The Rowans School Kindergarten Review

Board games indoors and an outdoor barbers’ shop give The Rowans Kindergarten a distinctive combination of group play and child-led invention. This is the nursery provision within an independent school for girls and boys in Wimbledon, with entry at age three. It forms part of the school’s early years department.

The setting occupies a former family house with its own gardens close to Wimbledon Common. That gives the nursery a school setting with outdoor space as part of its character. In March 2025, ISI found that early years children were enthusiastic about learning inside and outside, supported by positive relationships with staff.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning and children’s wider development. Here, that means conversation, early letter sounds, physical activity and learning how to play alongside others. In March 2025, staff used assessments to follow children’s progress and plan additional help. Kindergarten children made good progress from their individual starting points.

Play has a clear role. Children joined board games with a group and started their own pretend play in the outdoor barbers’ shop. Adults developed children’s vocabulary through conversation, while a planned introduction to letter sounds supported early literacy. These are concrete ways to build language through both adult guidance and children’s interests.

Movement also belongs to the early years day. At the March 2025 inspection, early years children had daily opportunities to exercise, including specialist PE, action rhymes and outdoor play with wheeled vehicles. The latter helps children practise coordination. The school’s playground includes a sandpit, a wooden trim trail, slides and swings, giving its outdoor environment several different physical features.

Alongside EYFS, the school uses a Growth Mindset approach: children are encouraged to attempt challenges, respond to feedback and treat mistakes as part of learning. The emphasis is on effort and trying again.

Predictable routines support the social side of nursery life. In March 2025, early years children were comfortable joining activities together, with clear expectations helping them understand how to behave. Staff used stories to explore kindness and collaboration, turning abstract values into situations children could discuss.

Support includes working with families. Early years staff helped parents support children at home where there were specific needs or English was an additional language. Targeted help from learning support staff contributed to rapid progress for children learning English. The staff structure includes a Kindergarten teacher who also leads early years, plus a SENCO / Learning Enrichment teacher. Safeguarding responsibilities explicitly include EYFS children.

Kindergarten attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Treat Reception as a separate admissions process: families need to follow the school’s registration and selection route rather than assume that nursery attendance secures entry.

Reception entry is selective. An Observed Play Session and a report from the child’s nursery or current school inform the decision. These sessions begin approximately 18 months before entry. Families planning to continue should keep that timetable in mind alongside their choice of nursery sessions.

The booking options distinguish Kindergarten mornings, afternoons charged by session, and full days, with fees organised by term. Morning sessions end at 12.30pm; afternoon Kindergarten finishes at 3.15pm. Children go to classrooms at 8.30am, followed by registration at 8.45am.

For a longer day, Orchard Childcare runs care on the school site from 3.15pm to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. Activities use the Hall or a classroom and include playground time. Booking is through the provider’s website.

Uniform comes from Alleycatz. For nursery enquiries, contact registrar@rowans.org.uk; visits can be arranged through the Registrar or school office. Refer to the school for current charges.