About Us  

Rainbow Pre-school was established on 8th September 1984.

 

Our pre-school lead is Mrs Donna Ellis, and her deputy is Mrs Carla Dabbs. We are run by a parent elected committee and our daily running is in co-operation with them.

 

The Committee consists of a chair, secretary, treasurer and several general members. Like you, they are all parents with children attending the pre-school, so your children benefit from what they do behind the scenes; without the Committee, Rainbow Pre-School cannot run.

 

The main function of the Committee is fundraising. They organise many events and activities throughout the year, and with the enormous generosity of those who participate, they have all been very successful.

 

Our aims are:

 

• To give outstanding quality care in a safe and stimulating environment in which pre-school aged children can attain their full potential by developing as individuals.

• To work within a framework which ensures equality of opportunity for all children and families.

 

Our offer for your child:

 

• A specially tailored curriculum for pre-school children, leading to approved learning outcomes.

• Individual care and attention made possible by a high ratio of adults to children, currently 1:5 for under 3’s, and 1:8 for 3 and 4 year olds.

• Fun and friendship with children and other adults.

• The support of a personal keyperson.

• Opportunities for you and your family to be directly involved in the activities within the pre-school and your child’s progress.

 

Our pre-school meets Monday to Friday 9.00 to 12.00pm and 11.55 to 3.00pm, during term time, (dates available separately). Our setting offers education and care for children from the term in which children turn 2½ years up to school age.

 

We hope that your child’s time in pre-school will be a very happy and productive one. If you have any queries or if we can be of any help, please contact the staff or committee at any time.

Rainbow Pre-school Ofsted Report

Meet the Aunties 

We are proud of the high ratio of adults to children in our setting, as it ensures individual attention for the needs and development of each child. We have 12 members of staff in our employ who work on various days of the week. According to demand, or in exceptional circumstances, we operate with a minimum of 6 adults per session for a maximum of 32 children. All staff have undertaken pre-school learning courses and 9 are qualified to run a pre-school. Several of our staff are also qualified in Makaton (sign and say), Talk boost, Elklan, first aid (at least 1 per session), child observation, special needs and food hygiene. We also employ 2 members of staff as administrators.

 

Name
Job Description 
Qualification
First Aid
Safeguarding

Donna Ellis 

Pre-school Lead

Level 3

Yes

Designated

Carla Dabbs 

Deputy Pre-school Lead

Level 3

Yes

Designated Deputy

Elaine Marriott

Pre-school Practitioner

Level 5

Yes

Designated Deputy

Lyne Cullis

Pre-school Practitioner

Level 3

No

Level 2

Sharon Simons

Pre-school Practitioner

Level 3

No

Level 2

Sara Hicklin

Pre-school Practitioner

Level 3

Yes

Level 2

Sam Frost 

Pre-school Practitioner

Level 3

Yes

Level 2

Laura Bartlett

Pre-school Practitioner

Level 2

Yes

Level 2

Ed Voyce

Pre-school Practitioner

Level 2

No

Level 2

Liz Smith

Pre-school Office Admin

 

Yes

Level 2

Michelle Row

Pre-school Office Admin

 

Yes

Level 2

If you are unable to see the table above please see the pdf version here 

Our keyperson system gives each member of staff particular responsibility for a group of children so that each child in the group has at least one special adult to relate to; we find this can make settling into the setting easier for the child. In addition, the keyperson is in a position to tailor the curriculum to the unique needs of each individual child. A keyperson will normally be assigned to your child at their first session. Some of the children’s project work is stored in a folder designated for your child at pre-school along with the keyperson’s observation notes; this ensures that a record of achievements and progress is held. Parents are free to access these, or to talk to their child’s keyperson at any time. We encourage ongoing discussions throughout your child’s time at Rainbow and annually at the Annual General Meeting. Your child’s folder is released to parents/guardians at the end of the child’s time at pre-school.