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Nursery at Ripley Court 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Swimming and woodland studies give Ripley Court’s youngest children reasons to get moving. This is nursery provision within an independent school in Ripley, Surrey, with children joining in the term of their third birthday. The nursery department serves children aged three to four; at the June 2024 inspection, it comprised one Nursery class.
A part-time start is possible, with a minimum of three sessions out of ten each week. That gives families a way to begin with shorter attendance before building towards full time as their child gains confidence.
Physical activity has a concrete place in the early years programme. Swimming lessons begin in Nursery and continue weekly with specialist teaching, using the school’s heated indoor pool. Woodland studies, movement to music and playground activities add different ways to practise coordination. In June 2024, ISI found that early years activities developed both larger movements and the finer control needed for pencils and scissors.
The early years foundation stage combines learning to communicate, early reading and mathematical thinking with physical and social development. In June 2024, the early years curriculum was balanced and adjusted to children’s needs. Staff knew children’s interests and individual needs, helping them shape learning around the child rather than treating the group as identical.
Letters and their sounds build the foundations for reading. Questions encourage children to extend what they say and listen to one another, while activities involving repeating patterns give mathematical ideas something practical to attach to. Stories also introduce fairness and honesty. Nursery children practise waiting for a turn and managing impulses, so learning includes the everyday skills needed to play alongside others.
Before joining, registered nursery applicants and their parents are invited to an hour-long Stay-and-Play session. It gives children an introduction with a parent alongside them and gives staff an opportunity to understand their needs. During June 2024, clear early years routines helped children settle comfortably; encouragement to explain their feelings supported communication and self-awareness.
From Nursery onwards, staff help children recognise emotions and manage them during the day. The June 2024 findings also confirmed appropriate staffing ratios in early years and regular training for the safeguarding team, including early years staff. These are practical foundations for supervision and responding to concerns.
The school’s Special Educational Needs and Wellbeing Co-ordinator works with families and teaching staff. Support also involves a specialist SpLD teacher and assistant, with individual and small-group work. Meals are included within school fees, making food part of the fee structure rather than an assumed separate arrangement.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families need to apply separately for Reception through the school’s admissions process, using the Main School Registration Form rather than the nursery form. Completed applications go to the Admissions Team at rcadmissions@ripleycourt.co.uk. Applications are accepted throughout the year where space permits. Treat the Reception application as a separate decision alongside choosing the nursery.
Ten sessions make up the week: five mornings and five afternoons. Attendance can increase at the beginning of a term, subject to availability. The universal funded entitlement for three- and four-year-olds is 15 hours weekly during term time, beginning in the term after the third birthday. Ripley Court allocates funded hours to weekday afternoons. The entitlement runs for six terms, ending in the term of the child’s fifth birthday.
To claim that funding, parents must sign and return the Declaration Form to rcfees@ripleycourt.co.uk. Ripley Plus is a voluntary charge supporting the extended curriculum and access to wider school facilities. Contact the school for current charges.
Personal tours can be arranged through the enquiry form or rcadmissions@ripleycourt.co.uk. For uniform preparation, the on-site Uniform Shop is in the Parent Car Park, while Court Seconds sells second-hand items from the main building. Both provide a practical route to obtaining branded uniform.
Children join in the term of their third birthday. The nursery department serves children aged three to four.
Yes. Minimum attendance is three of the ten weekly sessions. Sessions can increase at the start of a term, subject to availability.
Yes. Swimming starts in Nursery, with weekly specialist lessons and a heated indoor pool at the school.
The universal entitlement provides 15 hours a week during term time for three- and four-year-olds, starting in the term after their third birthday. Funded hours at Ripley Court are in weekday afternoons. Parents must complete the funding Declaration Form; Ripley Plus is voluntary.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the school’s admissions process using the Main School Registration Form. Contact rcadmissions@ripleycourt.co.uk to begin that process.
