Kiddi Caru Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

A number of positive changes have taken place at the nursery since the last inspection. These have had a positive impact on children's learning and development. Children form bonds with the staff who care for them and enjoy their time at nursery. Babies turn to staff for cuddles and reassurance and staff respond sensitively, recognising babies' cues and meeting their needs well.

Communication is at the heart of the curriculum, which has all children in mind. Staff in the baby room use gestures alongside words to aid children's understanding. They also use signs during routines and song time. Staff encourage younger children to use simple words and praise them for their efforts. The oldest children engage in meaningful discussions with staff. For instance, they speak about their feelings and why they feel the way they do.

Children become independent from a young age, with the support and encouragement of staff. Younger children wipe their own noses and dispose of their tissues for themselves. Older children are familiar with the routines of mealtimes, scraping their plates and putting their place mats away. The oldest children are fully aware of their own individual needs. For instance, they recognise that they need a specific bowl for dessert as they have a food intolerance.

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

• Leaders and managers have swiftly addressed the actions raised at the last inspection. They have worked hard to improve the learning environment, which is now more welcoming and encourages children to explore and develop their curiosity. The manager, who is relatively new to her role, has a clear vision for making further improvements. Staff comment that they feel more valued and happier in their roles.
• Communication with parents is strong. Staff use a variety of methods to keep them informed about what is happening at the nursery. Parents receive regular newsletters, which inform them about any staff changes or upcoming events. Parents build on their children's learning at home. They access various resources to take home and create models with their children. Families share their creations with the staff team, so that they can speak to children about what they have made when they return to nursery. This helps parents to feel involved in children's learning and supports children to build connections between nursery and home.
• Professional relationships between staff at the nursery and other agencies benefit the children. For instance, staff learn strategies to support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. This helps them to meet all children's needs effectively.
• Overall, staff interact well with children and the quality of education is good. Staff have completed a range of training since the last inspection. This includes training to promote children's positive behaviour. However, some staff who work directly with children require further support to raise the quality of their interactions to a consistently high standard, so that all children are able to make the most of the learning opportunities on offer.
• Children enjoy exploring and follow their own interests. Staff recognise children's curiosity and sensitively extend this. For instance, children are excited by puddles outdoors. Staff then suggest that they go and explore in the water tray to develop this interest further. This supports children to build on their learning.
• Children who speak English as an additional language receive good support. For instance, staff learn basic words in children's home languages so that children can communicate their needs effectively. Staff incorporate children's cultural celebrations into their planning and this builds on all children's awareness of the wider world around them.
• Managers carefully consider staff deployment and work hard to ensure that staffing is consistent in all rooms. This helps children to feel comfortable, and staff benefit from getting to know the children and their abilities. As a result, staff are able to provide parents with more relevant and meaningful feedback about their children's time at nursery.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support all staff who work directly with children to continue to develop their interactions and raise the quality of teaching to a consistently high level.