Rainbow Day Nursery

Songs, movement and outdoor make-believe give Rainbow Day Nursery’s inspection-era account its character. At its 23 November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall. The strongest detail is about ordinary childhood experiences: conversation during play, opportunities to move and growing independence.

Based at 32 Dent View, Egremont, CA22 2ET, the nursery accepts children aged 3 to 59 months. Its opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

In November 2022, learning followed children’s interests, with individual observations and assessments helping staff decide what to introduce next. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children’s learning, development and care: play, conversation and physical exploration contribute to their learning rather than sitting apart from it.

Physical experiences were varied in November 2022. Babies and toddlers rolled and stretched during movement activities, while filling and emptying containers with sand and rice gave them practice coordinating hands and eyes. Older children climbed and dug outside. These were different ways to practise movement, from small hand actions to whole-body effort.

Music also gave learning a familiar shape in November 2022. Toddlers moved their arms and legs to Dingle Dangle Scarecrow, practising balance through dancing. Miss Polly had a Dolly combined words with actions, giving children repeated opportunities to rehearse language. Outside, preschool children worked together in the mud kitchen, using tools and natural materials in pretend cooking.

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, SEND support good and children making good progress, with personalised plans, additional funding and work with parents and external professionals supporting children who needed extra help.

In November 2022, staff talked with parents about individual needs and used consistent reminders to help children treat one another kindly. Preschool children practised looking after themselves independently, building skills for their next stage. Leaders also maintained links with the schools children moved on to.

Health education was less consistent in November 2022. Children had fruit at snack time and explored toothbrushing, but explanations about healthier food choices were uneven; sweets were sometimes used to reward achievement. Staff development also needed attention: supervision and required training were in place, but further training to strengthen teaching was insufficiently regular.

The address is 32 Dent View, Egremont, CA22 2ET. Opening hours run from 7.30am until 6pm on weekdays, with year-round operation except bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

In November 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That is a dated participation detail rather than a current funding arrangement.

• Healthy choices. In November 2022, food messages were inconsistent and sweets sometimes rewarded achievement. Discuss how healthy eating is explained to children now.
• Staff development. The November 2022 improvement priorities included further training to strengthen teaching. A visit is an opportunity to discuss how practitioners develop their skills.
• Attendance and charges. The weekday opening window extends from 7.30am to 6pm. Ask which booking pattern and written quotation would cover your family’s hours, including funded childcare, food and consumables.

Rainbow suits parents seeking weekday care across an extended opening window, with an inspection-era picture of learning through movement, songs and conversation. The November 2022 Good judgement provides a useful reference point; healthy-living education and staff development are the specific matters to explore when choosing it.