Rocking Horse Kindergarten

Inspection of Rocking Horse Kindergarten Rocking Horse, Day Nursery, Giles Close, COVENTRY CV6 4DZ

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The health and welfare of children in this setting is compromised. This is because staff do not have a secure knowledge of the local safeguarding procedures for reporting concerns about children's welfare, if required. Equipment used for children sleeping and nappy changing is not maintained in some areas of the setting. This compromises the health and safety of children. That said, children arrive happy and settle into their day. They receive a warm welcome from staff, who are gentle, kind and nurturing towards them. Children build close relationships with staff, who cater well for their emotional needs. This helps children to feel secure in their care.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff provide children with some interesting activities to help them engage in learning experiences, such as encouraging young babies to use their senses to explore shiny objects. Babies show interest and look closely as they see their reflection. However, staff's understanding and implementation of the curriculum is not consistent across the setting.

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The provision is inadequate

Children behave well and, in general, they respond appropriately to the gentle reminders provided by staff. Staff give timely praise when children are kind or helpful towards others. This helps children to know the behaviour that is expected of them. Children gain some of the skills to help prepare them for their eventual move on to school.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have not ensured that staff's knowledge of how to protect children from risks of possible harm or abuse is kept current. Although staff can identify signs that indicate a child may be at risk of abuse, they lack the knowledge of the local child protection procedures to escalate their concerns about children's safety and welfare. This does not ensure that information is shared with local safeguarding partners in a timely manner, if required. n Leaders have not ensured that the equipment used for children is hygienic and appropriate for use, to ensure children's health and safety. Bins containing used nappies have missing lids, which means the odours are strong and the contents are accessible to children. Several mats used for sleeping children are split with exposed foam, which traps dirt and poses further safety risks for children if the foam pieces break away. n Leaders have developed a curriculum that covers all areas of learning. However,

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need to do better?

some staff do not understand the sequence of learning that children need to follow to make consistent progress. For example, the expectations for younger children to focus, concentrate and be able to share with their peers are too high, when there is other learning which needs to take place before this.

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need to do better?

16 April 2025 n The arrangements for the supervision of staff are not effective. Managers do not provide staff with the necessary training, guidance and support they need to help them improve their knowledge and skills in order to fulfil their roles effectively. n Staff promote children's independence in all areas of the setting. Children show increasing competence in completing tasks for themselves. For example, dressing and managing their personal care. The oldest children show pride as they help to tidy away toys and then set the tables for lunch. n Staff promote children's communication and language well. They capture the youngest children's interests and engage them effectively in singing and following actions. Children enjoy regular stories throughout the day, and staff provide opportunities for them to express their thoughts and ideas. Children build a broad vocabulary and become confident and articulate talkers over time.

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need to do better?

n Staff have established appropriate links with other professionals to ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities have individual plans in place. This helps them to make some progress from their starting points. n Parents are happy with the setting. They say how friendly and supportive the staff are and that they value the daily communication they receive about their child's care and learning, both at collection times and online.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

ensure staff have the required knowledge and understanding of local safeguarding procedures and know how to escalate their concerns about a child's safety and welfare to the appropriate safeguarding partners when required 30/05/2025

p.3

Due date

make sure that the equipment used for children is fit for purpose and maintained to ensure their health and safety 30/05/2025

p.3

Due date

16 April 2025 support staff to provide a curriculum that is sequenced to build on what children already know and can do 30/05/2025

p.3

Due date

implement effective supervision of staff to ensure they receive the necessary support to gain the skills and knowledge required to fulfil their roles and responsibilities. 30/05/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY459971 Local authority Coventry Inspection number 10393597 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 65 Number of children on roll 65 Name of registered person Simnir Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 02476 667855 Date of previous inspection 17 November 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Rocking Horse Kindergarten registered in 2013 and is located in Coventry. The provider employs 22 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an early years qualification at level 5, ten at level 3 and eight at level 2. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged from nine months to school age.

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Inspection activities

n The manager showed the inspector all areas of the premises and discussed how staff ensure that the premises are safe and suitable for children to attend. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching throughout the inspection and considered the impact this has on children's learning. A joint evaluation of the quality of teaching during an activity took place between the manager and the inspector. n The inspector spoke to parents at appropriate times and took account of their written views of the setting. n The inspector spoke to children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector held a meeting with the leader and managers and discussed how the setting was organised. The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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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 April 2025 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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