St Ronan's School Nursery Review

Groom’s Cottage and its garden give St Ronan’s youngest department a setting of its own within the school. This is nursery provision on the Tongswood estate in Hawkhurst, where the school admits children from age 2. The cottage provides the indoor base; the garden brings outdoor space alongside it.

At the ISI inspection of 13 to 15 May 2025, Nursery comprised three classes. The early-years findings described children progressing well across their learning, with a balance between activities guided by adults and play children chose themselves. For parents, that means a day with direction and room for independent decisions.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning with everyday development. Communication, movement and relationships sit alongside early literacy, mathematics, creativity and discovering how the world works. These areas are explored through purposeful play, so learning extends beyond a formal lesson.

Drawing, painting and making models help children develop the hand control needed for writing. Stories and play give their first writing a purpose, while letter sounds help them tackle unfamiliar words. Adults use questions and individual challenges to stretch mathematical thinking. In May 2025, early-years teaching supported both confidence and independence.

Outdoor learning is planned into the timetable. Beyond the cottage garden, the nursery and pre-prep use the grounds, including the Pinetum, ponds and Forest School woodland, to explore their surroundings. These are concrete places to investigate the natural world. Role play also introduces early-years children to community roles, giving them opportunities to practise cooperation and consider other people. The May 2025 inspection also recommended more age-appropriate learning about economic matters: provision was not embedded across all phases, leaving financial literacy limited.

There is a practical rhythm to the sessions, too: a hot lunch is served at midday whichever session families choose. Activities differ from day to day, and families can discuss increasing attendance gradually as their child approaches the next stage.

A key person gives children a familiar adult relationship. In May 2025, the early-years key person arrangements helped children feel secure and develop awareness of others’ feelings. Circle time supports emotional regulation; STAG, short for stop, tell, ask and go, gives children a sequence to use when friendships become difficult. Care includes learning what to do next.

For nursery families, a Sharing Book brings together contributions from children, staff and parents. Termly teacher meetings discuss progress and the next steps in learning. The nursery describes its staff as highly qualified and experienced.

Before joining, many children make another visit during the preceding term to meet staff and classmates. Summer induction evenings involve parents, and a Welcome Pack follows before entry. These arrangements introduce families to the people and routines ahead.

In May 2025, SEND support was effective across all phases, with staff, families and external specialists coordinating interventions. Early-years supervision ratios were appropriate. Lunch attracts an additional charge under the funding arrangements, so families should include meals in their planning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families should treat Reception admission as a separate application, following the normal route and deadline for the school they choose.

Transition support is a different matter. In May 2025, children were introduced gradually to new staff and environments from Nursery onwards. Move-up days and staff sharing pastoral information helped maintain continuity. Familiarity can support the change of class; it does not secure admission.

Families can choose a morning from 8:30am to 1pm, an afternoon from noon to 3:30pm, or a whole day from 8:30am to 3:30pm. The number of sessions can be discussed around the child’s needs.

Under the funding arrangements introduced in September 2025, universal entitlement covers up to five three-hour sessions a week, from the term following a child’s third birthday until the term containing their fifth birthday. Funded blocks run from 8:30am to 11:30am. The school offers 31 of the 38 entitlement weeks and states that the remaining seven weeks cannot be claimed at another setting. Families therefore need to plan for that shorter funded year. Extended working-parent funding is not offered for any age group under those arrangements. Time beyond the funded block is charged, as are lunch, consumables, trips and any specialist tuition provided. Ask the school for current charges, and collect promptly to avoid additional charges.

For enquiries or a personal tour, contact the Admissions Team or School Office on 01580 752271. The Ronian Express minibus can carry nursery children only when an older sibling accompanies them, a condition that matters when planning the school journey.