The Rocking Horse Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are keen to start their day at nursery. They rush through the door and confidently wave goodbye to their parents. The happy, relaxed atmosphere helps children to settle quickly.

Children snuggle with the familiar staff for reassurance if they need to. They show that they feel safe and secure in the staff's care. Children show high levels of engagement.

Staff ignite younger children's imaginations and curiosity. For example, children get involved in using natural resources, such as pebbles and bark, to make a 'dinosaur swamp'. With the help of staff, they recall the events from a story about dinosaurs and creat...e a volcano, using scarves as 'melting lava'.

This helps children to develop new knowledge and understanding and make connections in their play. Children are encouraged to act out some of the story using the words they remember, developing their communication and language skills. Children demonstrate awareness of expected behaviours.

They are kind and considerate of each other. Children learn to share and take turns, with gentle reminders of the nursery 'promises' offered by staff. Staff talk to the children about their emotions and how they are feeling.

All children receive good levels of support and reassurance from the staff. This has a positive effect on children's confidence, behaviour and emotional well-being.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

Since the last inspection, there has been a high turnover of staff.

However, there have been significant improvements made with the support of senior leaders. Staff use their observations of the children as they play to help them to identify what children need to learn next. Generally, staff use knowledge of their key children to plan stimulating activities and experiences that they know the children will enjoy.

As a result, children make good progress in their learning.Staff give thorough verbal and written handovers to parents and advise them about their children's day. Parents comment that they are very happy with the information shared from nursery to home.

This effective communication supports the relationships between home and nursery. Parents comment that they have 'trust' in senior leaders as they can see the improvements that have been made.Staff speak slowly and clearly, using simple words and phrases to support children's understanding.

This places a strong focus on children's communication skills. In addition, staff describe what children are doing and ask lots of questions. However, staff do not always ask open-ended questions or give children enough time to think about what they are being asked to build their communication skills further.

The new leadership team has an accurate view of the nursery's strengths and areas to develop. Leaders have spent time getting to know the staff as they work closely alongside them. Staff are provided with ongoing professional development opportunities.

For example, they attend mandatory training, such as safeguarding and paediatric first aid, and keep their knowledge and skills up to date. However, leaders have not yet focused sharply on identifying individual areas for development. This means that some staff are not fully effective in supporting children's learning outcomes.

Staff provide children with healthy snacks and meals that cater for their dietary needs and preferences. They model how to use cutlery and engage in the children's conversations as they eat together at mealtimes. They discuss healthy eating and why it is important to exercise.

Children develop a positive attitude to food and learn to use good manners when sitting at the table.Staff skilfully involve children in preparations and decision-making. For example, leaders meet with the 'nursery council' on a regular basis.

During these meetings, children are asked to vote for activities and share their ideas to make the nursery even better. Children have a voice at nursery, and they are listened to. This helps their self-esteem and gives them a strong sense of belonging.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: give children more time to think and respond to questions to encourage them to think of solutions and share their own thoughts and ideas continue to monitor and focus on strengthening staff practice to raise the quality of teaching practice to even higher levels.