Rainbow Pre-School and Out of School Club
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Gillingham for children from birth to 8+, open 07:15 to 17:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in January 2022. Open since 2001, with 30 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Medway
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Medway from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
ME8 8JRWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 27 January 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are eager to enter the pre-school to begin their day. On arrival, they confidently know the routines. For example, they know that they need to hang their coats and wellies up outside. Staff prepare a stimulating range of activities to help children achieve the next step in their learning. Staff are skilled in knowing what support children need to become confident learners.
Children relish spending time in the well-resourced outside area. For example, they use their physical skills to create self-made assault courses safely, using a range of natural resources. Children thrive in the creative area and are encouraged to be independent. For instance, they select the resources they need and are taught how to use the paint decanters. As a result, children are able to access the paint on their own and proudly share their creations with adults. Children behave very well.
They are considerate of others' needs when exploring bugs outside and move so others can have a turn.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- review the organisation of some routines to ensure that all children are engaged in meaningful learning, particularly during transition periods n improve the way feedback is used to inform how the pre-school can develop further.
- 27 January 2022Good
- 24 April 2015Outstanding
- 7 July 2009Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Rainbow Pre-School and Out of School Club
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.