Kiddi Caru Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children flourish and thrive at this nursery, where their unique personalities and interests are nurtured and celebrated. They form close and loving attachments with the incredibly kind and caring staff. For instance, babies smile and laugh as they roll baubles back and forth with their key person. They blow kisses and wave as staff greet them or leave the room. A highly-effective, key-person system means that every child has an adult that knows them extremely well.

Children are inquisitive, curious and motivated to learn. They are excited to explore and discover what they can do from the rich range of activities and experiences staff provide. For example, toddlers squeal with laughter as they touch ice and feel the cold sensation. They watch in awe as the ice begins to melt into water. Staff clearly explain what is happening and support children to make links between the snowy weather outside. Children play harmoniously alongside one another as they add paint to the water and become immersed in the sensory experience of expanding the activity. Pre-school children discuss the smell of different spices as they make their own winter dough. They remember the new vocabulary they have learned, such as 'ginger' and 'cinnamon.' They work together and listen to each other's ideas as they make predictions about how their mixtures will change. Children are polite and considerate of one another and consistently display good behaviour. Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make excellent progress.

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

• Staff provide exceptional experiences for children to learn about each other's families and communities, and gain a detailed understanding of how they are different and similar to others. For instance, children talk about what they do during winter festivals and delight in telling their friends about how they prepare for Christmas. Leaders set up a food bank that children contribute to. They teach children about giving to others and the importance of being caring and helpful in the community.
• Children take pride in being selected to be a 'safety spy,' as they help check the outdoor space for hazards. They relish the responsibility and develop their understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Children listen carefully to safety instructions. They talk to staff about what they remember about how they can keep warm, walk safely and enjoy being outside in the cold weather.
• Staff place the utmost importance on encouraging children's independence. The ability of the children to confidently do things for themselves is exemplary. This is consistently embedded across the nursery. For example, the youngest toddlers know where to find tissues to blow their nose and instinctively do this for themselves. They use a mirror and remember to put their tissues in the bin before washing their hands. They are extremely capable for their young age. Staff encourage children to complete any task they can manage for themselves. They give children time to master these skills. These foundations ensure children are well prepared for their next stage in learning.
• Overall, the majority of staff's teaching is of high quality. Staff sing, read to children and engage them in meaningful conversations. They give clear explanations to children, encourage them to think critically and extend their growing vocabulary by introducing them to new words. However, this quality is not consistently applied by all staff across the setting. At times, although they are sensitive and responsive, some staff do not interact with the youngest children in a way that supports the development of their early communication and language to the highest level.
• The manager and staff encourage parents to share in the wonderful experiences children enjoy at nursery. Parents have access to a wealth of resources. For instance, children take home decoration-making kits with instructions to complete with their families. They bring back the snowflakes they have made and proudly display these on their Christmas tree. Children share pictures of completing these with their families. The manager's focus on involving families is highly effective in developing children's sense of self-worth and belonging.
• The manager is passionate about ensuring the well-being of her staff team. She goes above and beyond to ensure her staff are supported. For example, arranging team building meetings, mindfulness sessions and creating a relaxing staff room. Staff comment on how valued and appreciated they feel. The manager recognises the high importance a happy and healthy team has on providing the best quality of care to children.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• increase support for staff to improve the quality of interactions with the youngest children, so that all staff are consistently promoting children's early communication and language development.