Red House School Nursery Review

An enclosed garden, specialist music teaching and a purpose-built nursery give Red House’s youngest children a distinct corner of school life. The nursery belongs to the independent school’s early years provision at The Old Vicarage, on The Green in Norton. Children can join from their third birthday, with full-time or part-time attendance available.

This is a teacher-led nursery with a named key person for each child. Its combination of play, early reading and writing, and outdoor exploration gives families a school-shaped day while retaining time for children to pursue their own interests.

Learning starts at 8.45am and nursery finishes at 3.15pm. Morning activities are interrupted by a play break; lunch and outdoor exploration separate the morning and afternoon learning blocks. A further afternoon break gives children another pause before home time. That rhythm makes space for both focused activity and movement.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers learning to communicate, move confidently and manage relationships, alongside early literacy, number work, creative expression and understanding the world. Red House calls its nursery approach academic play: children explore through practical activities while teachers introduce challenges suited to their age. Adults lead some activities; children choose others. Specialist teachers take music and PE, and French is introduced in early years.

The nursery has its own enclosed garden. In September 2023, ISI observed early years children learning in a woodland environment, exploring their interests and practising listening and sharing. In September 2023, ISI found that early years children progressed well, with outdoor experiences encouraging imagination and activities prompting independent thought. Role play and construction involved explaining ideas aloud, so building and pretending also became opportunities to develop language. Alongside these positive early years findings, ISI recommended that teaching across all subjects and year groups build consistently on previous learning.

An early years teacher leads the nursery, assisted by staff qualified at Level 3 or above. Each child is allocated a key person who keeps in touch with their family, giving parents a clear link for discussing their child. Before starting, staff discuss development and individual requirements; they can also contact a child’s existing nursery to support the move.

Communication continues through the Parent Portal, which carries progress information, letters and school news. Early years assessment identifies the next stages of learning and shares them with parents. In September 2023, children had positive relationships with adults who understood their emotional needs and helped them practise sharing and taking turns.

The Zen Den provides space for reflection, while Wellbeing Wednesday brings a named focus to wellbeing activities. Breathing exercises and meditation are part of the early years approach. Lunch supervisors oversee eating, and snacks are provided during the day. Breakfast Club offers options including cereal, fruit, toast and pancakes, useful for children starting early.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. For Reception admission, use the school’s admissions process and treat the place as a separate decision from choosing nursery. Red House accepts early years entrants without an entrance assessment, but offers remain conditional on availability and the school’s admission requirements.

Familiarity has a different role: children already know the surroundings, adults and friends as they move towards Reception. That can support adjustment to the next classroom. It should not be confused with an admissions entitlement.

Full-time and part-time places allow families to choose an attendance pattern. Doors open at 8.30am. Breakfast Club starts at 7.30am and needs no advance booking; after-school care can be arranged that day through the class teacher. Term-time wraparound provision extends to 6pm. Holiday Club also accepts nursery pupils who attend Red House and operates outside the Christmas break.

Parents can put the 15-hour Early Years Funding Grant towards fees. The school claims it for families from the term after the third birthday, for six terms until the fifth birthday. The September 2025 to August 2026 fee schedule included books, stationery and writing materials within tuition charges, but treated lunches as compulsory extras, including milk and morning and afternoon snacks for EYFS children. Ask the school for current charges.

For enquiries or an individual tour, contact admissions@redhouseschool.co.uk or 01642 558119. A tour request form provides another direct route to arranging a visit.