Rocking Horse Day Nursery, Kingsway

Books, baby care and growing independence give Rocking Horse Day Nursery, Kingsway its clearest character. In February 2023, children acted out The Gruffalo using props, served food for themselves and practised balancing on outdoor constructions. These are useful examples of a day that joins language, practical skills and physical play rather than treating learning as a separate activity.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 24 February 2023 and found its safeguarding arrangements effective. The current setting has capacity for 74 children, accepting ages from two months to five years. That is whole-nursery capacity, rather than the number sharing a room or attending together.

The Kingsway address places this branch in Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Its opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round operation excluding bank holidays.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. In everyday terms, play, conversation and practical activities build children's skills alongside attention to their wellbeing. In February 2023, story work made that connection tangible: children handled books, remembered rhymes and used props to recreate The Gruffalo. The activity gave them reasons to speak, listen and use expression.

Reading also had a quieter side. In February 2023, comfortable chairs offered somewhere to settle with a book, while families could take books home from the nursery library. That linked reading at nursery with time together at home. It also gave children access to books beyond the activities led by staff.

Children's interests shaped the activities in February 2023. Staff used conversation and questions to extend what children already understood. Teaching was less consistent when an unfamiliar task needed a demonstration: sometimes children were left uncertain about how to begin and their interest faded. For parents, the useful distinction is between an appealing activity and the adult help that makes it accessible.

Outdoor and Everyday Learning

In February 2023, outdoor play included digging and making sandcastles in a sand tray, steering bicycles and ride-on cars, and assembling an obstacle course from large construction equipment. Children checked their course before balancing across it. These experiences brought coordination and decisions about safety into the same activity.

Independence was also practised at mealtimes in February 2023. Children poured drinks and served their food, while babies were learning to feed themselves. Staff explained the benefits of washing hands rather than simply directing children through the routine. Small daily tasks therefore provided opportunities to learn as well as occasions for care.

Baby care received specific attention in February 2023. Staff had undertaken training relating to sleep and bottle feeding, and information about each baby's care and development was exchanged when they started. For families, that makes the handover about individual routines, rather than just attendance and belongings.

At its February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received effective support, and that targeted language work benefited children's communication. The deputy manager coordinated SEND provision at that time, working with families and other professionals; staff sought early help and had taken additional speech-and-language training while specialist referrals were taking longer.

A designated language lead worked with children needing extra help in February 2023. This was a practical response to delays in outside services: support within the nursery could begin while families waited. Children also sought staff for comfort and reassurance, making relationships part of their daily experience.

Behaviour guidance needed greater precision in February 2023. Staff reminded children about expectations, but praise sometimes failed to explain which action deserved recognition. The improvement requested was concrete: help children understand what they had done well so they could repeat it.

Food and milk were prepared in a kitchen with appropriate storage and equipment in February 2023. Changing mats and potties were cleaned between uses, bringing hygiene into the everyday care routines.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Kingsway, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottingham, NG17 7FH. Opening hours run from 8am until 6pm on weekdays, and the nursery operates throughout the year apart from bank holidays. That opening window is useful for planning work and travel around childcare.

Families can contact the Kingsway branch on 01623 408 330 or use its branch enquiry form, which includes baby, toddler and preschool enquiry categories.

Funding and Moving On

In February 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Families considering paid childcare should obtain a current written quotation before agreeing their arrangement.

In February 2023, the nursery occupied the Kingsway Primary School site. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place; families still apply through the local authority admissions process. Sharing a site should therefore be kept separate from the decision about school admission.

• Teaching that makes the task clear. In February 2023, unfamiliar activities sometimes needed better demonstrations, and praise needed to explain the behaviour being recognised. On a visit, look for how staff show children what to do and describe their successes.
• Your baby's routines. Sleep and bottle-feeding training, together with information exchanged at the start, featured in February 2023. Ask how your baby's routines would be carried through the settling period now.
• The complete childcare arrangement. Weekday opening spans 8am to 6pm. Ask for one written proposal covering your attendance pattern, any funded hours, meals and consumables so you can assess the arrangement as a whole.

Rocking Horse Day Nursery, Kingsway suits families seeking weekday, year-round childcare and a nursery day with room for stories, practical independence and outdoor movement. Its February 2023 Good judgement sits alongside concrete examples of baby care and language support. The teaching improvements matter too: attractive activities work best when children understand both the task and the encouragement they receive.