Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Ronald Tree Nursery School: Nurturing Young Minds in Kettering
Established in 1934, we are the oldest maintained nursery school in Northamptonshire and the only one of our kind in Kettering. Our dedicated team of qualified professionals has spent nearly a century nurturing young minds, following the founding ethos of supporting early childhood education. We offer funded nursery places for two, three, and four-year-olds through North Northamptonshire Local Education Authority, with flexible session options and extended care services.Our curriculum prioritises holistic development, aligning with statutory requirements while maintaining a strong focus on individualised learning and parental engagement. With generations of local families passing through our doors, we continue to uphold our commitment to accessible, high-quality early years education.
Services
Funded nursery places
Childcare services
Early years curriculum
Parental support programs
Special educational needs provision
Details
- Year established: 1934
Highlights and features
- We are the only maintained nursery school in Kettering with 90 years' heritage
- Our staff maintain enhanced DBS clearance and regular professional development
- We offer flexible session combinations to suit working parents' schedules
- Our curriculum follows statutory requirements with individualised learning approaches
- We provide transparent pricing with costs strictly covering operational expenses
What people say
Experienced teachers
Flexible hours
Caring environment
Good communication
Well-structured curriculum
Services
Funded nursery places
We provide 15-hour and 30-hour funded childcare entitlements for eligible families through North Northamptonshire Local Education Authority. Our sessions accommodate two, three, and four-year-olds with morning, afternoon, and full-day options. Parents pay only for additional hours beyond their allocated funding.
Early years curriculum
Our curriculum follows statutory requirements while prioritising individualised learning journeys for each child. We focus on key developmental areas including communication, physical development, and personal, social, and emotional growth through play-based activities tailored to different age groups.
Special educational needs provision
We offer targeted support for children with special educational needs through dedicated practitioners and tailored development plans. Our team works closely with families and external specialists to ensure appropriate accommodations and progress monitoring for every child.
Parental support programs
We maintain regular communication with families through key workers and provide guidance on child development. Our services include progress tracking, home activity suggestions, and access to additional resources through our partnership with local children's centres.
Extended childcare services
We offer breakfast, lunch, and after-school clubs to complement funded sessions. Additional hours are available at a transparent rate of 5.50 per hour, with flexible scheduling options to accommodate working parents' requirements while maintaining educational continuity.
People
Deb Thwaites
Head Teacher
Leading the nursery school with over 20 years' experience in early years education. Committed to maintaining high standards of childcare and development through qualified staff and structured learning programs.
Karen Fox
School Business Manager
Managing financial and operational aspects of the nursery with expertise in educational administration. Ensures efficient resource allocation while maintaining compliance with statutory requirements.
Carolyn Carter
Special Education Needs Practitioner
Providing targeted support for children with additional needs, working closely with families and external specialists to implement individualised development plans and inclusive learning strategies.
Jackie Wilson
Teacher
Delivering high-quality early years education with focus on child-led learning. Specialises in creating engaging environments that foster natural curiosity and developmental milestones.
Mel Perkins
Early Years Practitioner
Supporting children's development through play-based activities and maintaining strong communication with families. Holds enhanced DBS clearance and regular safeguarding training.
Questions
How do I register my child for a place?
Complete our online registration form available on the school website to apply for nursery places.
What funding options are available?
We offer 15-hour and 30-hour government-funded childcare entitlements for eligible families with children aged 2-4.
What are your operating hours?
We operate from 8:00am to 4:30pm daily with flexible session combinations available to suit different needs.
Do you accept children with special needs?
Yes, we provide targeted support for children with special educational needs through dedicated practitioners and tailored development plans.
How are staff qualifications maintained?
All staff hold enhanced DBS clearance and receive regular professional development training to maintain high standards.
What happens if my circumstances change?
We require four weeks' notice for any changes to attendance hours or withdrawal from nursery to ensure smooth transitions.
