Robin Hood Primary and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Play indoors, explore outdoors, and let children's interests shape the learning: that is the nursery's approach at Robin Hood Primary and Nursery School in Kingston Vale. The nursery belongs to the primary school on Bowness Crescent. Universal funded hours begin in the term following a child's third birthday, with morning provision and additional afternoon sessions.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good following its inspection on 26 and 27 June 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides the nursery curriculum. In practice, learning is organised through play, with planning responding to what interests children and what they need to develop. Indoor learning and outdoor exploration are both part of the daily provision. The nursery aims to build independence and encourage children to try challenges for themselves.

The outdoor area provides more than space to move. In June 2024, early years children searched for snails, then discussed their movement and body parts. Teachers used that experience to extend children's vocabulary and their understanding of the natural world. A small discovery became something to investigate and talk about.

Number learning was similarly practical: children matched resources with numbers, counted and joined in number rhymes. These activities helped them develop mathematical understanding through objects and language. There was a limitation, too. In June 2024, planned early years activities failed to engage children fully in a few instances, which could mean missing tasks and important learning. For parents, participation matters as much as the activity itself.

Children staying over lunchtime can have a packed lunch or a purchased school meal. That gives families a choice between food from home and a school dinner.

Online safety teaching starts in nursery. Families are encouraged to continue those conversations at home, connecting what children learn with their use of devices outside school. For families facing difficulties, the school's designated safeguarding lead team is a contact for early help. Parents with questions about special educational needs or disabilities can contact the SENCo through the school telephone number.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Kingston upon Thames Council handles the school's admissions; nursery applications go directly to the school office. Treat those as two separate steps when planning your child's next stage.

Session times. Two different timing patterns are given for nursery attendance. One has 30-hour pupils attending Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm, and 15-hour pupils attending Monday to Friday, 9am to noon. The other has funded mornings from 8:45am to 11:45am, with additional afternoons ending at 3:15pm. Confirm which arrangement applies before organising collection or work commitments.

Universal funding covers 15 hours from the term after children turn three. Additional afternoon attendance can be government funded or self-funded; eligibility for the additional 15 funded hours must be checked. Ask the school for current afternoon and school-meal charges.

To apply, collect a nursery application form from the office or download one, then return it to the office. Enquiries can also be made through the school's contact form or by calling 020 8546 7388. School tours with children can be booked, giving families an opportunity to discuss the nursery day in person.