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Early years · Report card

Rainbow Nursery

Inspected 19 May 2026 · URN EY449822

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Summary

No overall grade in this frameworkSafeguarding met

Beth Wilson (lead), Amelia Abdullah

What we read, and from where

Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.

  • Achievement verified

    Strong standard

  • Behaviour, attitudes and routines verified

    Expected standard

  • Children's welfare and wellbeing verified

    Expected standard

  • Curriculum and teaching verified

    Strong standard

  • Inclusion verified

    Strong standard

  • Leadership and governance verified

    Strong standard

  • Framework verified

    Report card

  • Group verified

    Almners (Childcare) Ltd

  • Inspection datesingle source

    19 May 2026

  • Inspectors AI-checked

    Amelia Abdullah, Beth Wilson

  • Postcode verified

    KT16 0BH

  • Name on report verified

    Rainbow Nursery

  • Safeguarding verified

    Met

  • URN verified

    EY449822

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Grade profile

Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.

  • AchievementStrong
  • Behaviour, attitudes and routinesExpected
  • Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected
  • Curriculum and teachingStrong
  • InclusionStrong
  • Leadership and governanceStrong

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+77Very positivemore positive than 59% of reports of this type

In line with other reports of this type.

Praiseconsistentlypositiveeffectiveambitiousfeel safeclearexcellentwarm
Criticismnot consistentlypoorconcernslimitednot yetnot consistent

How the report reads, start to finish

Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.

FindingsSafeguardingAbout the inspectionLeadershipWhat needs to improve positive critical
  • Findings1646w+79
  • Leadership180w+68
  • Safeguarding51w−11
  • What needs to improve26w+50

Strengths

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Concerns

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Next steps

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What the report dwells on

Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.

Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
9
Words of findings
1,903
about usual (typical 1698)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 45, typical 43
Average sentence
11 words
Next steps
2
typical 3
Hedged sentences
5%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 68%Leadership 7%Safeguarding 2%What needs to improve 1%About the inspection 21%

Full report text

Rainbow Nursery

Unique reference number (URN): EY449822 Address: Almners Priory, Almners Road, Lyne, CHERTSEY, Surrey, KT16 0BH Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registered with Ofsted: 07/09/2012 Registers: EYR Registered person: Almners (Childcare) Ltd

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Safeguarding standards met

The safeguarding standards are met. This means that leaders and/or those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their specific responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed. As a result, children are made safer and feel safe.

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How we evaluate safeguarding

When we inspect settings for safeguarding, they can have the following outcomes:

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How we evaluate safeguarding

Met: The setting has an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not met: The setting has not created an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not all legal requirements are met.

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Achievement Strong standard

Children make rapid and sustained progress across all areas of learning from their individual starting points. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, fully participate in the learning opportunities and achieve quickly. For example, children who start with a limited vocabulary quickly learn how to put words together and form clear, coherent sentences. In turn, they build positive relationships with their peers and staff.

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Achievement Strong standard

Children show inquisitive skills and positive attitudes to learning. They are interested in exploring the world around them. Children find various bugs during forest school and identify them. They have interesting conversations and explore the identified insects through exciting stories about them.

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Achievement Strong standard

Children build upon their independence skills in a sequenced approach. They learn how to use cutlery efficiently, pour their own drinks and get themselves dressed. Children develop important knowledge and understanding to support them in their next stage of learning. They are very well prepared, particularly for school.

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Curriculum and teaching Strong standard

Leaders have established an ambitious curriculum that is carefully sequenced throughout children's journey. Staff plan activities that reflect children's interests. Children are fully engaged in their learning. They make rapid and sustained progress from their starting points.

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Curriculum and teaching Strong standard

The curriculum is vast and ensures all individuals are meaningfully included. Staff skilfully adapt teaching in the moment and adjust environments. They ensure that activities are accessible for all children. Staff value each child's individuality and their interests. Children benefit from the exciting opportunities provided at this unique setting.

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Curriculum and teaching Strong standard

Staff have consistently clear intentions for children's learning and their next steps in development. They continuously build on children's prior knowledge through varied activities. Children are engaged in their learning and have sustained concentration.

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Curriculum and teaching Strong standard

Staff's high-quality interactions are purposeful and responsive. They keep children's motivation high and promote positive attitudes to learning. Staff are positive role models who use skilful questioning to promote interesting conversations. This helps to extend children's learning, engagement and thinking. For example, staff point out changes in the weather. Children explore and discuss what impact these changes have. They discuss appropriate clothes to wear and the puddles they can jump in when it rains.

