Nursery where toddlers pour own drinks rated ‘outstanding’
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
A nursery where toddlers pour their own drinks and do up buttons on their coats has been rated ‘Outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted.
Rainbow Day Nursery in Petts Wood, Bromley, has been praised by the education watchdog for the behaviour and attitudes seen by its children, as well as the management of the nursery itself.
The nursery, in Southborough Lane, was noted for the high expectations staff had for children of all ages. The inspector said that babies practise increasingly complex physical skills such as rapidly learning to crawl and walk as well as navigating paving stones and puddles in the garden.
Molly Schantz, manager of the nursery, said: “I think for us it’s about really valuing the children as individuals and supporting their current milestones, but also being able to challenge the children and extend on opportunities.
“We put in a lot of training with our staff to develop their knowledge and understanding of child development to ensure our children are being provided with the best opportunities within our nursery.
“We work closely with parents to find out what the children are doing at home so that we can build upon that here in the nursery environment.
“Our garden has a very open plan, so all age groups are mixing and interacting with one another each day. This allows the babies to gain different skills because they’re following and learning through the older children.”
The report said children were encouraged to persevere and keep on trying, with older children playing sensitively with babies and showing high levels of emotional maturity.
Ms Schantz said staff at the nursery were ‘proud beyond words’ at the recent result. She said the nursery had received excellent feedback from parents which has made the staff feel valued and appreciated in their jobs.
Brid Stenson, owner of Rainbow Day Nursery Petts Wood, said: “The result of our ‘Outstanding’ grade means a great deal to all the staff who are working daily to ensure that the children and their families are given the best care and education possible.
“The Ofsted inspection is one day every six years but the ability to retain the ‘Outstanding’ grade is a result of what the team does for all the days in between inspections.”
Pictured top: Children and staff of the nursery shown celebrating the recent Ofsted result (Picture: Rainbow Day Nursery Petts Wood)
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