Business Details
36 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare & Early Years Education in Lymm
Rainbow Day Nursery in Lymm has been a trusted provider of early years education and childcare since 1990, operating under the family's direction since 2022. Our Ofsted-registered nursery offers a nurturing environment for children aged 0-5 years, with flexible hours from 7:30am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday. Our experienced manager Michelle and dedicated team prioritise individual care through a key person approach, supported by staff with over 10-20 years' tenure. We maintain a 5-star food hygiene rating and provide seasonal, nutritionally balanced meals prepared on-site.Our purpose-built facility features accessible ground-floor rooms, extensive outdoor spaces, and Forest School learning led by a qualified instructor. We utilise the eyLog app for real-time parental updates on children's development and daily activities. With a 'Good in all areas' Ofsted rating from 2023, we combine structured learning with free play to foster confidence, social skills, and school readiness. Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures children benefit from stimulating resources, safety-focused practices, and strong home-nursery partnerships.
Services
Baby Room Care
Toddler Development
Early Learner Programs
Pre-School Readiness
Forest School Learning
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- Experienced manager with 20+ years in childcare leadership
- Ofsted 'Good in all areas' rating from 2023 inspection
- 5-star food hygiene rating with seasonal, home-cooked meals
- Forest School learning with qualified instructor
- Flexible hours from 7:30am-6:00pm, 50 weeks/year
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Genuine care and love
Confidence growth
Fantastic staff
Excellent communication
Stimulating activities
Services
Baby Room Care
Our Baby Room provides a gentle, stimulating environment for infants with a maximum of 9 babies at a time. Qualified practitioners support developmental milestones through sensory play and outdoor exploration on artificial grass areas. Separate changing facilities ensure privacy, while double doors provide direct access to secure outdoor play spaces. Daily routines prioritise individual care needs and parental communication.
Forest School Learning
Led by a qualified Forest School Leader, our outdoor programme develops physical strength and confidence through nature-based activities. Children engage in hands-on exploration of natural environments, building resilience and imagination. Sessions follow long-term plans tailored to developmental needs, with risk assessments ensuring safety during all-weather outdoor learning experiences.
Pre-School Readiness
Our Pre-School room focuses on school transition skills through structured group activities and independent exploration. We collaborate with local primary schools to ensure smooth educational progression. Forest School participation builds self-esteem, while phonics, maths, and creative sessions develop academic foundations in an engaging, play-based curriculum.
Nutritional Meal Provision
Awarded 5-star food hygiene compliance, our kitchen provides seasonal three-week rotational menus with vegetarian options. Meals are prepared on-site and shared daily via the eyLog app. We accommodate dietary requirements and allergies, with staff trained in food safety and nutrition to support children's growth and development through balanced eating habits.
Key Person System
Each child is assigned a dedicated key person who monitors their development and interests. This practitioner maintains detailed observations, shares daily updates with parents, and plans individualised learning activities. The system ensures consistent care while fostering strong relationships between staff, children, and families through regular communication.
People
Michelle Smith
Nursery Manager
With extensive childcare experience, Michelle leads our team in delivering high-quality early years education. She ensures consistent Ofsted compliance and oversees daily operations while maintaining direct engagement with children and families through regular communication and care oversight.
Alice Apel
Director
As Director, Alice provides strategic leadership for Rainbow Day Nursery's operations. She maintains overall responsibility for policy implementation and quality standards across all areas of the family-run business, ensuring alignment with educational best practices and regulatory requirements.
Questions
What age range do you cater for?
We provide care for children from 0 to 5 years old across our Baby Room, Toddler Room, Early Learner, and Pre-School rooms.
Is the nursery Ofsted registered?
Yes, we are Ofsted-registered and received a 'Good in all areas' rating during our 2023 inspection.
How do you communicate with parents?
We use the eyLog app for real-time updates, daily verbal summaries at pick-up, and maintain open communication channels with key persons for each child.
What outdoor facilities do you have?
Our extensive outdoor areas include grassed play spaces, hard play zones with age-appropriate equipment, and dedicated Forest School learning environments accessed daily.
What are your operating hours?
We operate Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 6:00pm, 50 weeks a year, excluding bank holidays and Christmas closure period.
Do you accommodate special dietary needs?
Yes, we're allergy-aware and work closely with parents to meet specific dietary requirements while maintaining our 5-star food hygiene rating.
