The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at The Ridge Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Weekly Forest School, stories and a mix of independent play and adult-guided activities give The Ridge Pre-School its character. This is the school's own nursery provision, with entry from the term following a child's third birthday. Spacious classrooms and an outdoor play area give children room to explore, move and investigate.
September, January and April intakes are offered where spaces permit. Families can visit at an open evening each term to see the setting and its activities before applying.
Play shapes the learning here. Children choose and explore activities, while adults also lead planned learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework, with Development Matters used to plan around each child's interests and development. Its seven learning areas combine foundations for learning with more specific knowledge and skills, rather than making the day solely about early academic work.
Language gets deliberate attention. A planned activity each day develops listening, speaking and awareness of sounds; conversations, rhymes and shared stories continue through the day, with adults extending children's vocabulary. Dear Zoo and The Very Hungry Caterpillar feature in the Pre-School reading sequence. These give families specific stories to revisit together at home.
Outside, children have a play area for movement and exploring nature, alongside weekly Forest School sessions. Wellies and puddle suits are part of the practical preparation. Outdoor exploration therefore has a regular place in the week, alongside classroom learning.
The October 2023 inspection identified songs and rhymes as part of early language development, and clear routines and expectations beginning in the early years. Those findings give a dated picture of how language and everyday behaviour were supported.
Settling begins with a home visit, allowing families to meet staff and discuss concerns before an induction. Children then attend an hour-long introductory session independently. Shorter sessions can be used initially if needed, so the settling process has room to respond to a child's readiness for separation.
Dojo updates arrive weekly, combining news of activities with suggestions for learning at home. Consultations take place in autumn and spring, followed by a summer progress report with next steps. Parents have several ways to discuss both learning and how their child is settling.
Full-day attendance requires a packed lunch, free of nuts and sesame to protect children with allergies. The morning snack includes fruit with milk or water, and drinking water remains accessible throughout the day. Families therefore need to prepare lunch as part of the daily routine.
Staff continuity. In October 2023, staffing instability had affected Kindergarten children's sense of security, and provision for pupils with SEND. Parents also raised concerns about inconsistent SEND leadership. The school was asked to reduce further disruption, rebuild parental confidence and ensure every pupil's needs were fully met. This is a material consideration for families whose child needs predictable adults and coordinated support. The school's SEND contact route provides access to its SENCO, alongside its SEND Information Report and Dudley's Local Offer.
Attending The Ridge Pre-School does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Dudley's School Admissions Service handles Reception admissions and is the contact for the school's admission arrangements.
Choosing the nursery should therefore rest on the nursery experience itself. Treat the later school application as a separate decision and process.
The options include fully funded 30-hour places and 15-hour attendance split across two and a half days. One pattern uses Monday and Tuesday, 9am to 3pm, followed by Wednesday, 8.30am to 11.30am. The alternative starts on Wednesday, 12.30pm to 3pm, with Thursday and Friday, 9am to 3pm. Nursery wraparound runs daily from 8.30am to 4pm.
Applications use the Pre-School form, returned to the office or emailed to info@ridge.dudley.sch.uk; families can also collect a form from the office. For current charges, contact the school.
Children can join from the term after their third birthday. Intakes take place in September, January and April, subject to space.
There are fully funded 30-hour places and 15-hour patterns over two and a half days. Daily nursery wraparound is offered from 8.30am to 4pm.
A home visit precedes an hour-long induction session that children attend independently. Shorter initial sessions can be arranged where needed.
Yes, for a full day. Lunch must be free of nuts and sesame. Fruit and milk or water are provided for the morning snack.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process, administered by Dudley's School Admissions Service.
