Rainbow Nursery

A veterinary play area planned by children gives Rainbow Nursery a recognisable character: in February 2023, older children turned their interest in animals into pretend consultations and pet X-rays, with staff extending their ideas. Children's interests shaped the activity rather than simply supplying its theme.

At its 14 February 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated Rainbow Nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. Based on Kings Drive in Eastbourne, the nursery has capacity for 62 children aged 6 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing play, language and everyday routines into their education.

In February 2023, babies explored cut flowers by handling petals and copying adults smelling them. Older children joined songs with actions, while staff introduced vocabulary through play. These examples show how conversation and sensory exploration could sit alongside imaginative activities, giving children different ways to participate.

Number learning also appeared in ordinary routines in February 2023. Younger children heard mathematical language during play; older children practised recognising numbers in group activities. Outdoors, children used bicycles and had opportunities for balancing, sliding and climbing. Movement was part of the learning day.

Group activities were less successful for the youngest children in February 2023. Staff sometimes continued when children no longer wanted to participate, leaving them restless or disengaged. Planning activities around younger children's developmental stage was the required improvement.

In February 2023, younger children received attention from adults who knew their individual care needs, while predictable routines helped children understand what would happen next. Staff encouraged children to discuss feelings, linking emotional expression with everyday interactions.

At the February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that staff recognised additional needs promptly, adapted activities and supported good progress, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those learning English as an additional language.

Allergy-aware activity planning was another practical feature in February 2023: staff selected paint and sensory materials to avoid allergens. Children also explored healthy food choices and recalled that learning during meals and play. Inclusion extended beyond what children ate.

Rainbow Nursery's address is Kings Drive, Eastbourne, BN21 2UD. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

In February 2023, the nursery served only employees of its owning organisation and received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. Those were the arrangements at that date.

• Employee eligibility. In February 2023, use was restricted to employees of the nursery's owning organisation. Ask whether that employer-specific condition still applies to your household.
• Younger children's group time. The February 2023 improvement concerned activities that did not consistently hold younger children's interest. On a visit, ask how staff respond when a baby or toddler wants to leave a group activity.

Rainbow Nursery suits families seeking an early weekday opening and an all-year timetable. Its February 2023 strengths lay in children's own ideas, attentive individual care and learning woven through play. The youngest children's group activities deserve closer attention, alongside the restriction to employees of the nursery's owning organisation that applied in February 2023.