Broomfield House School Nursery Review

Underwater volcanoes and lemonade give a flavour of the learning here: children’s interests become starting points for exploration. At the ISI inspection of 2 to 4 December 2025, Broomfield House School had two Nursery classes within its early years provision in Kew. That wider early years section covered ages two to five; this is a nursery within an independent school.

The ISI inspection of 2 to 4 December 2025 found that early years children progressed rapidly from their individual starting points. Activities were adjusted as children’s needs changed during the day. For parents, the useful distinction is the combination of planned learning and a willingness to respond to the child.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning takes practical forms here. Conversation and phonics give children repeated opportunities to build early literacy, while counting and investigating shapes develop confidence with numbers. These are small, concrete steps towards understanding language and mathematics rather than abstract exercises.

Children’s curiosity also shapes the activities. Investigating underwater volcanoes gives them something to ask questions about; making lemonade connects exploration with a practical task. Staff adapt what children are doing as their needs emerge, so the learning can respond to their understanding during the session.

Social learning runs alongside these activities. Children work together on puzzles and imaginative play, with adults demonstrating how to talk and cooperate. Taking turns before a creative activity gives them practice in recognising that other children have needs too. Friendship is something they learn through shared tasks.

Stories, assemblies and contributions from parents introduce different customs and beliefs. Christmas and Diwali provide concrete examples for exploring how celebrations differ and what they share. Children also encounter public services through visits involving parents, linking the idea of helping others to people and roles they can recognise.

Adults help children recognise emotions and manage their responses, modelling relationships through their own interactions. That makes learning to cooperate part of everyday care, alongside the puzzles, play and turn-taking activities.

Communication with families includes updates about children’s achievements and what they will work on next. Early years leaders also explain how parents can support development at home. This gives families a practical connection between what their child is learning in the setting and the conversations or activities they can continue together.

At the December 2025 inspection, early years children had appropriate supervision while eating and access to adults with paediatric first-aid training. Children are also encouraged to tell adults when something worries them. Those are concrete safeguards for an age group still learning to explain feelings and ask for help.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application; choosing the nursery should not be treated as securing the next stage. Keep that admissions decision separate from the nursery’s day-to-day learning and care.

Broomfield House School is on Broomfield Road, Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 3HS. The school office can be contacted on 020 8940 3884 or at office@broomfieldhouse.com. These provide a direct route for families making an initial nursery enquiry.