Rainbow Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Staff plan varied learning experiences and engage in children's play to support their learning. Staff support children's cutting skills and introduce early mathematical ideas as children make their own puzzles. They share stories with children, supporting their early language and literacy skills.

Staff encourage children to describe textures while reading a sensory based story and to join in retelling familiar stories. Children are motivated to learn and keen to participate.Staff promote children's health and their emotional and social development.

They provide children with a nutritious, vegetarian diet. Children have... lots of opportunities to be physically active. They develop core strength as they play on climbing equipment and the trampoline.

Staff help children to understand and name their emotions and to express these appropriately. They help children to regulate their behaviour. Staff provide moments of calm, called 'me time', where children relax and listen to peaceful music.

Older children learn about themselves and their 'superpowers', such as being kind and brave. Children enjoy opportunities to play together and are beginning to develop early friendships. Children are developing the skills they need to understand themselves and to build successful relationships in the future.

Parents are very happy with the care and education that the nursery provides. They comment that their children have made good progress. Staff work in partnership with parents to ensure continuity of care.

Staff share information with parents when they collect their children and send photos through the day. Children enjoy their time at nursery and are well prepared for the next steps in their education, including school.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

The key-person system is very well established at the nursery.

Relationships between staff and children are warm and affectionate. Key persons share videos of themselves before children start nursery. They offer consistent support through the settling-in period to help children feel safe in their new environment.

Children form close attachments with their main carers. They demonstrate that they feel secure and confidently explore their environment.Children are confident communicators, and staff value their ideas.

Staff teach children to take turns in conversations and to listen to the ideas of others. They introduce new vocabulary to children, such as 'erupt' as they talk about volcanoes. Children are keen to talk about what they are doing and about their experiences.

All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, are making good progress.The nursery values the importance of play, and staff readily engage in children's play to extend their learning. For example, they encourage children to use their imaginations as they pretend to create magical potions.

They help children to problem-solve as they use construction materials to build crash helmets. However, on occasion, staff do not support children's play as well as they might, particularly for the under threes.Children of different ages play together through much of the day.

This provides opportunities for children to learn from older peers and to spend time with their siblings. However, there are occasions when the play of older children results in the youngest children's needs not being fully met.Staff promote and encourage children's curiosity and their thinking skills.

Young children enjoy exploring different objects in the 'treasure island'. They investigate what things do and how they work. Older children experiment with a pulley and crate and objects that roll in the outdoor area.

Each day, children take part in 'blue sky thinking' sessions, where staff encourage children to share their ideas and to later evaluate their learning. Children are curious and confident and are learning to think creatively.Staff foster children's independence well.

Children make independent choices about how they spend their time. They take responsibility for their belongings and manage their personal care. Even the youngest children enjoy serving their own lunches.

They show pride in the new skills they are gaining.Staff work collaboratively with parents when they have concerns about a child's development. They tailor support to target children's specific needs.

This may include providing additional resources, nurture group activities or additional time with key persons. This ensures the very best outcomes for all children.The leadership team evaluates the effectiveness of the nursery and is committed to continuous improvement.

Leaders use research to guide their practice. They have high expectations for their staff. Staff receive relevant training and are supported in developing the knowledge and skills they need to carry out their roles effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: strengthen staff's interactions with younger children to meet their individual needs review and enhance the effectiveness of the daily routine and environment in supporting curriculum delivery for children under three.