Ryders Hayes School Nursery Review

Songs, stories and conversation give Ryders Hayes’ early years provision its character. Nursery sessions for three- and four-year-olds sit alongside Young Ryders, which extends childcare beyond the nursery session. For younger children, a specially designed Pre-School area serves two- and three-year-olds. These are distinct parts of the school’s early years offer, with different childcare arrangements.

At the Ofsted inspection on 14 and 15 February 2023, early years provision was judged Outstanding. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery. Children’s enthusiasm for talking, learning and cooperating was a clear strength.

A nursery morning runs from 8:45am to 11:45am; the afternoon runs from 12:45pm to 3:45pm. Young Ryders can be combined with nursery to make an all-day childcare arrangement. The distinction matters: a nursery session and the additional care around it are separate elements of the day.

Learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which brings care and development together with early learning. Children practise expressing themselves, listening to others, moving with control and managing feelings. Alongside those foundations come number work, early reading and writing, discovering how the world works, and creative activities. Role-play, dance, music and art give children different ways to explore ideas and express themselves.

The approach emphasises exploration, perseverance and developing children’s own ideas. Independent play gives them opportunities to try things, encounter difficulties and think of another solution. Books, poems and other reading materials support an interest in words. In February 2023, songs, storytelling, rhyme and rhythm were central to daily learning, with extra teaching support provided when needed.

For the younger Pre-School group, Forest School takes place weekly in all weather. That gives outdoor activity a regular place in the week, rather than making it dependent on a dry day.

Settling arrangements for Pre-School begin after a place has been accepted and allocated. Staff visit the family at home, and Play and Stay sessions let children explore their new surroundings before starting. The school intends these steps to help children feel secure, especially when separation from their parent is a new experience.

Across the school, an inclusion team works with teachers and teaching assistants to support children and families. Personal Learning Plans are reviewed at termly meetings for children receiving SEN support. Adjustments to classroom provision and work with outside specialists provide ways to respond to individual needs. Physical access includes ramps and accessible toilets.

Innovate Catering, part of Impact Food Group, provides the school’s meal service. Meal alternatives cater for allergies, intolerances and religious dietary requirements. Pre-School has additional lunch and tea services, so families using longer care arrangements have meal periods within that provision. Communication with parents includes the Arbor app, while the school office provides a direct contact point for enquiries.

Attending nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery admissions are handled by the school, while Walsall Local Authority manages Reception admissions. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal local authority route by the normal deadline. Choosing the nursery therefore means choosing the early years experience; the later school application remains a separate step.

Nursery offers morning or afternoon sessions, with access to 30-hour provision through its combination with Young Ryders. For two- and three-year-olds, Pre-School offers funded and non-funded places, including Time To Start. Its morning and afternoon sessions run Monday to Friday during term time; breakfast, lunch, tea and full-day services carry additional charges. Contact the school for current charges.

Separate early years care starts at 7:30am and continues after school until 5:45pm. These before- and after-school provisions are booked using the Arbor Parent App, at least two days ahead. This advance booking requirement matters for families whose working hours change at short notice.

Nursery uniform includes a sky-blue polo, grey bottoms or a pinafore, black footwear and a maroon jumper or cardigan bearing the school logo. A blue gingham dress is a summer option. For enquiries, email postbox@ryders-hayes.co.uk or telephone 01922 683008. The office is staffed from 8:30am to 4:30pm, with an answerphone outside those hours.