Rainbow Pre-School & Extended Services

Inspection of Rainbow Pre-School & Extended Services St Andrew's Lower School, Bantock Way, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 8UQ

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy. They leave their parents and carers with ease and settle quickly. Children engage in activities and experiences that interest them and cover all areas of learning. They have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, children confidently use static equipment to climb and balance on. They explore water as they enjoy cleaning outside resources and use paintbrushes, which supports their fine motor skills ready for early handwriting. Children demonstrate their great imaginations. For example, during an adult-led activity which involves making dough, they decide to extend their play to make milkshakes. Children are very much supported by staff to do this and are actively encouraged to use a range of utensils and resources.

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The provision is good

Children spend long periods of time at self-chosen activities. They are confident to share their ideas with staff and their peers. Children have fun at this setting. They behave well and develop firm friendships with children and staff. Staff are consistent with the strategies they use to support children's understanding of appropriate behaviours. This helps children learn to self-regulate and, for some children, learn to work issues out for themselves. Children demonstrate a good understanding of the setting's routines. For example, when the 'tidy up' theme music is played, they move quickly in a smooth and cooperative way.

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need to do better?

n Staff promote children's communication and language development well. For example, during stories, staff repeat words and model language as children show interest in what they hear. This has a positive impact on children's speech and language development. n Staff use effective techniques to broaden children's learning. They use open- ended questions that encourage children to think further. For example, during activities, staff ask children what they think might happen next. Children have sufficient time to think and respond, and are encouraged to share their ideas. This has a positive impact on children's personal, social and emotional development. However, on occasions, staff do not recognise when to adjust activities and experiences to present further challenge for the most-able children. n Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities very well. They demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of each child's

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need to do better?

individual needs and specific requirements. Staff's ongoing relationships and collaborative working with other professionals are effective in meeting children's needs. As a result, the interaction, support and reasonable adjustments made improve children's daily care and education. n Parents speak warmly of their relationships with the staff team. They know their

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need to do better?

27 January 2022 children's key person and say that their children are happy at the setting. Staff support parents, and during the COVID-19 restrictions they stayed in regular touch with families. This had a positive impact on the children's return to the setting. However, staff do not always promote effective strategies to update and engage all parents in their children's learning, both in the setting and at home. n Staff supervision and appraisals are effective and help staff to identify their own strengths and areas for improvement. Staff speak positively about the support they receive and how the ongoing training promotes their professional development. This has a positive impact on staff. Additionally, as part of the new staff induction, the management team provides a 'buddy' system, linking experienced staff with new staff to help them settle in and develop their practice. This helps staff to feel valued.

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need to do better?

n Children are inquisitive. For example, during a small-group experimental activity, they show curiosity. To extend this further, staff provide the opportunity for children to enjoy the activity again, but individually. The outcome is very positive. Children are highly engaged and excited to compare and estimate with their peers. This helps to promote their understanding of the world scientifically. n The staff meet children's care needs well. They respect children's need for privacy and balance this well with ensuring that their welfare is promoted. Staff support children to learn about oral health, for example during discussions about good teeth care. During mealtimes, staff help children and support them to learn about appropriate manners and good health.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children. They attend regular training that supports their understanding of the setting's policies and procedures. Staff are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and wider safeguarding issues. They are confident to report concerns and explain clearly how they will take concerns further if these were not followed up appropriately by the management team. This helps to promote child safety. The management team implements robust recruitment procedures to ensure staff are suitable.

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should:

n support staff to provide more challenging opportunities for the most-able children n enhance opportunities for sharing ideas and information with parents to further support their children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY493048 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10217875 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 53 Number of children on roll 84

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Name of registered person

Rainbow Pre-School & Extended Services CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01767 310230 Date of previous inspection 7 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Rainbow Pre-School & Extended Services registered in 2015 and is situated in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. The setting employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and eight hold qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with early years teacher status. The setting opens from Monday to Friday during term time from 7.30am until 6pm. A holiday club operates during the school holidays from 7.30am until 6pm. The pre- school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector held a learning discussion together to understand how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector spoke with children during the inspection. Children told the inspector about the activities they enjoy taking part in. n A sample of the provider's documentation, such as staff suitability records, was reviewed by the inspector. n A number of parents spoke to the inspector during the inspection. The inspector took into account their views and feedback. n The inspector observed staff interaction with children during an adult-led activity and reviewed this with the manager.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

27 January 2022 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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