Rainbow Childcare (Kirkby) Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive at this nursery. They bound in full of excitement and eagerly greet staff members with huge smiles. Children are completely engaged and enthralled by the individualised curriculum on offer. The highly passionate staff team show genuine care and strong commitment to every child. They have immensely high expectations for all children, who achieve beyond these expectations. Children show great literacy skills as they label their picture of the queen, with the words 'Queen Elizabeth'. Children jump at every opportunity to show off their impressive knowledge and social skills. Children are kind, compassionate and extremely mature for their ages. They constantly recall deeply embedded learning; they discuss how heavy items sink in the water tray and light items will float. Children are emotionally intelligent. They learn about feelings and discuss important events. They are well prepared for the transition to school. Children discuss complex emotions, such as fear and anxiety, as they role play and prepare a soft toy for moving to a 'new school'.

The management team and staff are extremely proud of the children. They clap and cheer, showing pure delight when children master a new skill. This support reflects in children's excellent behaviour. Children are respectful and have an infectious desire to explore and discover. They are motivated and curious learners. Staff recognise that children have experienced fewer opportunities outside of the home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They ensure children spend lots of time outdoors, which helps children to rapidly gain physical skills and close the gaps in learning. Children show impressive levels of confidence. They eagerly share their opinions, engage in conversations and express their choices effectively. Children show that they feel valued and secure in this nursery.

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

• The management team desire every child to succeed and achieve their very best. They have created a curriculum that is challenging and engaging for all children. Staff are determined to ensure excellent quality is consistent across the nursery. They take ownership and responsibility for children's learning, as they help to design and adapt the curriculum to fit each child's unique needs. This passion and commitment of all staff truly benefits every child. This approach ensures all children make remarkable progress.
• Children's communication and language development is a key focus for all children. Staff interactions are of exemplary quality. They consistently model correct language; they ask children thought-provoking questions that start lively discussions and engage children to work collaboratively. For example, when making a tall tower, staff interactions prompt children to use a tree for support. Children are delighted as the tower they create far surpasses their expectations.
• Children develop extremely positive attitudes to learning and the ability to think creatively.
• All members of staff are devoted to ensuring every child gains an understanding of their own, and others, emotions. They implement yoga sessions, which include physical exercises, self-regulation skills, such as waiting and listening, and mindful activities to support children to explore their feelings. Children listen to stories about emotions. They engage in discussions and learn about democracy as they vote for their favourite book or activity. Children are considerate and patient. They are extremely well prepared for modern life in Britain.
• Parents describe the support their children receive from staff at the nursery as 'life changing'. They particularly value the timely, outstanding support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff quickly identify gaps in learning and development. They make swift referrals to other agencies and implement effective strategies to help children develop skills. Parents appreciate how their children have thrived. They note that their children are confident and independent, due to the support they receive from the staff team.
• The management team have embedded a culture of self reflection and all staff constantly strive to improve experiences for children. The arrangements for staff's professional development are amazing. All staff receive targeted support based on improving their practice. Cascading knowledge from the extensive staff-training programme has a huge impact on all staff practice. As a result, staff are highly skilled and children benefit from excellent teaching.
• The curriculum for physical development is extremely strong. Children climb up and over the challenging climbing frame. They show great strength as they safely run and ride around the extensive garden. Children develop their coordination and strength in their hands as they twist and manoeuvre loose parts to create large-scale pretend cars. These activities help children develop strength and dexterity in their play. These skills help prepare children for the next stage of their learning.