Rainbow Childcare & Preschool

In June 2022, flowers used as paintbrushes and covered outdoor spaces gave Rainbow Childcare & Preschool a recognisable character: practical, exploratory play with natural materials. On Wistaston Road in Crewe, the nursery has 36 places in total.

At its June 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and judged safeguarding effective. The children attending then were aged three to four; the strongest examples centred on physical development, books and preparation for school.

In June 2022, children painted with flowers, poured water from large containers and used climbing equipment. These experiences connected large movements with the finer control needed for early writing. Covered areas outdoors allowed play to continue in wet weather, giving outdoor learning a practical place in the day.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care: here, the June 2022 examples included learning through play, stories, songs and movement. Reading spaces encouraged children to share books with friends, while individual reading sessions were scheduled during the week. Books also went home, extending the connection between nursery activities and family reading.

In June 2022, younger children practised rhymes, while older children rehearsed a song for their leaving celebration and worked on forming letters. Occasional outings included a residential home and museum visits using public transport. These introduced people, objects and experiences beyond the nursery.

In June 2022, communication with families combined digital systems, parent meetings and sessions where parents could stay and join children's play. That gave families several ways to understand the day's learning. For children learning English alongside another language, home-language books were paired with English versions at nursery, connecting the two settings.

At the June 2022 inspection, Ofsted identified a need for more individually targeted staff development, better sequencing of some early literacy activities, correction of letter-formation misunderstandings and fuller use of conversations to extend vocabulary. These were teaching concerns within the Good judgement, and matter to families weighing how play develops into purposeful learning.

The address is Wistaston Road, Crewe, CW2 7RL. In June 2022, the nursery operated throughout the year on weekdays, with sessions running from 8am to 6pm. It also provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four at that time.

These attendance and funding arrangements describe June 2022, rather than a current booking offer.

• Teaching development. June 2022 improvement priorities concerned staff training, early literacy and vocabulary. During a visit, ask how staff now sequence these activities and respond to children's mistakes.
• Attendance fit. The June 2022 pattern combined year-round weekday provision with an 8am to 6pm session. What current sessions, accepted ages and funded attendance arrangements would fit your child?

Rainbow's June 2022 picture suits families drawn to hands-on preschool learning, outdoor play and a close connection between books at home and nursery. Its teaching improvement priorities deserve attention alongside the Good judgement. Families considering it today should weigh that dated picture against the practical fit explored during a visit.