Rainbows Day Nursery

Inspection of Rainbows Day Nursery The Parish Room English Martyrs Church, 37 Frindsbury Road, Strood, Kent ME2 4JA

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children happily enter this inviting nursery. They leave their parents and carers with ease and settle into the well-embedded routines of the day. Staff know the children well. The information and knowledge about each child feeds into the well- sequenced curriculum. This focuses on children's language, personal, social and emotional development. For example, to promote children's language, at home and at the nursery, they have developed a lending library. Children enjoy taking books home to share with their parents.

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The provision is good

Staff think carefully about the environment and the range of learning experiences that they provide. Children enjoy exploring sensory activities. For example, they investigate resources such as oats as they use their hands and tools to fill and empty containers. This is further developed as children add various herbs to the mix and use all their senses. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Children learn the rules and expectations of their behaviour. The skilled staff are on hand to provide support. For instance, when there are disputes about the popular cars in the outside area, staff guide the children to use sand timers to encourage sharing and turn-taking. Children then independently use these on their own, communicating with others about it being their turn.

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need to do better?

n The manager is ambitious. She is driven to ensure that the nursery is continuously improving. She ensures that staff have the training they need to support them in their roles. The manager has constructed a curriculum that considers the children's needs and interests. It is fully understood by all staff. They are keen for children to leave the setting equipped to take on their next stage of learning and to be ready for life in modern Britain. n Overall, staff work effectively to develop children's communication skills. Staff use phrases from well-loved books to extend children's role play. For instance, in the garden when children are constructing, staff narrate alongside the children saying, 'I'll huff and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house down'. Children show their understanding by repeating other phrases and extending their role play. However, staff do not use questioning techniques effectively. For example, they

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need to do better?

sometimes ask children questions that only need a 'yes' or 'no' answer, which does not encourage children to expand their thinking or use their developing language. n Children are taught about how to stay safe when outside of the nursery. For example, children go on trips to the local library, but also learn the skills needed to keep safe when walking near roads. Furthermore, the nursery educates

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need to do better?

29 January 2024 children and parents about the risks online. For instance, the children take part in internet safety week where they explore activities that teach them how to respond to concerns when online. n Staff are very effective in promoting equality. Resources and books represent the different ethnicities of the children in the nursery. Furthermore, children are encouraged to talk about their families and home lives. A family tree with photos from home supports children's conversations. This helps them to respect their differences and similarities to others. n There are good partnerships established with parents. Parents are invited into the nursery for stay-and-play sessions. This encourages relationships between parents and their child's key person. Regular discussions about children's learning and development support staff and parents in identifying the next steps for children. All children have a key person. Staff understand the importance of

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need to do better?

this role in helping children feel safe and secure. n Staff encourage children to put their own coats on and to pour their own drinks at snack time. However, staff do not consistently support children's independence at other times during the day. For example, children do not take responsibility for tidying up after themselves. Staff take on this role and tidy around them. Furthermore, older children who are capable of seeing to their own care needs are not encouraged to do this independently. n The knowledgeable special educational needs coordinator ensures that any gaps in development are discussed with parents and that referrals are put into place quickly. She understands the support that is there for children and ensures that staff understand each child's individual needs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n support staff to address minor inconsistencies in the methods used to fully extend children's communication and language development n support staff to recognise when to encourage children to do things for themselves, to further enhance their independence and self-help skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2647197 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10305288 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 48 Name of registered person Rainbows Day Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07904744842 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The provider registered in 2021 and is located in Strood, Kent. The setting operates from a church building. The provider offers care from Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6.30pm, all year round. There are seven members of staff, six of whom hold qualifications at level 2 and above. The provider receives funding to provide early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the manager about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

29 January 2024 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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