Business Details
Trusted Childcare & Early Education in Ripe
Established to provide exceptional early years education, Ripe Nursery School operates across three dedicated settings: The Nest for infants aged 9 months to 2 years, Owlets for children aged 2 to 3 years, and Wise Owls for 3 to 5-year-olds. Our approach prioritises individualised care, fostering environments where children thrive through play, exploration, and meaningful engagement. We maintain a Key Person system to tailor activities to each child's interests and developmental needs, ensuring a seamless transition to formal schooling.Our team of highly qualified professionals, including Forest School leaders and specialists in special educational needs, are committed to nurturing confidence and independence. We actively collaborate with families to create a supportive continuum between home and nursery, believing that strong partnerships enhance every child's early learning journey. With a focus on outdoor learning and holistic development, we prepare children for future academic and personal success.
Services
The Nest
Owlets
Wise Owls
Forest School
Parent Partnership
Meals & Nutrition
Curriculum Planning
Special Educational Needs
Outdoor Learning
Transition Support
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of expertise in early years education.
- Our Forest School approach promotes outdoor learning in all weathers.
- Key Person system ensures personalised developmental planning.
- Staff hold advanced qualifications in paediatric first aid and SEN.
- Proven track record preparing children for successful school transitions.
Services
The Nest
The Nest provides nurturing care for infants aged 9 months to 2 years. Our qualified team creates a secure environment for early development, focusing on sensory play and foundational skills. We support smooth transitions from home to nursery through consistent routines and parent collaboration.
Owlets
Owlets caters to children aged 2 to 3 years with structured activities promoting social interaction and motor skills. Our curriculum includes creative play, outdoor exploration, and early literacy through engaging storytelling and music sessions tailored to this developmental stage.
Wise Owls
Wise Owls prepares 3 to 5-year-olds for school with a balanced approach combining academic readiness and emotional development. Qualified teachers implement Forest School principles daily, fostering independence through nature-based learning and structured transition programs to local primary schools.
Forest School
Our Forest School program delivers year-round outdoor education led by certified practitioners. Children engage in supervised nature exploration, risk assessment activities, and environmental awareness exercises that build resilience and problem-solving skills in natural settings.
Special Educational Needs
Special Educational Needs provision includes individualised support plans created by qualified SENCo staff. We implement tailored strategies for children with additional needs through small-group activities, sensory resources, and collaborative partnerships with specialist professionals and families.
People
Miss Charlotte
Nursery Manager
With over 20 years in early years education, Miss Charlotte holds a Level 4 Advanced Practitioner certificate and Forest School leadership qualification. She specialises in safeguarding and Makaton communication, leading outdoor learning initiatives across all settings.
Miss Katherine
Deputy Manager
A B'tec National Diploma holder with 20+ years at Ripe, Miss Katherine specialises in speech and language development for 3-5-year-olds. Her farm-based storytelling enhances imaginative play and vocabulary acquisition in Wise Owls classroom.
Miss Mel K
Deputy Manager
Norland College-trained with CACHE Level 3 qualification, Miss Mel specialises in infant care transitions. Her 18 years as a nanny inform her approach to creating secure attachments between babies and caregivers in The Nest setting.
Miss Grace
Preschool Teacher
Former primary school teacher with a Royal Holloway Geography degree, Miss Grace bridges nursery and school curricula. Her expertise in transition planning ensures children develop essential literacy and numeracy skills before formal education begins.
Miss Laura
SENCo
Qualified aerial instructor and Level 3 SEND specialist, Miss Laura integrates circus skills into inclusive play activities. Her Makaton training supports communication development for children with diverse needs across Owlets and Wise Owls settings.
Questions
What age ranges do your settings cover?
The Nest accepts children from 9 months to 2 years, Owlets serves 2 to 3-year-olds, and Wise Owls caters to children aged 3 to 5 years.
How do you support children's transition to school?
Our Wise Owls setting implements structured transition programs with local primary schools, focusing on literacy, numeracy, and social skills development through teacher-led activities.
Are staff qualified in special educational needs?
Yes, we have a dedicated SENCo with Level 3 SEND qualification and Makaton-trained staff who create individualised support plans for children with additional needs.
Do you offer outdoor learning opportunities?
Forest School sessions run daily with qualified leaders, providing year-round outdoor education that includes nature exploration, risk assessment activities, and environmental awareness exercises.
How can parents get involved?
We maintain a Key Person system for regular parent updates and encourage participation through home-corner activities, transition workshops, and seasonal events like our Nativity performance.
What are your term dates?
Our academic year includes six terms with half-term breaks, concluding in July. Specific dates for 2025-2026 are published on our website under the 'Term Times' section.
Reviews (1)
Louise E.
Jun 08, 2015
Report
I have been really impressed with Ripe Nursery School. My child totally loves it. All the staff are supportive and genuinely caring and often shape a wide range of learning activities around the children's interests. I've loved the day trips too, we've been on a few now - such a wonderful experience to share with my child. I highly recommend.