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Curriculum and teaching Strong standard

All staff teach children with continued support and guidance throughout the day. They consistently engage children in learning and narrate to them. Staff help children to make sense of the world around them. Children are confident to explore the vast grounds, feeling secure with their key person close by. They engage in enjoyable experiences. They visit the 'wellness bus' to take part in yoga sessions. Children collaborate to grow plants in the allotments. They continue to make steady progress across all areas of learning.

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Inclusion Strong standard

Leaders have created a highly inclusive environment. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive purposeful and targeted support. Staff ensure all children are fully included within all areas of learning. They make effective adaptations to ensure children progress securely. For example, staff support children to follow routines alongside their peers. They use visual aids, such as 'now and next boards', to support transitions. When needed, staff guide children to access specific tools to regulate their emotions. This supports children's understanding and emotional wellbeing.

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Inclusion Strong standard

Leaders and staff work collaboratively with families and external partners. They build excellent partnerships with parents. Together, they identify the most appropriate and effective measures to support every child. This is consistently implemented at the earliest opportunity. Children have support in place immediately after any barrier to their learning or wellbeing has been identified.

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Inclusion Strong standard

Leaders rigorously review and monitor the impact of measures in place for children. They ensure support is appropriately targeted to have the most effective outcomes. This reduces children's barriers to learning or wellbeing. As a result, children make sustained progress. Children who were previously non-verbal now say up to 5-word sentences. Children who were previously not meeting physical milestones now walk unaided.

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Inclusion Strong standard

The key-person system ensures that all children are well supported. Children stay with their key person throughout the day. Staff consider all children's individual care routines and needs when planning activities. Children enjoy exploring the environment, with regular check-ins to their key person. Caring staff reassure and encourage children. This helps them to feel safe and secure.

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Leadership and governance Strong standard

Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for the setting. They continuously review the effectiveness of practice. Leaders consistently reflect on how to improve experiences for all children. They use effective assessment to accurately identify areas for improvement. Leaders take swift action to create plans to support these continued improvements. For example, they have created clear expectations for children's behaviour. Leaders recognise that this is not yet securely embedded among the entire staff team. They are in the early stages of working with staff to ensure a consistent experience for every child. Leaders recognise that some transitions can be unsettling for children. They explain that they are planning adaptations to make to the routine. Leaders recognise that all routines need to consistently support children's welfare and wellbeing.

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Leadership and governance Strong standard

Leaders work collaboratively with staff, families and external partners. This ensures that they maintain effective oversight of the setting. Leaders continuously monitor the effectiveness of the opportunities offered to children. They adapt experiences and strategies so all children make sustained progress. Leaders understand the setting's strengths and celebrate these, creating a positive environment.

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Expected standard

Leaders have created a supportive culture where staff feel valued and respected. They carefully consider staff's workload and make adaptations when needed. Staff receive opportunities to share ideas, reflect on their practice and contribute to decision-making. They have regular opportunities to develop their professional skills. Staff have access to the in-house training programmes that have been specifically developed by leaders.

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Expected standard

Leaders and staff have established thoughtful and positive relationships with parents and carers. Leaders share children's upcoming learning. They hold parents' evenings to discuss children's progress. Leaders engage in regular conversations with families, external partners and local schools. This ensures that effective support for children is implemented in a timely manner.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Leaders set clear expectations for families regarding regular and prompt attendance. They regularly review attendance patterns. Leaders work with external partners, hold meetings and suggest strategies for families who need support.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Staff typically address any incidents of poor behaviour. They clearly explain boundaries to children and discuss the impact their actions have. Staff discuss children's feelings and support them to use strategies to overcome conflict. For example, they use a sand timer to help children take turns. When needed, staff make appropriate adaptations so all children have appropriate rules to follow.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Generally, children develop the skills needed to follow most rules and routines. Staff offer regular praise and reminders to support them. For example, staff play a 'tidy-up song' in the baby room. As children progress through the years, this song continues to play. Pre-school children recognise these audio cues and immediately work together to put the toys away. However, these reminders are not consistently carried out by all staff. Sometimes, staff do not support children to meet the expectations set for them. For example, they tell children about the 'golden rules' at the beginning of the day. However, later, when children run and shout inside, staff do not support them or remind them of those rules. This means that children do not have consistent boundaries or receive support to follow expectations. Leaders recognise there is room for improvement. They have established clear expectations for children's behaviour. They are currently working with staff to embed these consistently.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Leaders identify that this is in the early stages.

