The Quiet Garden has a variety of plants and shrubs to encourage sensory development.  This area also provides a haven for the less confident child to sit and observe play in other parts of the garden.  The children have a digging area and are encouraged to look after the plants and vegetables they grow.  A tarmac area is used throughout the year for wheeled toys, bats, balls, hoops, jumping and balancing apparatus.  The Nursery also has its own lending library. Music and French have been included as part of the curriculum.

Maria Grey Nursery School was established in 1957 in the grounds of the Maria Grey Teacher Training College in Isleworth (now Brunel University).

It was established as an independent Nursery School in Field House in September 1987.  In 1991 the School was registered as a charity and incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. The Nursery has also recently been registered as a daycare provider, thereby providing parents the option of allowing their children to stay at the nursery for full days.

Maria Grey Nursery School is part of the Local Authority's Early Years Partnership, and children who meet the age criteria specified by the Authority are eligible to recieve grant funding in part-payment of fees.  The Nursery, which recently received an excellent OFSTED report, is adjacent to the Vineyard Primary School.

Maria Grey Nursery School is managed by a Parents Committee whose input is crucial and has created a unique partnership within the School.

Committee members are elected annually, and together with the Headteacher meet on a regular basis to discuss the development of diverse projects within the School to ensure its smooth running.

Building and garden maintenance, social events, fund raising, publicity, lease negotiations and local authority liaison are some of the areas covered by the Committee.

Activities which the Committee organises throughout the year include a variety of fund-raising events, a Summer barbecue and a Christmas social.

All parents are welcome to be part of the Committee and to contribute towards making a difference in their child’s education.

All permanent salaried staff are appointed by the Management Committee.

The School employs professionally qualified teachers and nursery nurses who have been thoroughly trained in all aspects of child education, care and development.  All staff regularly undertake continuing professional development courses, which keep them abreast of new practices, philosophy and legislation, thus ensuring the best educational provision for your child.

The teaching staff all have first aid qualifications.

The School is used as a placement school for trainee teachers and for students from local tertiary and sixth form colleges.

Helen Lansdell, Head teacher. BA (Hons), Post Graduate Certificate in Education

Pam Franks, Deputy Head. BA (Hons) in Early Years Care and Education, currently undertaking Early Years Professional Status

Claire Trew, Senior Nursery Nurse. Foundation degree in Early Years Care and Education, currently undertaking BA (Hons) Degree in Early Years Education

Sabine Stuart-Lyon, Senior Nursery Nurse. Foundation degree in Early Years Care and Education, currently undertaking BA (Hons) Degree in Early Years Education