Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre

Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre stands out as one of the few early years settings nationally with both a Child and Adult Psychotherapist and an Art Therapist on staff, providing integrated mental health and emotional support alongside high-quality early education. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in February 2024, this maintained nursery school on the White City Estate in Hammersmith & Fulham serves children aged 1 to 5 with an ambitious curriculum built on strong relationships and inclusive practice. The centre has federated with Vanessa Nursery School since 2016, sharing executive leadership under Michele Barrett while maintaining its distinctive onsite Forest School and comprehensive therapeutic provision. With 120 full-time equivalent places for 3- and 4-year-olds, 28 places for 2-year-olds, and additional daycare in the Yellow Room for children from age 1, Randolph Beresford offers flexible provision that includes vulnerable children not eligible for government funding. Located in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the centre serves the White City and surrounding neighbourhoods.

The centre's ethos centres on nurturing, motivating and inspiring young children while ensuring they are constantly challenged in their learning. Leadership emphasises pride in providing wonderful opportunities for learning and development to children from the local area, with a curriculum designed specifically around the needs of local families. This locally responsive approach is evident in the careful design of the learning environment, which offers what staff describe as "endless possibilities to learn."

Since federating with Vanessa Nursery School in 2016, Randolph Beresford has been able to bring together the very best in early education and care for families across White City and Shepherds Bush. The federation is overseen by a Federated Governing Board, including parent governors, with shared executive leadership allowing both schools to focus budget resources on staff training, recruitment and learning resources rather than administrative duplication.

The atmosphere reflects a commitment to inclusion and therapeutic support uncommon in mainstream early years settings. The presence of dedicated therapists and psychologists provides both direct support to children and families and ongoing professional training for teaching staff, creating an environment where emotional wellbeing is understood as inseparable from learning and development. Parents describe an environment where children's likes, dislikes and individual needs are understood and respected from the outset. The centre's participation in Hammersmith & Fulham's Global Climate Schools programme further reflects its values, teaching children about their impact on the world and environmental care from the earliest age.

Randolph Beresford delivers the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework through five qualified teachers working in inclusive classrooms. The teaching focuses on the important knowledge and skills the school wants children to know and remember, with a curriculum described by Ofsted as ambitious for all children. The latest inspection in February 2024 confirmed that teaching is highly effective, with children benefiting from carefully planned learning experiences both indoors and outdoors.

Every child is assigned a designated Key Person who acts as their advocate throughout their time at the nursery. This relationship forms the foundation of the school's approach, ensuring individual learning journeys are understood and supported. The school engages effectively with parents and carers from the start, finding out about children's likes, dislikes and needs to inform personalised learning plans.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive particularly strong support. Ofsted noted that children with SEND benefit from effective adaptations to help them learn the curriculum well. The range of therapists and psychologists on staff provide training for teachers and direct support for children and families, creating a wraparound service rare in mainstream early years provision. The Yellow Room provides quality daycare for children from age 1, including part-time places for vulnerable children not eligible for government funding, demonstrating the centre's commitment to inclusion regardless of funding constraints.

The Forest School programme is a distinctive feature of the curriculum, with all children accessing the onsite Forest School space based on the six principles established by the UK Forest School community in 2011. A dedicated Forest School teacher leads outdoor experiential learning, helping children learn about and explore nature within the school grounds. This complements the broader environmental education embedded through membership of the Global Climate Schools programme.

The curriculum recognises that young children learn best "when placed within familiar experiences with familiar adults," and the school provides guidance to support learning at home. For children with additional learning needs, approaches are individualised and developmentally tailored, ensuring every child can access and progress through the ambitious curriculum.

The centre is situated on the White City Estate, with facilities including the Yellow Room for 1- and 2-year-olds, dedicated spaces for 3- and 4-year-olds, and the onsite Forest School created within the school grounds. The carefully designed indoor learning environment is complemented by outdoor spaces that allow children to explore, take risks and connect with nature.

Extended day provision offers wraparound care from 8–9am and 3–6pm, supporting working families with flexible childcare. A holiday play scheme runs during all school holidays for children aged 3 to 7, extending support beyond term time and offering continuity of care for families transitioning to primary school.

The staffing structure includes Qualified Teachers, Early Years Educators, Childcare Assistants and Learning Support Assistants, alongside the highly qualified senior team, Child and Adult Psychotherapist and Art Therapist. This breadth of expertise creates a rich environment where children's cognitive, emotional, social and creative development are all prioritised.

Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre operates as a maintained nursery school under Hammersmith & Fulham local authority. Admissions information is available directly from the centre, and prospective families are invited to tour the setting. Separate tour sessions are offered for the Yellow Room (1- to 2-year-olds) and for older age groups.

