St Richard's Church of England Primary School Nursery

Singing games, shared stories and practical making give St Richard's nursery its character. This is the nursery provision within the Church of England primary school on Forge Lane in Hanworth, with a September intake of 26 children starting in the term after their third birthday.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 8 and 9 March 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Play provides the starting point for learning. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children explore numbers, shapes and measurement through practical activities. Making things involves choosing tools and working out how to join materials, with opportunities to handle and put away equipment safely. These are useful early steps towards independence as well as learning.

Paint, collage, crayons and model making give children ways to express ideas and practise hand control. Music brings another kind of participation: Nursery children use songs, listening games and percussion, matching their movements to a beat and trying singing alone or in small groups. Christmas performances and collective worship provide occasions to share that singing with the school community.

Reading begins with rhymes, stories and games. In March 2023, staff supported early years children's language and vocabulary well, while established routines helped give the day structure. Adults encouraged children to explore the equipment outdoors. The Nursery Dream Reads challenge extends books into family life, with 25 titles across the school year and encouragement to share them at bedtime. That gives parents a concrete way to join in.

Early years leadership sits within the senior team: the assistant headteacher is also the EYFS leader, and the staff team includes an early years practitioner. For questions about a child, the class teacher is the first contact. Families can approach the SENDCO through the school office or at SEND@strichards.hounslow.sch.uk.

Support can address communication, learning, emotional needs or physical and sensory needs, with help provided in school and, where needed, by outside professionals. This gives families a route to discuss support rather than leaving concerns until later.

Lunch is an option for morning attenders as well as part of the longer provision. A daily lunchtime supervision charge applies to children taking the 30-hour provision, with a school meal included; morning children can stay for lunch under the same charging arrangement.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Choosing the nursery and applying for school are distinct decisions.

For families planning several years ahead, keep the Reception application as a separate task rather than treating nursery enrolment as securing the next place.

Two nursery patterns have specific hours: the morning session runs from 8.45am to 11.45am and is labelled 15 hours; the morning and afternoon session runs from 8.45am to 3.00pm and is labelled 30 hours. The longer pattern includes lunchtime, so its supervision charge belongs in the family's planning. Contact the school for current charges.

Before and after school care also covers Nursery children. General enquiries go to the office on 020 8898 0848 or office@strichards.hounslow.sch.uk. Prospective parents can arrange a school visit by telephone. A visit offers a practical opportunity to see the setting before applying.