Rocking Horse Childcare

Inspection of Rocking Horse Childcare 24 Chancellor Road, SOUTHEND-ON-SEA SS1 2AS

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy, settled and confident in this welcoming setting. They receive a friendly and warm welcome from staff, with whom they have formed secure bonds. Staff treat the children with kindness and respect. They listen to, and act on, the views and ideas of children. Children have formed friendships and are considerate of others. For example, they quickly apologise when they accidentally break something their friend has made.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a well-thought-out and ambitious curriculum that builds on what they already know and can do. Staff have high expectations of the children and know them and their individual needs well. They tailor their interactions with the children around their individual development needs. Staff are effective in engaging with other professionals when required. Personalised strategies are in place to support children who require additional support. This ensures all children make progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Children are provided with experiences to broaden their knowledge about the world around them. For example, they have regular trips in and around the local community. They visit the local library, museums and shops. They take part in beach school sessions. This provides them with an opportunity to broaden their knowledge and learn how to keep themselves safe when outside the setting.

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need to do better?

n The leadership team is committed to providing high-quality care and education. They are reflective and have a clear and ambitious vision for the setting, which is shared with the team. They welcome support from their local authority advisers and seek relevant training opportunities. They continually evaluate and adapt the provision, considering the views of parents, children and staff. n Staff support children's emerging communication skills well. Staff who work with young children name objects and draw children's attention to the colours, shapes and features of the items they play with. They introduce more complex words into play, such as brachiosaurus, and children attempt to copy these words. Staff who work with older children use activities to introduce new words to children. For instance, they encourage children to find out and use the correct names for different types of shells and seaweed they have found at the beach.

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need to do better?

This helps children learn new vocabulary and supports their good communication and language development. n Children are eager to participate in a wide range of activities and experiences that staff provide. Children can choose what activities to engage in and lead their play. Staff use their interactions during children's play to further their knowledge. They know when to join in with children's play and when to take a

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need to do better?

7 May 2025 step back. This means that children are developing positive attitudes to learning. However, transitions at lunchtime are not as well organised as the rest of the day, and this can cause some children to become disengaged with their learning at this time. n Children generally behave well and play cooperatively together. Staff support children to be polite and kind to each other. However, when children need reminders about the rules, the reasons behind the rules are not always explained to them. As a result, children do not always gain a clear understanding of why the rules are in place to enable them to self-regulate their behaviour. n The leadership team is focused on building strong partnerships with parents. As a result, parents are very positive about the setting. They feel the setting goes above and beyond to support the whole family. Parents say their children are happy and settled and that their individual needs are met. They are kept

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need to do better?

informed of their children's progress and next steps to enable them to support their children's learning at home. n Staff are offered support and coaching to help them carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively. They are encouraged to complete regular training courses and attend supervision meetings. Staff enjoy their roles and say their well-being is supported. They are proud to work at the setting. This means that children are cared for by happy and motivated staff.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

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

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should:

n enhance the organisation of transition times to ensure that children are fully engaged at these times n consistently support children's understanding of why there are rules in place so that they can learn to self-regulate their behaviour.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2732475 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10401679 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 40 Number of children on roll 61 Name of registered person Rocking Horse Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01702616531 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Rocking Horse Childcare Ltd registered in 2023 and is based in Southend on Sea. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff, 14 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children 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 inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out several joint observations with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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

7 May 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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