The centre offers 120 full-time equivalent places for 3- and 4-year-olds and 28 full-time equivalent places for 2-year-olds. Children aged 3 and 4 are eligible for 15-hour funded nursery places, referred to as part-time places and offered as two and a half days per week. The Yellow Room provides daycare places from age 1, including provision for vulnerable children not eligible for government funding.

As a local authority maintained nursery, the centre serves the White City Estate and surrounding neighbourhoods in Hammersmith & Fulham. Families interested in applying should contact the centre directly via telephone on 020 8743 7339 or email at reception@randolphberesford.lbhf.sch.uk to discuss availability and the application process. The school website provides further information about admissions, SEND provision, Early Years Pupil Premium funding and extended day options.

Given the Outstanding Ofsted rating, specialist therapeutic provision and Forest School offering, places are likely to be sought after. Parents are advised to make early enquiries, particularly for the Yellow Room daycare places and for children with SEND who may benefit from the centre's exceptional support services.

Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre offers exceptional early education in an inclusive, therapeutic environment rare among mainstream state nurseries. The Outstanding Ofsted rating reflects highly effective teaching, ambitious curriculum and strong support for all children, including those with additional needs. The integration of psychotherapeutic and art therapy expertise into daily provision, alongside a dedicated Forest School programme, creates a rich learning environment where emotional wellbeing and academic development are understood as inseparable.

The federation with Vanessa Nursery School since 2016 has strengthened both settings, allowing resources to be directed towards staff expertise and children's learning rather than administrative costs. For families in White City and surrounding areas seeking high-quality early years education with genuine inclusion and exceptional SEND support, Randolph Beresford represents an outstanding choice.

Parents value the centre's commitment to vulnerable children, including those not eligible for government funding, and the flexible provision spanning ages 1 to 5. The extended day and holiday scheme offer practical support for working families, while the focus on individual relationships through the Key Person approach ensures every child is known and supported. If your child would benefit from a supportive atmosphere with access to specialist therapeutic support, environmental learning and Forest School experiences, Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre merits serious consideration.

Is Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre a good school?

Yes, Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre is rated Outstanding by Ofsted following its most recent inspection in February 2024. Inspectors found highly effective teaching, an ambitious curriculum for all children, and exceptional support for children with special educational needs and disabilities. The centre is distinctive nationally for having both a Child and Adult Psychotherapist and an Art Therapist on staff, providing integrated therapeutic support alongside high-quality early education. Parents and inspectors recognise the centre's strong inclusive ethos and the carefully designed learning environment that offers children endless possibilities to learn.

How do I apply to Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre?

Applications should be made directly to the centre. Contact Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre on 020 8743 7339 or email reception@randolphberesford.lbhf.sch.uk to discuss availability and the admissions process. The centre offers nursery tours for prospective families, with separate sessions available for the Yellow Room (for 1- to 2-year-olds) and for older children. The centre provides 120 full-time equivalent places for 3- and 4-year-olds (eligible for 15-hour funded places), 28 places for 2-year-olds, and daycare places from age 1. Parents are advised to make early enquiries, particularly for specialist provision or if your child has SEND.

What ages does Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre cater for?

Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre caters for children aged 1 to 5. The Yellow Room provides daycare for children from age 1, with dedicated provision for 2-year-olds (28 full-time equivalent places) and for 3- and 4-year-olds (120 full-time equivalent places). Children aged 3 and 4 are eligible for government-funded 15-hour nursery places, offered as part-time provision (two and a half days per week). Extended day provision from 8–9am and 3–6pm supports working families, and a holiday play scheme is available for children aged 3 to 7 during all school holidays.

What makes Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre special?

Randolph Beresford is one of very few early years settings nationally with integrated therapeutic support, employing a Child and Adult Psychotherapist and an Art Therapist alongside five qualified teachers. All children access the onsite Forest School led by a dedicated Forest School teacher, and the centre participates in Hammersmith & Fulham's Global Climate Schools programme. The curriculum is designed specifically around the needs of local children, and the centre provides inclusive provision for vulnerable children not eligible for government funding. Since federating with Vanessa Nursery School in 2016, the centre has strengthened its provision while maintaining its distinctive character.

Does Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre support children with special educational needs?

Yes, SEND support is a particular strength. Ofsted noted that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefit from effective adaptations to help them learn the curriculum well. The centre's team of therapists and psychologists provide training for teaching staff and direct support for children and families. Each child has a designated Key Person who advocates for them, and approaches for children with additional learning needs are individualised and developmentally tailored. The centre offers inclusive provision for children and families with SEND, and parents are encouraged to contact the school directly to discuss specific needs and available support.