About Rainbow

What makes us special?

We believe a positive experience at nursery helps create strong and lasting foundations for later in life

What makes us special?

We believe a positive experience at nursery helps create strong and lasting foundations for later in life and our beautiful homely nursery offers a calm and stimulating environment which is a warm and welcoming extension of home. At Rainbow children are given the time and space to wonder and investigate, talk and ask questions, discover, create and learn and develop authentic relationships nurturing them to become resilience, confident and independence.

My name is Gillian, I founded Rainbow Day Nursery School in September 1985 following a career in nursing and teaching, and Rainbow opened one day following my eldest Grandson’s second Birthday! Over the years Rainbow has grown like “Topsy”. Initially we were registered for 20 children aged 2-5 years old, we then extended and increased to 30 children. In 1993 I moved out of my flat and the “Cherubs” unit was formed providing 15 places for babies. In 2000 I was lucky to win a “Sealed Bid” and purchase the WRVS premises! This provided an area for the Pre-school Explorers and a second large garden. We are now registered for 65 children. During the years my youngest daughter and eldest son have both worked at Rainbow I am now working with my youngest Grandson and enjoying the experience!

My name is Gerry, and I am the Finance Director. I joined Rainbow in 2004 after a career in Business Management. I was employed as the Business Manager and took over this role from my mother who remained in the business as an advisor.

In 2008 we formed a limited company with Gillian and I as Directors. My youngest son joined the business in 2019 when we worked closely together until his appointment as Business Manager in 2020 when he took over the daily running of the Business and I now support him from a more remote position. My wife Naomi has worked at Rainbow since 2001 and is qualified as a Nursery Practitioner level 3. My wife and I have just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. Naomi had a 10-year-old daughter when we married, and we have two sons. We have two granddaughters, one of whom is an apprentice at the Nursery, we also have two young Grandsons, the eldest is enjoying his time at Rainbow. The baby will follow shortly.

My name is Su and I am the Operations Director of the Nursery. My role includes overseeing the Compliance for the setting and I am the Nominated Person for Ofsted. I started my career (many years ago) as a Registered Nurse and then went on to become an Early Years Practitioner after having my children. My passion is Speech and Language and for a number of years I ran my own Baby Signing company, teaching parents/carers and pre-verbal babies to use Sign Language as a way to communicate.

Since qualifying as an Early Years Practitioner, I have been involved in setting up a number of nurseries in the South of England and helping them to obtain their Good or Outstanding ratings with Ofsted. I am also heavily involved in a charity that help the homeless and local families who are in need of assistance. In my spare time I can usually be found walking the family Weimaraner dog on the beach or in the New Forest.

My name is Edward, I joined Rainbow Day Nursery School in 2019 to assist my father, in developing the Business. In October 2020, I became the Business Manager. I work closely with the Nursery Manager and Directors; we have formed an effective working partnership supporting all aspects of Rainbow’s business.

I studied Business and Management at university; however, I am also fortunate to have my grandmother, Gillian, fully committed to the business and giving me much support as well as my father. I also enjoyed my own early years at Rainbow along with my brother, cousins, and nieces, and we all have many happy childhood memories of the setting. Rainbow has always played an enormous part in our lives.

My name is Sam and I am the Nursery Manager. I joined Rainbow in 2022 as I wanted to be involved in a more home away from home, family-oriented setting, with my own daughter due and on the way at the time. I have worked in childcare for around 10 years after starting my apprenticeship at 21 and worked my way up to management roles.

During this time, I have worked in different settings, assisting them to get Good or Outstanding ratings from Ofsted. I have also worked with many outside agencies and alongside BCP. In my spare time, I am an England FA qualified Football Coach. I have coached all age ranges from under 5’s to under 13’s, 14’s and 15’s. I am now currently Manager of, and coaching a Men’s team, where I am also signed as a player.

My name is Nat, I am one of the team leaders and Special educational needs Co-ordinator (SENDCo.) I have worked in childcare settings for 15 years. I started off my career in childcare at Rainbow back in 2007 where I completed my level 2 & 3 qualifications in childcare and education as well as my SENDCo training.

I then had the opportunity to join a cruise ship working with young children. Following my return, I have worked in different settings with various roles including working as a 1:1 support worker helping families and practitioners to support children with different additional needs, such as Autism, global development delay and speech and language delays. I am passionate about my job and really enjoy being able to share my knowledge and experiences with my colleagues and families to help further support children’s learning and development.

My name is Sarah, I have worked at Rainbow Day Nursery since 2007. I am the Designated Safeguarding Lead (known as the DSL), having completed my Level 3 training for this role in November 2020.

My main responsibilities are to support and guide staff with completing incident forms, however, I work alongside management on a daily basis to safeguard the children and promote their welfare. I am also the Deputy SENCo, having completed my qualification for this role in 2016. (Currently on maternity leave)

Our Ethos

Respectful

We believe respecting our children as individuals will encourage their personalities to develop, promoting their independence, creativity and resilience.

Authentic

We believe Rainbow is a place for children to encounter authentic experiences which ignite their curiosity, wonder and awe

Individual

We believe everyone makes a difference and we embrace and encourage children to be themselves

Nurturing

We believe children’s play should be nurtured, creating an atmosphere where children can feel confident that their ideas and voice can be heard and valued.