A DOWNEND nursery has been told to make urgent improvements after an inspection by Ofsted.
The regulator visited Kiddi Caru Day Nursery and Preschool in Coronation Road in April.
Its report, published in July, said the setting needs ‘urgent improvement’ in four areas: achievement, children’s welfare and well-being, curriculum and teaching, and inclusion.
Inspector Victoria Nicolson said two other areas need attention: behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines, and leadership and governance.
Her report said: “Children do not thrive because of breaches to the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage, meaning they do not receive the care and support they need.
“The key-person system is ineffective and does not ensure that children’s individual needs are consistently identified and met.
“Consequently, some children do not develop the positive attitudes to learning required to prepare them well for the next stage of their education, including school.
“Children are supervised by staff as they play. However, on occasion, children spend extended periods wandering around or sitting passively watching others, without being engaged in purposeful play.
“Staff do not have a clear understanding of the curriculum or what they want children to learn, as they do not know children well enough.
“Resources provided are at times uninspiring and not interesting. For instance, younger children are provided with pencils and paper to use. Due to lack of engagement from staff, children throw these resources on the floor.”
The inspector said children’s learning is “largely incidental rather than carefully planned and purposeful”.
The inspector said new leaders have taken action to improve the quality of teaching and staff practice, and ensure the curriculum is taught to an acceptable standard.
The nursery in the former Willow Surgery building has places for 64 children aged four and under. At its previous inspection in May last year, under the previous assessment system, the nursery was rated ‘good’ in all areas. It opened in 2023 after Kiddi Caru owner Grandir bought the business from previous operator Mama Bear’s.
A Grandir UK spokesperson said: “We are disappointed with the outcome and recognise that improvements are needed in some areas.
“We have responded quickly, with our leadership and management team implementing a clear improvement plan and taking immediate action to strengthen our provision.
“We have been open with families throughout and remain committed to keeping them informed as we make progress.
“While there is more work to do, we are encouraged that the inspection recognised positive aspects of the nursery and we are confident that the steps we are taking will deliver lasting improvements for children, families and colleagues.”
• Grandir has also been told that its Kiddi Caru Soundwell day nursery in Pembroke Road, which has places for 73 children aged four and under, needs attention in four areas: achievement, children’s welfare and well-being, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance after an inspection in April. Its work on behaviour and inclusion met Ofsted’s expected standard.
The Ofsted report described the nursery as welcoming and said children generally behaved well and felt safe. But the inspector said the quality of teaching and learning was inconsistent.
A Grandir spokesperson said: “We are naturally disappointed that some areas were identified as needing attention. “