Introduction      
      
Enable your child to develop individually in a happy and caring environment through a process of discovery learning.
Our Approach to learning follows Froebel's child centred philosophy encouraging children to develop individually in a happy, friendly and caring environment fostering natural curiosity and creativity.

Maria Grey offers your child a unique educational experience through its extensive resources and comprehensive outdoor facilities which enrich all areas of the early years curriculum.

The garden has a wooden playhouse, three different sized climbing frames, a sandpit and a wild garden accessed by a stile which creates an ideal area for imaginative play.
 

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.
Background  

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.

The OFSTED report is available in full from the Nursery, Richmond Reference Library and on the OFSTED website: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk.
The School Committee    

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.

Staff    

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.  The permanent staff team consists of two full time teachers, one full time nursery nurse, one part time nursery nurse and four part time nursery assistants.  All staff regularly undertake further training 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 students from local tertiary and sixth form colleges.

Staffing ratios at the Nursery conform to the OFSTED requirements of 1:4 for under 3s and 1:8 for over 3s.
Staff Team & Qualifications    

Helen Lansdell, Head Teacher (full time)
BA (Hons), Post Graduate Certificate in Education

Rosemary Hesketh, Teacher (full time)
Certificate in Education, 3-7 year olds

Claire Trew, Nursery Nurse (full time)
NVQ Level 3, Early Years Care and Education

Pam Franks, Nursery Nurse (part time)
NVQ Level 3, Early Years Care and Education

Sabine Stuart-Lyon, Nursery Assistant (part time)

  

Carolyn Moncur, Nursery Assistant & Wrap Around Care (part time)

Lorraine Bellerby, Nursery Assistant (part time)

Pam Banks, Nursery Assistant Wrap Around Care (part time)

Sue Richards, School Administrator (part time)

Sarah Ashley Bach, Treasurer and Company Secretary (part time)