Rainbow Day Nursery

Books give Rainbow Day Nursery much of its character: children voted for shared stories, and Pete the Cat prompted questions and conversation in November 2023. This Reading setting combines care for babies with learning for older children, accepting ages from 3 months to 5 years.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 22 November 2023, with strengths in communication and relationships alongside improvements needed in behaviour explanations and imaginative play.

The early years foundation stage brings learning, development and care together: play, conversation and everyday routines help children build skills. In November 2023, activities drew on children's interests and existing abilities, rather than treating each age group identically.

Babies explored paint with sponges and chunky brushes, while songs and rhymes supported early communication. Older children discussed authors and illustrators and practised making marks to prepare for writing. Pete the Cat gave preschool children a shared character to discuss, making story time an opportunity to contribute their own ideas.

The garden supported movement and exploration in November 2023. Children tackled obstacles, built structures and drew with chalk, combining physical activity with opportunities to play together and learn about nature. However, imaginative activities did not consistently sustain curiosity, and some play was interrupted. Protecting time to explore was an improvement priority.

At the November 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, children making good developmental progress including those with additional needs, and successful support for children learning English as an additional language.

In November 2023, staff modelled language and worked with other professionals to coordinate children's support. A book lending library programme extended reading into family life by letting parents borrow books. Scheduled parent evenings provided time to discuss development, and feedback surveys informed changes.

Everyday independence also received attention that month: children washed their hands and cleaned their faces after lunch. Staff supported sharing and turn-taking, although explanations sometimes fell short of helping children understand why behaviour mattered. Regular training, supervision and appraisal supported practitioners' work.

The address is 19 Craven Road, Reading, RG1 5LE. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closure over Christmas and New Year.

In November 2023, the nursery served children whose parents worked for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. It also received early education funding for children aged two, three and four. These are dated arrangements, relevant to families weighing eligibility and funded attendance.

• Employer connection. The November 2023 service was for children of Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust employees. Does your family's employment status meet the nursery's current joining criteria?
• Behaviour explanations. In November 2023, younger children needed clearer help understanding how their actions affected others. During a visit, ask how staff explain boundaries and support turn-taking.
• Time to explore. Imagination and sustained exploration were improvement priorities in November 2023. Ask how activities now give children time to develop their own ideas.

Rainbow suits families seeking care from babyhood through the preschool years, with books, conversation and everyday independence prominent in its November 2023 practice. Its employer connection is a central practical consideration. The balanced picture includes clear strengths in relationships and communication, alongside specific questions about behaviour support and uninterrupted imaginative play.