A PRESCHOOL with a curriculum described as "poorly designed" has said it is "disappointed" after a watchdog inspection.

Kiddi Caru Day Nursery and Preschool in Solent Business Park, Whiteley, has been rated 'requires improvement' by Ofsted.

The Brooklands House setting was given the rating in all four categories - quality of education, behaviours and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

At the time of the inspection, there were 69 children aged up to four at the site.

Bosses have said that they are "disappointed" with the grade.

Inspectors said that there are "inconsistencies" in the quality of children's experiences, describing the curriculum as "poorly designed".

Older children and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have less effective support for their learning, the report said.

Children with SEND are not all ready to move on to the next stage in their education.

Although the manager has "clear aims" for children, inspectors found that not all staff understand or implement the curriculum.

It was also noted that not all children participate in activities that help learning as staff sometimes "put them off" by insisting they wear aprons.

Despite this, inspectors described children as "happy and settled" in the staff's care.

It was clear that children feel safe with staff and children are praised and encouraged at the setting.

A spokesperson from Kiddi Caru said: “We are disappointed by the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection.

"However, Ofsted did acknowledge and commented on the many positive aspects of our nursery provision, including how happy and settled the children are, how they receive positive praise and warm encouragement in the staff’s care.

"In addition, the Inspector recognised that practitioners know the children that they care for well.

"We do recognise that we have areas of development within the setting and with the a robust action plan in place we are already working towards improving on these areas to provide the best care and education for the children in our setting.

"We are delighted to have welcomed a new manager who holds a QTS and has a wealth of knowledge in teaching, education and curriculum within the early years.

"Alongside her teaching qualification the new manager also holds a level 3 qualification in SEN and has taken on the role as named SENCo within the nursery setting already working with families and outside agencies for those children who require addition support.

"Our highest priority, as always, is the safety, well-being and education of all children in our care and we are grateful to the families and carers for their continued support.”