About Rainbow Nursery Schools

Serving families in Richmond and Sheen since 1979……

My first experience of the Rainbow ‘magic’ was in the summer of 1995 as a Nanny to a Richmond family. I am a fully qualified NNEB Nursery Nurse. Rainbow was also the setting for my last family, who had a child who was profoundly deaf, as I knew that Rainbow would be the most nurturing of environments for a child who was already experiencing more challenges than most. I know that her family always hold Rainbow in very high regard, as do countless other families in the area, and that its uniqueness is what makes it so special to so many.

I subsequently left nannying and returned to my studies at Roehampton University reading Early Childhood Studies and Education. A Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) followed and this also gave me Qualified Teacher Status. I also chose Early Childhood for my PGCE teaching specialism so Nursery and Reception Year groups are a real passion of mine.

I have taught locally for ten years, leaving a teaching position in December 2011 when our son was born. I have been a full time Mum since then and have continued my own learning journey, when time allows, by currently studying for an MA in Education.

My family live in Isleworth and I have been on the Governing body of our local school for three years.

Our son has had two wonderful years at Rainbow with the lovely Rainbow ladies and I am delighted that Mrs Hunter has entrusted the continuation of the Rainbow legacy to me when she retires at the end of this academic year. I will endeavour to build on the reputation that it holds within the locality and to strive to keep its uniqueness, traditions and nurturing culture that make it so special.

I very much look forward to getting to know you all and especially having lots of Rainbow fun and adventures with your children.

Mrs Lavinia Pashley – Wilkins. BA Hons, QTS, NNEB

Principal of Rainbow Nursery Schools

Our day explained

 

  1. RAINBOW’s schedule is designed to be accommodating, while adhering to a basic routine of learning through free play and adult directed activities.
  2. As children arrive they self-register and a more formal daily attendance register is taken by a designated member of the Team.
  3. Free-play, which starts the day whether inside or out, is supervised and children are encouraged to mix and communicate with one another. Learning takes place in small groups which entails language & literacy, mathematics and knowledge and understanding of the world.
  4. A mid-morning break for milk/water and snack forms part of a social session. Children will be offered a seasonal selection of fresh fruit, dried fruit, rice cake with a healthy topping or breadstick to choose from.
  5. The second part of the morning incorporates creativity, dance, drama, music or cooking in groups, ending the session with a group story time.

General Information

We hold regular watching sessions & parent consultations to enable parents to meet one another and discuss their child’s development with the members of staff. We have a strong parent partnership, with parent representatives in each setting.

We hold a Christmas concert, a school outing and a Sports day in the Summer Term whereby all groups (morning and afternoon) attend collectively and we encourage parent participation on these days.

 

Rainbow Nursery School Curriculum

Curriculum Introduction
All children need to experience a planned programme of activities and experiences tailored to their stage of development. Taking into account their individual needs, the play activities provided by RAINBOW are an essential element of the programme.
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Children will be encouraged to build friendships with other children and adults. This will enable them to practice skills of sharing, caring, helping, working together, solving problems and taking responsibility for the environment and themselves. They will be encouraged to concentrate and persevere on individual tasks and to ask for help when needed.
Communication & Language
Children will be given many opportunities to talk about their experiences and to listen to others; they will be encouraged to express their own ideas in ways which can be understood. They will hear stories, rhymes, poems and songs and when confidant will join in with them. Books will always be readily available to children for looking at, to listen to, to read and to recognise the printed words and pictures.
Physical Development
Children will be given opportunities both indoors and outdoors, to develop, practice and master skills of balance, movement, running, jumping, climbing. At all times, children are closely supervised to ensure safety. They will be encouraged to test their own abilities and activities which are fun, and monitor how their body changes whilst doing physical exercise.
Mathematics
Children will have the opportunities provided by many different activities to match, sort, sequence, count, and order everyday objects, which form the basis of understanding of mathematics. Through this knowledge, they will be able to solve problems. They will hear examples of the language of mathematics; identify objects by shape, size, number etc. Simple rhymes will help them learn number sequences.
Literacy
Materials for writing and drawing will be available and children will be helped to understand the purpose of writing.
Expressive Arts & Design
Activities for creative play will always be available including paint, crayons, pencils, gluing, collage, model making, etc. Children will be provided with opportunities to respond to music and recognisable artistic works. They will have the opportunities for imaginative play, individually and with others.
Understanding the world
Children will be offered the chance to explore and experiment with natural and man-made materials. They will be able to compare and identify the features of different objects, recognise similarities and differences and talk about their discoveries with other children and adults. Children explore and come to understand their environment within the group and in the wider community.

Application & Policy Information

Click the button below for more information about application and our policies.

View our policies

Apply for a place

If you would like a place for your child at one of our Rainbow Nursery Schools, please send us an application form.

Application form