Rocking Horse Nursery

Inspection of Rocking Horse Nursery Newbury Racecourse, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 7NZ

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children arrive at nursery full of joy to start their day. Staff nurture children in a way that makes them feel loved and cared for. Children sign themselves in when they arrive. For example, they place a mini figure of themselves next to their key person's figure. They have a sense of belonging in a place where they feel very safe and secure.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children are happy, energetic and eager to explore the environment that staff have prepared. They flourish as they explore, investigate and create during play. For example, children use binoculars to investigate in the garden, moving through long bamboo to look for fairies and treasure, laughing excitedly as they do so. Indoors, staff teach children how to measure ingredients when baking. Children carefully tip flour into a bowl as they strengthen hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Babies sing with staff enthusiastically. They know the actions and excitedly clap, signalling for more at the end of the song. Children learn and progress quickly through a highly ambitious curriculum.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Staff have extremely high expectations for all children's learning and well-being. They role model kindness, care and respect, and, as a consequence, all children are exceptionally well behaved. They listen to and follow instructions, tidy away their toys and help their friends. Younger babies learn to self-soothe safely, while staff teach older children to manage any conflict with their friends by talking it through and finding a solution.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders and managers create a positive and warm environment for staff to work in. They support staff in managing their workload and well-being. Staff are celebrated and acknowledged for the hard work they do. The manager does his absolute best to motivate and inspire staff to plan and deliver an experience for families and children that is first class. The team works together seamlessly. Communication is extremely effective and this supports staff to feel secure in their role with an understanding of exactly what is expected of them. The manager works tirelessly with the team to create environments that spark awe and wonder for children and ignite their imagination. n The leadership team has developed a curriculum that focuses intently on each child's learning and development. Staff use this to meticulously plan for children's development, providing challenge and repetition to build on core skills

p.2

need to do better?

and help children learn new ones. They understand that children need to build communication and language skills to support all other areas of development. They communicate in a way that role models language and promotes new vocabulary. Children become expert communicators with sophisticated

p.2

need to do better?

17 July 2024 vocabulary. n Staff go above and beyond to ensure that all children have the opportunity to experience events that they might not access at home. For example, they visit the shop to buy gardening materials and they pay using real money. They go to the local pumpkin patch in the autumn and visit the local care home for the elderly on alternate weeks. Children are beginning to build an understanding of their world and those in it. They make relationships with different generations and experience life outside of nursery and home. This supports children to build sense of the world around them, through a rich set of experiences. n All staff make sure that children feel valued and heard. For example, they listen intently to children talking, then act on what they have agreed. Staff promote children's understanding of democracy through voting systems. For example, children vote on their favourite animal after the mobile farm visited. Children are

p.2

need to do better?

learning that they have a choice and that they can use that choice to make an impact. n The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) is extremely knowledgeable. She uses her training and knowledge to plan expertly for children's learning. She networks with other professionals to provide a team around the child approach. She works swiftly to support parents and close any gaps in learning quickly. When children are preparing to move on to school, she makes time to visit the school and partner teachers, handing over in detail about the children's needs, well-being and development so that she can be sure she has given them the absolute best start in their next setting. n Parents feel extremely lucky that their child can attend the nursery. They are very happy with all aspects of their children's care and education. They mention in particular the menu, the kind and caring team and the rapid progress their

p.3

need to do better?

children make. Parents are very thankful for the support and advice they receive from the nursery team. The deep-rooted relationships they have made with the team allow them to feel reassured and confident when they leave their child. They know their child is receiving the very best experience at the nursery.

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

Setting details

Unique reference number 110619 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10346911 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 160 Number of children on roll 252 Name of registered person Newbury Racecourse Plc

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01635 48969 Date of previous inspection 22 August 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Rocking Horse Nursery registered in 1992. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round, with the exception of bank holidays. The provider employs 51 staff. Of these, 28 staff hold early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The setting receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery 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 The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children spoke to, or communicated with, the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having 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

17 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