The Red House Nursery School

Chickens, guinea pigs and apple blossom give The Red House Nursery School a recognisable character. In April 2026, children gathered on logs, collected eggs and talked about how bees help apples grow. Nature supplied practical opportunities to compare, question and take responsibility.

At its 29 April 2026 inspection, Ofsted awarded Strong standard across all six assessed areas and confirmed that safeguarding standards were met. The nursery has capacity for 16 children at The Old Vicarage in Upton Bishop, Ross-on-Wye; children attending in April 2026 were aged two to four.

In April 2026, outdoor play occupied much of the day. Children balanced on logs, built with wooden planks and rode bikes, while less confident children could watch before participating. Older children helped younger ones. These experiences combined physical challenge with opportunities to practise patience and cooperation.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, April 2026 activities brought conversation, counting, stories and physical play together. Staff used children's interests to shape activities and asked questions that encouraged them to think. Comparing eggs from different chickens made size meaningful; counting in English and French brought language into number work.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar became an interactive story using handmade props and food shapes that children counted. The Good Morning Song paired singing with movement. Children also took turns reading to one another before snack time, giving books a social role alongside listening and storytelling.

At the April 2026 inspection, Ofsted found rapid progress from children's starting points and personalised support for children with SEND, while identifying further work on removing barriers as the next step towards greater impact on achievement and wellbeing.

In April 2026, staff adjusted resources and the environment to help children participate. Staff provided home activities for children occasionally unable to attend because of medical conditions or hospital stays, and staff exchanged information with specialists. That linked support across nursery, home and professional services.

Settling followed each child's pace in April 2026, with sensitive interactions and familiar routines. A daily child leader helped with practical jobs, including collecting eggs. Staff maintained close relationships with parents and shared detailed information when children attended another setting, helping adults coordinate their care. Fruit and milk featured in children's understanding of healthy eating.

The address is The Old Vicarage, Upton Bishop, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 7UL. In April 2026, opening hours were 9am to 12.30pm, Tuesday to Friday. This was a morning opening window rather than evidence of a particular booking package.

Preparation for school in April 2026 centred on developing communication, concentration and cooperation. Children negotiated turns over books and practised explaining rules to each other: useful skills for joining a new group.

• Outdoor emphasis. Much of the April 2026 day took place outside, including animal care and balancing on logs. This is a relevant choice for families who value learning through nature and movement.
• Individual support. The April 2026 next step concerned extending the impact of work to remove learning barriers. Families whose children need extra help should weigh that alongside the personalised adaptations described above.
• Morning attendance. April 2026 opening hours covered Tuesday to Friday mornings. What attendance patterns and current hours can you book for your child?

The Red House suits families drawn to outdoor activity, animal care and learning woven into stories and conversation. Its April 2026 morning opening pattern is relevant to parents seeking a shorter nursery day. The strong inspection judgements sit alongside a specific next step: making support for children facing barriers still more effective.