Oasis Academy Ryelands Nursery

Three-hour sessions or a longer day with a packed lunch: the nursery at Oasis Academy Ryelands gives families distinct ways to organise the week. This is the academy’s provision for children aged 3-4, on Oakley Road in South Norwood. There are 52 nursery spaces, based on 26 children per session. Those session numbers matter when choosing a pattern of attendance: a preferred session depends on space.

Counting and conversation are concrete features of learning here. In March 2023, Ofsted noted that nursery staff helped children establish accurate counting, while early-years teaching developed vocabulary through a language-rich environment. These are practical foundations for understanding numbers and expressing ideas.

The choice of session also shapes the day. Morning and afternoon attendance each lasts three hours; full-time attendance runs from 8:30am until either 2:30pm or 3:30pm. Children staying full time bring lunch from home each day, making lunch preparation part of the family’s routine.

Starting nursery is staggered across the first two weeks of term, with the academy aiming to ease children into their new setting. The main intakes take place at the beginning of each term. For a child taking their first steps into group care, that phased start is a useful distinction from everyone beginning together.

The nursery team includes a teacher, teaching assistants and a support assistant, with an Early Years Phase Leader who also has the Nursery Manager role. There is also a deputy safeguarding lead for EYFS, giving early years a specific role within the academy’s safeguarding structure.

Families concerned about additional needs can contact the Inclusion Manager. Across the academy, support begins with monitoring progress and providing additional help. Continuing concerns lead to a meeting involving parents and the class teacher, agreed support and further monitoring. Referrals to specialists, including a speech and language therapist or educational psychologist, require parental consent. This gives parents a role in decisions about further support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline. Reception applications go through the local council; for Ryelands, the contact is Croydon Council Primary Admissions. Treat that application as a separate task from arranging nursery attendance.

Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am, and afternoon sessions from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Full-time options finish at 2:30pm or, with an additional daily hour, at 3:30pm. Eligible children aged 3-4 can receive 15 funded hours weekly over 38 weeks; eligible families with a valid Entitlement Code can use the 30-hour option. Families without that entitlement can request a paid full-time place.

Booking commitment. Additional hours depend on availability and must be booked for the whole week. They cannot be added casually for individual days, so match the commitment to your regular childcare needs.

Payments are made in advance through MCAS; families using Tax-Free Childcare should contact the school office. Charges still apply during absence. Ask the academy for current charges. Nursery applications go directly to the academy, and visits can be arranged by emailing office@oasisryelands.org or calling 020 8656 4165.