Rainbow House Nursery in Hatfield sounded its fire alarm last May, when sensory lights in its toddlers’ room overheated. It was 9.30am and the nursery had to make a full-scale evacuation of 28 staff and 78 children.
Kirsty Collins, who joined the nursery as manager two months before the fire, says, ‘The children didn’t know anything about the fire itself but were very excited when they saw police cars arriving. They were singing nursery rhymes while they were waiting for their parents to come and collect them.’
While children saw nothing of the damage, one room was entirely gutted and the whole building had to be refurbished. Rainbow House was forced to close for three months and 80 per cent of staff and children were re-located to different nurseries within a ten mile radius.
Ms Collins found herself heavily involved in co-ordinating the refurbishment – dealing with builders, decorators and carpet layers – and she involved all staff in what became a huge collaborative effort to achieve a new nursery environment. Donations were made from the local community to replace toys that were destroyed, while some were rescued and cleaned.
‘During the period of closure the whole staff team supported each other and had input into the set-up of the refurbished nursery down to the last details,’ she says. ‘Staff decided on the colour of new paint for their rooms, the layout and the equipment purchased. This was a real morale boost, giving everyone a sense of ownership and belonging. It has resulted in a solid staff team and this is the basis for providing a very warm and welcoming environment.’
The nursery re-opened in August 2011, and with the renewal of its lease in October, changed its name to Bright Comets Day Nursery. At the same time it decided to sign up to the Herts Quality Standards which has proved a spur to undertaking new projects. These have included developing its outdoor area with new growing programmes and giving the children more choice about spending time outside. For example, older children can now decide whether they want to eat their rolling snack indoors or out.
The inspection, which took place in April, praised the nursery’s commitment to equality and diversity, and working effectively with parents. It also noted high standards of safety and security which encourage independence.
Ms Collins says, ‘Although the nursery has the same basic structure as it had before, it has a very different feel. We are determined to continue work closely with parents, to reflect on everything we do, and continue to improve.’
All staff were involved in equipping the refurbished nursery (above).
