Our Playgroup
At Rainbow Playgroup we offer a fun and stimulating environment for children aged 2-4 years and have a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities so our children can make varied choices about what they want to play with. We are Ofsted registered and rated as ‘Good’. Our staff are all qualified, most having been with us for many years which enables us to provide our children with a wealth of experience in early years childcare and education.
Our Ethos & Curriculum
Our staff focus is on high quality interaction with the children and providing a safe and stimulating environment in which they thrive and learn. By observing their play and interacting fully with the children we are able to plan and guide their learning and support their development. These observations are part of a Learning Journal which is shared regularly with parents.
We carry out a check at 2 years. This assessment is to identify the child’s strengths and highlights the areas in which the child’s progress is less than expected.
Rainbow Playgroup follows the Early Years Foundation stage framework using the four guiding principles to guide our practice.
- Every child is a unique child
- Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships
- Children learn and develop well in enabling environments
- Children develop and learn at different rates
Play is essential for children’s development and at Rainbow Playgroup children learn by leading their own play and by taking part in play which is guided by adults.
Our environment is always being enhanced and modified to meet the diverse needs and interests of our children.
The Rainbow Environment
Our purpose-built play setting has a large room, with a quiet reading corner and there is a generous outdoor space. We aim to have free-flow between these areas whenever possible at all times of the year. Outside there is a paved area, grass and a learning shed. The children have access to crates, tyres, gutters, mud kitchen, water etc for building and investigation.
Our staff focus is on interacting with the children and providing a safe and stimulating environment in which they thrive and learn. By observing their play and interacting fully with the children we are able to plan and guide their learning and support their development.
Attendance Options & Term Dates
We open from 8.30 to 3.00 on Mondays to Thursday and from 8.30 to 12.00 on Fridays.
We run as a sessional playgroup with three hour sessions 9.00 -12.00 and 12.00 -3.00. These sessions can be taken back-to-back to provide a full day. Children staying for the day will need to bring lunch.
‘Before School Care’ is available from 8.30 – 9.00. This can be used as part of the free entitlement if 8.30 is your child’s regular start time. If an earlier start of 8.15 is required, this can be arranged but is not part of the free entitlement.
We are open in term time only for 38 weeks a year.
Autumn Term 2023
Wednesday 6th September – Open for Autumn term
Friday 20th October – Close for half-term holiday
Monday 30th October – Playgroup re-opens
Wednesday 20th December – Close for Christmas holiday
Spring Term 2024
Monday 8th January – Open for Spring term
Friday 16th February – Close for half-term
Tuesday 27th February – Playgroup re-opens
Thursday 28th March – Close for Easter Holiday
Summer Term 2024
Monday 15th April – Open for Summer term
Monday 6th May – Bank Holiday (Playgroup closed)
Friday 24th May – Close for half term
Monday 3rd June – Playgroup re-opens
Tuesday 23rd July – Close for summer holidays
Snacks and Lunch
We provide a healthy snack following the government guidelines for early years settings. We offer a variety of healthy snacks and encourage the children to try new tastes and textures of food. We offer a choice of fresh tap water or milk to drink. Children bring their own packed lunches and the staff and children sit and eat together.
N.B. We have a strict NO NUTS policy.
Trips Out / Visits
We enhance our curriculum and foster links with the local community with trips out and visits for the children. These have included learning walks, tea at a nearby café, shopping for ingredients for snacks /cookery activities and visits from the emergency services.
School Links
We have close links with the primary schools in the Oundle area to facilitate a smooth transition for your child as they move on to the next stage of their education.
Funding Options
Childcare vouchers:
We accept childcare vouchers. Please ask for more information.
Free Entitlement:
The free entitlement is designed to offer all children 15 hours per week of free early learning and childcare starting in the term after their third birthday. Some children are entitled to a further 15 hours per week. Please ask for details. The free entitlement can be taken at two provisions. It is available from 8.30 to 3.00 (Mondays – Thursdays) and 8.30 to 12.00 (Fridays)
Two Year Funding:
Some children are entitled to 15 years of free funding from the age of 2. Please ask for more information.
More Info & Next Steps
We delight in helping the children in our care to flourish, and are proud of our long track record of developing happy, rounded children that are ready to take the next step to their first school. But don’t just take our word for it, have a look at our many Parent Testimonials. You can also find out more about Our Team.
For more in-depth information please download our POLICIES & PROCEDURES document. It contains:
Health & Hygiene Policy, Procedures for Outings, Administration of Medicine, Behaviour Management, Safety – Policy and Practice, Safeguarding and Child Protection, Admissions Policy, Child Illness, Complaints Procedure, Non-collection of Children, Lost Child Procedures, Inclusion & Equal Opportunity, Special Educational Needs & Disability, Charging Policy, Whistle Blowing Policy, Staff Behaviour Policy, e-safety Policy, Privacy Policy, Settling In.
If you have any questions or would like to apply to register, we’d love to hear from you – drop us a message via our Contact Page or call 07542 089540.