Ryde School with Upper Chine Nursery Review

Clay modelling, home-corner play and regular rambles give Ryde’s nursery day its character: children have things to make, ideas to explain and opportunities to move. The nursery serves children aged two to four within the school’s prep section. In September 2025, it comprised two nursery classes.

The ISI inspection of 23 to 25 September 2025 found that early-years leadership was effective, with caring adults supporting children’s emotional development and confident speech. That gives families a useful picture of the provision: conversation and relationships matter alongside practical activity.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning takes practical form here. Adults build activities around children’s interests and needs, helping them develop skills across the learning areas. In clay work, children discuss shapes and sizes; the home corner gives them opportunities to use language through pretend play. These are concrete ways to practise expressing an idea rather than simply answering a question.

Building towers and playing card games bring another kind of learning: sharing an activity and taking turns to speak. Daily circle time gives children space to contribute ideas, listen to other children and talk through feelings. Communication runs through the day.

Movement extends beyond indoor activity. Outdoor play and regular rambles sit alongside dance and PE lessons, giving children different ways to develop physical skills. The mix matters for a young child who learns through moving as well as talking and making.

Emotional support has a daily routine. Circle time helps children put feelings into words and manage their responses, while adults guide cooperative play and conversation. Where speech and language support is needed, early-years specialists work with families, connecting help for the child with involvement at home.

Parents receive an annual written account of progress towards the early learning goals. Early-years staff have paediatric first aid training, and staffing levels supported effective supervision in September 2025, including during rest. Safer eating arrangements were also in place. These details matter across the quieter parts of a session as well as active play.

Across the school, the September 2025 inspection found that some written risk assessments lacked sufficient detail. It recommended applying the risk assessment policy more consistently across all areas of provision. Families can ask how this is being addressed in nursery.

Morning nursery sessions include lunch. Early Birds includes breakfast, so the choice of session also shapes the child’s meals and start to the day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Contact the admissions team about Reception entry arrangements before making plans for the next stage.

Entry to Ryde is conditional on a place being available and the child meeting its admission requirements. The admissions team is the contact for joining the school; familiar surroundings should never be treated as a confirmed offer.

For 2026/27, morning sessions run from 09:00 to 12:30 and afternoons from 12:30 to 15:30. Wraparound options are Early Birds from 08:00 to 09:00, Stay and Play from 15:30 to 17:00, and Supper Club from 17:00 to 18:00. These give families options on either side of the nursery sessions.

Funding limits. Ryde offers the universal 15-hour entitlement for three- and four-year-olds in nursery. Eligible children can use up to 15 hours in three-hour blocks within morning or afternoon sessions. The school does not offer the 30-hour entitlement or funded childcare for two-year-olds. This affects how much of a family’s chosen pattern funding can cover; contact the school for current session and wraparound charges.

Private tours can be booked during term. For enquiries, email admissions@rydeschool.net or call 01983 617970.