Ruislip Gardens Primary School Nursery Review

Stories children invent and act out, paint they can choose themselves, and loose objects that become play materials give Ruislip Gardens’ nursery its character. Language and children’s own ideas shape the learning. This is the school’s nursery provision, with entry from the term following a child’s third birthday.

The wider early years provision received a Good judgement at Ofsted’s inspection on 22 and 23 October 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Nursery children were getting a positive start through staff support, while early years children practised concentrating on conversation, learning and play.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum puts communication and social development first: learning to express an idea, cooperate and understand feelings. Children have extended time for play, alongside activities adults lead. Class teaching is followed by work in smaller groups, giving staff opportunities to check understanding and respond to difficulties. Termly themes provide a starting point, with room for children’s interests to change the direction.

Poetry Basket uses interactive poems, while Helicopter Stories lets children dictate their own tales and perform them with classmates. A lending library sends picture books home for families to share. Nursery phonics uses phase one activities to practise listening and speaking; early number work develops the ability to recognise small quantities by sight, before counting them. These are foundations children can use in later learning.

Indoors, block play and adaptable role-play areas sit alongside a workshop children can choose to use and a paint station they can access themselves. Loose parts encourage children to decide what an object might become. Outdoors, the EYFS uses the school grounds for learning about the surrounding world. The grounds also have an access point beside the fields to Ickenham Marshes, adding another physical setting to the school’s outdoor provision.

Sharing and consideration for other children are part of early years practice. In October 2024, children listened attentively and behaved well, with staff helping them develop these habits. The emphasis is on learning how to participate with others, as well as on individual activities.

Families can contact the Inclusion Team directly about additional needs. The Grove includes a separate pre-school Assessment Centre for children with SEND, with referrals made by SEND professionals rather than parents. Its specialist referral process should be distinguished from applying to the mainstream nursery.

For children attending all day, hot lunches are charged and paid for beforehand through ParentPay; ask the school for current charges. Meals are cooked on site, with vegetarian, meat and jacket-potato choices. Packed lunches should include fruit and a savoury item, and families are asked to avoid nut-containing foods. The school cannot guarantee a nut-free setting, an essential consideration for children with allergies. Medical conditions and allergies must be reported to the school; prescribed medication requires an office permission form. Monthly newsletters keep families informed about school activities and learning.

A nursery place does not guarantee admission to the main school. Families must make a separate Reception application through Hillingdon, or their own borough if they live elsewhere. For September 2026 entry, the application deadline was 15 January 2026; that cycle’s deadline has passed. Keep the nursery decision and the Reception application as separate steps.

Morning sessions run from 8.30am until 11.30am; afternoons start at noon and finish at 3pm. The full-day option runs from 8.30am to 3pm. Families can choose 15-hour morning or afternoon provision, alongside the full-time 30-hour option, with eligibility checked for the latter. Nursery applications go directly to the school, with intakes in January, April and September.

Gate 2 is the nursery’s collection and drop-off point. Children are released to authorised contacts, and nursery collectors must be over 16. EYFS uniform includes a logo jumper or cardigan, a white polo shirt and black shoes with Velcro fastenings. Wellington boots and spare waterproof clothing form part of the outdoor kit. Tuesday morning visits can be arranged through the office on 01895 632 895.