Rainbow Day Nursery

Pet rabbits, a fish pond and outdoor learning gave Rainbow Day Nursery's October 2022 daily life a clear thread: children learning to care for living things. This Trumpington setting has capacity for 55 children, accepting ages from 3 to 60 months.

Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding at its 12 October 2022 inspection, with children confidently choosing activities and adults extending their thinking through challenges woven into play. That judgement is a dated assessment of practice.

The early years foundation stage combines children's learning, development and care: play provides opportunities to practise communication, explore ideas and build independence.

In October 2022, indoor home corners and outdoor play kitchens supported imaginative stories. Children chose their play, while practitioners introduced questions and problems that took their ideas further. Learning followed children's interests rather than interrupting them.

Animal care made responsibility tangible. That October, children fed two rabbits and fish in the pond, and responded to thirsty garden bees by preparing sugar water. Older children attended weekly forest school sessions, exploring wildlife, plants and natural habitats outdoors. These experiences connected care for animals with an understanding of their surroundings.

At the October 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities making excellent progress, supported by a proactive special educational needs coordinator and relevant staff training.

In October 2022, close relationships helped children settle, while adults modelled sharing and taking turns. Work on recognising emotions helped children understand how their responses affected others. Independence extended to everyday tasks: younger children practised feeding themselves and putting on bibs; older children poured drinks and served food.

Meals were social occasions that October, with children and adults eating together and opportunities to sample unfamiliar foods. Managers also listened to staff and supported their development, helping sustain an experienced team.

The address is Former Village School, Grantchester Road, Trumpington, Cambridge, CB2 9LH. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

In October 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. This describes its participation at that time.

• Outdoor learning. Weekly forest school and animal care were part of children's experience in October 2022. On a visit, ask how these activities now work for your child's age, alongside settling arrangements, attendance patterns and funded-hours charges.
• The age of the judgement. The Outstanding assessment dates to October 2022. Its detailed observations provide a useful benchmark, but families should weigh that date when choosing care today.

Rainbow Day Nursery suits families seeking year-round weekday care, with an opening window extending from early morning into the evening. Its October 2022 strengths were concrete: independence in everyday routines, imaginative play and hands-on care for wildlife. The dated inspection provides a strong quality benchmark; the animal and outdoor experiences give the setting its clearest character.