Richmond House School Nursery Review

Number play, specialist PE and a kindness bear give Richmond House’s youngest children a day that combines learning with practising how to get along. Nursery and Pre-School form part of this independent school on Otley Road in North Leeds, with entry from age two. At the February 2025 ISI inspection, the early years provision included two Nursery classes.

Flexible full days, with at least two days a week recommended, make this a provision families can fit around different attendance patterns.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum takes practical form through communication, early number work, physical development and learning to cooperate. In February 2025, staff understood children’s interests and individual needs and used them to shape activities. Adults demonstrated speaking, listening and phonics, helping children build the language skills they need to express themselves and begin reading.

Mathematics includes exploring alternative ways of making a number. Role play also introduces money, giving an everyday context to early mathematical ideas. Children practise responsibility through jobs such as leading a line, while adults help them play together and consider other people. These are small tasks with a useful purpose: learning involves relationships as well as letters and numbers.

Specialist sports coaches teach PE from Nursery, using the gym and sports fields to develop balance, coordination and agility. Pre-School gained a new classroom through the conversion of a former IT suite in summer 2025. A May 2026 visit to Leeds Wellness gave Pre-School children another practical topic to explore: looking after their teeth.

In February 2025, early years children achieved well across their learning. Activities in most lessons, including early years, reflected children’s needs and existing knowledge; across the school, however, this was inconsistent, and matching teaching to assessment remained an improvement priority.

Emotional development receives individual attention. In February 2025, adults helped children recognise feelings and manage behaviour, using the kindness bear to celebrate considerate actions. Staff also encouraged children to taste unfamiliar foods. That gives mealtimes a learning purpose alongside the care routine.

Early years leaders had appropriate training, worked with staff on further training needs and addressed safeguarding concerns. Required adult-to-child ratios were maintained in early years classes, providing a concrete staffing safeguard.

Before an offer, Nursery and Pre-School applicants attend a Getting to Know You session, spending roughly half an hour with early years leaders or class teachers. This provides an introductory meeting with the team. For ongoing concerns, the SEND policy directs parents first to their child’s class teacher and provides meetings and individual consultations.

Additional support. Admission depends on whether the school can meet a child’s needs, and parents may need to agree to an extra support package. Discussing known or suspected needs during registration helps establish the arrangements before entry.

Attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. The admissions policy gives children already at Richmond House priority and describes progression from Pre-School as usual, but allows the school to decline a Reception place according to a child’s needs and behaviour. Priority and a guaranteed offer are different things.

This independent school handles admission directly through its Registrar. Families joining Reception follow the school’s application process; existing Pre-School families should treat progression as subject to the policy’s conditions. Parents choosing to leave rather than continue must give written notice a full term ahead, or fees in lieu become payable.

Nursery bookings can cover any number of days and can combine attendance with wraparound care and Holiday Club. Term-time wraparound provision runs from 7:30am to 6:00pm. Pre-Care includes breakfast, and After-Care includes a light tea, extending the childcare day around school sessions.

Universal and extended Funded Early Education Entitlement arrangements are included in the nursery fee structure, with extended funding dependent on government eligibility. Remaining charges cover additional attendance hours and specialist or qualified teaching, alongside trips, events, food and consumables. Funded hours therefore need to be considered alongside the complete package. Contact the school for current charges and a quotation for your attendance pattern.

Enquiries go to admissions@rhschool.org or 0113 513 8766. Personal visits can be booked during the school day from Monday to Friday, giving parents an opportunity to meet staff and discuss their family’s requirements.