Rainbows at Redriff

In July 2025, story books led to wooden-block houses, and making tea became a lesson in capacity: everyday play carried purposeful learning at Rainbows at Redriff. At its July 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated it Outstanding and found safeguarding effective.

Based at Redriff Primary School in London, the nursery has nine places in total. In July 2025, children attending were aged one to three; the small whole-setting capacity should not be read as a room size.

In July 2025, learning followed children's interests while staff planned around their next developmental steps. The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care, with play supporting communication, physical skills and growing independence.

Age-appropriate spaces helped staff tailor activities. Adults narrated play and introduced vocabulary such as cocoon, giving children words for what they were discovering. Stories carried into construction: children built houses with blocks and tried again when their structures collapsed. That connected storytelling with practical problem-solving.

Mathematics also belonged to ordinary activities. Children looked for shapes and explored capacity through tea-making. Stories returned during meals, giving children another opportunity to recall events and practise language.

Outdoor experiences in July 2025 included woodland and wetland outings, alongside watering plants. Scooters, balance bikes and chalks of different sizes supported movement and hand control. The lunch box game involved naming foods and sorting them by whether they were healthy, turning discussion about food into an activity children could join.

At the July 2025 inspection, Ofsted found strong partnerships with families and the linked school, alongside effective support for children's emotional development. Staff used stories to help children recognise feelings and consider ways to manage them.

In July 2025, adults helped children practise sharing and taking turns. Younger children chose activities independently; older children washed their hands after using the toilet and carried water bottles to the lunch table. These were practical steps towards doing more for themselves.

Play spaces represented different cultures, with activities exploring religion and heritage. Staff worked with families whose children spoke English as an additional language, learning useful phrases to support communication. Families also received guidance for continuing learning at home. Managers used coaching, supervision and tailored training to help staff assess development and plan what came next.

The address is Redriff Primary School, Salter Road, London SE16 5LQ. In July 2025, opening hours were 8am to 4.45pm from Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 4.30pm on Friday, during term time. Government-funded childcare was provided at that time.

The nursery shares the school's site. Attending does not guarantee a Reception place; families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Term-time routine. The July 2025 opening pattern followed school terms. How would your intended attendance fit the nursery's current booking arrangements?
• Moving on to school. The school connection was a strength in July 2025, but nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Treat childcare and school admissions as separate decisions.

Rainbows at Redriff suits families drawn to a small setting where stories, conversation and practical experiences connect. Its July 2025 provision combined child-led choices with deliberate teaching, from rebuilding block houses to exploring capacity. The dated term-time pattern is the practical consideration to weigh against that educational character.