Rainbow Pre-School Nursery

Songs, signing and a pathway tool developed with teachers gave Rainbow Pre-School Nursery a recognisable learning character in May 2022. At its 3 May 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall. Its strengths came with two teaching concerns: staff needed a clearer understanding of each child's next learning step and more confidence in allowing children to practise developing physical skills.

The nursery has 36 places in total at Buntingsdale Park, Tern Hill, Market Drayton. In May 2022, children attending ranged from 0 to 10 years old; that age span belongs to the inspection period.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care: here, the May 2022 examples included language through singing, counting during routines and practising self-care. These are concrete ways of bringing learning into ordinary activities.

In May 2022, children used signing for their names and the colours of the week song. Speech and language charts helped staff spot gaps, while reading and singing supported communication. Younger children chose songs from a bag, giving them a say in shared activities.

Counting also reached beyond a separate mathematics activity. In May 2022, children counted those playing outside and used a backwards countdown in a song. Older children modelled language during group activities, giving younger children examples to follow.

Physical exploration was less consistent. In May 2022, babies standing on a step on play apparatus were asked to get down rather than supported to practise their movements. That example makes the teaching concern tangible: learning includes knowing when to let a child try.

At the May 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities participated alongside others in group activities. Encouragement to join singing was one example of support for quieter children.

In May 2022, parents were invited to read stories, and concerns from home influenced activities, including work on toothbrushing. Children practised washing their hands and opening their own lunch packaging, linking care routines with growing independence.

School preparation had a specific tool. In May 2022, the manager and primary teachers had developed a pathway tool to identify learning needed before school and bring those expectations into nursery activities. This was preparation for the next stage, rather than an admissions advantage.

The address is Buntingsdale Park, Tern Hill, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 2EY.

In May 2022, the nursery operated throughout the year on weekdays, with session times of 8am to 5pm. It also provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four at that time.

• Individual learning. In May 2022, staff covering rooms did not consistently know children's next learning steps. Ask how that information now reaches everyone working with your child.
• Physical confidence. The May 2022 concern included restricting babies' opportunities to practise movement. A visit can explore how staff support manageable physical challenges today.

Rainbow's May 2022 picture suits families who value singing, signing, practical independence and deliberate preparation for school. The Good judgement gives that picture weight, but the two teaching concerns matter: personalised learning and opportunities to practise physical skills should be central to a family's decision.