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Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard

Leaders recognise the importance of all children having a consistent experience. They identify that routines and transitions need improvement. Leaders explain that this is a part of the ongoing work to consistently embed expectations. For example, babies are sometimes unsettled during some transitions, particularly when staff expect them to wait for mealtimes. Leaders have plans to adapt the routine to best support children during these times.

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Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Staff develop warm, respectful relationships with children. This helps them to feel safe and secure. Staff support children's emotional recognition and regulation. For example, they provide engaging activities, such as puppets, stories and 'feelings mirrors' to help children learn. Children respond positively to staff and their peers. They engage in play with increasing confidence and independence. For example, staff warmly encourage babies as they reach, roll and babble. Babies smile and respond enthusiastically.

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Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Leaders and staff know children and their families well. They work closely with parents, carers and external partners. Children receive targeted help to support their development and wellbeing. For example, children take home 'experience bags'. These help children through various changes, including toilet training, moving house and bereavement. Leaders create an inclusive environment where all children feel valued and supported. Children proudly share personalised books with photos of people important to them as they settle for the first time.

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Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard

Typically, staff support children's welfare and wellbeing effectively throughout the day. For example, children plant in the allotments and discuss healthy eating. This helps them to learn positively about healthy choices. However, staff do not consistently consider the impact transitions have on children's wellbeing. At times, transitions interrupt children's play when they are highly engaged in learning. Other times, children may wait for long periods to transition. This can cause some children to become unsettled. Leaders recognise the need to strengthen routines and transitions. They are working with staff to consistently support children's wellbeing throughout every part of the day.

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What it's like to be a child at this setting

Children enjoy a broad and ambitious curriculum that is well sequenced. Children's interests are carefully considered and staff use them to plan engaging activities. Children develop their curiosity, confidence and independence skills. They demonstrate sustained concentration and enjoyment in their learning. Children gain skills, knowledge, understanding and confidence across all areas of learning. Children's communication skills are prioritised. Leaders recognise that this underpins all other areas of learning. Children inquisitively explore the opportunities around them. This supports them to build problem- solving and social skills. For example, children identify what clothing is needed for changing weather. They work together to match numbers and amounts. All children receive support to access the full curriculum and achieve well.

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Inspectors:

Beth Wilson Amelia Abdullah Children and their families receive a warm welcome into the setting. Staff work closely with families to ensure the correct support is in place for all children. Children are happy and confident as caring staff enthusiastically greet them. They benefit from responsive and sensitive interactions. Children build warm and trusting relationships with staff.

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Inspectors:

Children learn alongside their peers in a highly inclusive environment. Their individuality is recognised and celebrated by attentive staff. Children benefit from the thoughtful adjustments that staff make. This means that all children are able to access every experience available to them. As a result, all children make secure and sustained progress. They develop the necessary skills to create and maintain positive relationships. Children learn to play cooperatively and collaborate together as they take turns. They manage their feelings and behaviour appropriately for their age and stage of development.

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Inspectors:

Children thrive within this nurturing and unique environment. They have opportunities to participate in exciting and inviting activities. These help children to build on their existing knowledge and experiences. For example, they visit the alpacas at the on-site farm. Children take part in forest school sessions. They become a 'garden detective' to assess any risks alongside staff. Children show growing independence and positive attitudes to learning. They develop the knowledge and skills they need for their next stage of learning and life beyond the early years.

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Next steps

Leaders should continue to support staff to consistently embed the behavioural expectations for all children. Leaders should strengthen routines for transitions to consistently prioritise children's wellbeing.

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About this inspection

The inspectors spoke with leaders, staff, the special educational needs coordinator, designated safeguarding leads, children, parents and carers during the inspection.

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About this inspection

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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Address:

Almners Priory Almners Road, Lyne CHERTSEY Surrey KT16 0BH

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Address:

Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Address:

Registered person: Almners (Childcare) Ltd

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Address:

Operating hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 07:30 - 18:00

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Facts and figures used on inspection

This data was available to the inspector at the time of the inspection.

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Exceptional

Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other settings can learn from it.

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Strong standard

The setting reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them.

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Expected standard

The setting is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non ‑ statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them.

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Needs attention

The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements.

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Urgent improvement

The setting needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care.

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Urgent improvement

services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.

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Urgent improvement

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Urgent improvement

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Urgent improvement

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Urgent improvement

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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