RAINBOW ROOM (3-5’s)

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Staffing ratios of 1:8 are adhered to which is in accordance with Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Guidance. The HighScope Routine is followed consistently in the Rainbow Room as the children understand the passage of time and learn they are capable of making decisions and problem solving. Research shows that planning time and review time are the two components of the day which are most positively and significantly associated with children’s developmental progress due to their ability to make their own choices, follow their own interests and share their experiences with others, giving them a sense of pride in their ideas. School readiness is an important part of the Rainbow Room as the children prepare a new journey into their school life.

Independence is promoted throughout the whole nursery and the progression of independent abilities show across all three rooms as the children become eager to be able to do more things for themselves.

The Rainbow Room children explore in the front garden and also have access to the back garden at different times. The garden is a large space which caters to lots of different interests and allows children to move freely as they express themselves. Children are able to use gross motor skills which in turn support the development of their fine motor skills.

Activities in the Rainbow Room may include:

Play Trays – encouraging children/s natural curiosity investigating a variety of objects in different ways
Messy play – sand, gloop, water, play dough, paint, chalk, charcoal
Books, songs and instruction activities
Exploring the outside world – exploring the bug hotel, mud kitchen play, climbing frame and slide
Opportunities to explore and interact with older children
Physical play – races, balancing, dancing, bikes and scooters, large blocks and construction
Fine motor activities – lego, cutting fruits and vegetables, scissors
Role play and dressing up
Board games and puzzles
Small World Opportunities