons why rules are in

p.2

need to do better?

place. Children use please and thank you when making requests and learn to take turns with equipment. n Staff support children to develop their independence, such as dressing for outdoor play and selecting toys and activities. At times, staff do not encourage children to complete small tasks to promote their growing sense of responsibility and ability to do things for themselves. n Managers prioritise training and development to support staff to continually extend their qualifications and skills. Staff confirm they feel supported and enjoy their role in the nursery. This has a positive impact on children's care, learning and progress.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n support staff to encourage children to take responsibility for small tasks that develop their independence.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY371024 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10344291 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Rockinghorse Daycare

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01362 850409 Date of previous inspection 21 August 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Rockinghorse Daycare registered in 2008. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including a member of staff with early years professional status. The nursery opens from 8am to 6pm from Monday to Friday all year round, with closures on bank holidays and a week for Christmas. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n A manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this had on children's learning. n Parents provided verbal feedback during the inspection. The inspector took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with a manager to assess the impact of staff's teaching on children's learning.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

4 July 2024 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6