Rainbow Childcare & Preschool

Real-life objects and a bungalow setting give Rainbow Childcare & Preschool on Stewart Street in Crewe its character. The day nursery has moved away from plastic resources, putting everyday items into children's play instead. That makes the materials themselves part of learning: something to handle, investigate and recognise beyond nursery.

The setting has 22 places in total. Its day-nursery provision caters for children from 3 months to 3 years, with opportunities to become familiar with the provider's separate preschool before moving on. The distinction matters: this is the baby-and-toddler setting, rather than a single provision covering the whole preschool age range.

At its November 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found its safeguarding arrangements effective. The most useful detail beneath that judgement concerns children's choices, staff conversation and familiar routines, alongside an improvement point about linking staff development more closely to nursery priorities.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care, so play, communication and physical development belong together in the nursery day. Rainbow's use of real life items adds a concrete materials choice to that framework. Children can explore objects connected with everyday experience rather than relying on plastic resources.

In November 2021, babies investigated wooden objects while staff stayed nearby, named what they handled and talked about their actions. Toddlers experimented with remote-controlled cars and a device for squeezing citrus juice. These were useful starting points for conversation: children had something specific to describe, operate and investigate.

Choice also had a practical place in the day in November 2021. Toddlers joined a morning gathering to hear about planned activities, then received support to decide what they wanted to do. That offers a parent a more concrete picture of independence than a general promise of confidence: children were making decisions within an organised day.

Outdoor and Community Life

In November 2021, low outdoor planks gave older toddlers opportunities to practise balance, while shiny hanging mobiles encouraged younger children to reach upwards. Movement came through manageable physical challenges, with different activities for children at different stages.

The same month's account included action songs, nursery rhymes and familiar stories. Children anticipated what would happen next in a story, while singing brought words and movement together. These examples show how ordinary activities can combine conversation, coordination and participation rather than separating learning into formal lessons.

In November 2021, staff used information from families in conversations and activities with children. Parents and staff communicated both face to face and through an app, making home experiences part of the nursery's understanding of each child. The practical value is continuity: an interest or change at home can inform what adults talk about and do during the day.

Familiar routines were another part of care in November 2021. Children settled for sleep, found their coats and began dressing themselves; adults explained why cold weather called for suitable clothing. Nose-wiping and putting used tissues in the bin were also part of everyday learning. Small tasks gave children opportunities to participate in their own care.

The bungalow nursery's children can join activities and open days at the provider's preschool. That gives the next setting a familiar context before a move. In November 2021, older toddlers also made preparatory visits, with families and staff working together around the change. This is a transition between childcare settings, rather than a claim about admission to a school.

Sessions and Attendance

The nursery is at 65 Stewart Street, Crewe, CW2 8LT. It caters for babies and toddlers from 3 months to 3 years, before the move to preschool.

In November 2021, it operated throughout the year, Monday to Friday, with a day running from 8am to 6pm. Those hours describe the inspection-era arrangement. They should be read with that date attached when planning care around employment or other commitments.

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 01270 481452 or through the contact form. The form includes the child's age, intended start date and required days or hours, giving families a way to set out their circumstances together.

Funding and Paid Extras

Two-year-old funding is offered at the day nursery. This is the entitlement relevant to the younger provision discussed here; the separate preschool's arrangements should not be treated as the bungalow nursery's booking terms.

• The move to preschool. The day nursery caters for children from 3 months to 3 years and offers activities and open days at the next setting. Families seeking continuity beyond the toddler years should weigh that change of surroundings as part of their choice.
• Staff development. In November 2021, individual staff targets needed clearer measurement and a stronger connection with the nursery's development plan. This was a management improvement point within the Good judgement, relevant to how consistently nursery priorities translate into staff practice.
• Planning the arrangement. When discussing care for a baby or toddler at Stewart Street, what attendance patterns can you book, how is two-year-old funding delivered, and what are the arrangements for meals and consumables?

Rainbow suits families who value everyday objects, opportunities for children to make choices and a planned introduction to the provider's preschool. The bungalow setting and move away from plastic resources give its current offer a clear identity.

The November 2021 picture adds substance: wooden objects, citrus squeezing, outdoor balancing and familiar care routines put learning into ordinary actions. Keep that historical picture separate from today's practical arrangements. The strongest reason to consider this nursery is the combination of baby-and-toddler provision with preparation for the next childcare setting.