Ladybird Nursery
Ladybird Nursery is a small (around 20 places) term-time only Nursery setting, based in our Early Years area of the school. The Nursery provides preschool education for two, three and four year olds, for either 15 or 30 hours. The Nursery is open from 9am-3pm each day; no wraparound care is currently available at the school before or after the school day.
All three and four year old children are eligible for 15 hours of Funded Early Education (FEE) from the term after they turn three. Some will be eligible for an additional 15 hours (FEE+). Click here for more information about FEE funding. If parents whose children are eligible for 15 hours funding wish to 'top up' to 30 hours, then we may have the capacity to accommodate this.
For children who are two, we have a small number of spaces reserved for those for Funded Early Education for Two year olds (FEET). Click here for more information about FEET funding. If there are any spaces remaining then we may be able to accommodate privately funded two year olds.
There are three attendance possibilities at the Nursery:
- Ladybird A: All day on Monday and Tuesday, plus Wednesday morning until 12pm (15 hours)
- Ladybird B: Wednesday afternoon from 12pm, plus all day on Thursday and Friday (15 hours)
- Ladybird C: These children attend for both the A and B sessions (30 hours)
We do not currently offer any other timetable arrangements (i.e. mornings or afternoons only).
Provision in the Ladybird Nursery
Our team of qualified and experienced staff are committed to providing a happy, safe and stimulating environment for two to four year olds. Children have access to a wide range of resources which motivates them to explore, investigate and learn through first-hand experience. We actively encourage positive self-esteem, and teach children to value themselves and others. We place a strong emphasis on play as we believe this is the best way for young children to learn, especially when developing the prime areas (Personal, Social and Emotional development, Communication and Language, and Physical development). We have very well resourced indoor and outdoor areas, which children are supported in accessing throughout the day. Children can also access other areas of the school environment such as the hall, trim-trail and playground, MUGA and 'Wonder Woodland'.
Applying and visiting
We welcome applications for the Nursery at any time, and operate closing dates so that we have a deadline for applications for the following term. We arrange our own admissions for Nursery, which means applications need to come directly to us and forms can be downloaded from our website (you will find these below). This is a different process to the admissions for the main school, which is operated by the Surrey CC Admissions team. It is important to note that we do not operate on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis; all applications are looked at on the closing date and ranked according to the admissions criteria. If you are not successful in gaining a place, you will be asked if you would like your child to remain on the waiting list. If a place becomes available mid term, we may allocate it to the next child on the waiting list.
To find out more about the Nursery, we will hold Open Mornings in advance of the closing date for applications. We do not currently hold individual tours as this would be difficult for us to manage in a busy primary school. You can also visit our Social Media sites (Facebook: The Royal Kent School, Oxshott and Twitter: @RoyalKentSchool) to see what life is like from day to day at RKS and some of the things that we get up to!
Our next Open Morning will be held on in the autumn term 2024 and we will add the date to this page when it is set. Please email ladybirdadmissions@royal-kent.surrey.sch.uk if you have any queries in the meantime.
Our intakes and deadlines
Our main intake into Ladybird Nursery is in September, as this is when many of our current children will move onto Reception and so when we are likely to have the most places available. If we do not fill all the places in September then we can take in additional children in January, and possibly even April. If your child is not able to start in the autumn term then you can have a place on our waiting list to start at the beginning of a future term, or if a place becomes vacant in the meantime.
Our application closing date for a Summer term (April) 2024 start has now passed (22nd January 2024). If you are interested in being added to the waiting list for the rest of the academic year, please contact ladybirdadmissions@royal-kent.surrey.sch.uk.
Our application closing date for an Autumn term (September) 2024 term start is 18th March 2024. You can find the application form below.
Settling in and starting
Once you have been offered a place and you have a start date then we will then set up a ‘stay and play’ visit to the nursery for you and your child. This is a session for both you and your child to come and visit us during a normal day. It is an opportunity for your child to have time to play in the Nursery and get used to the setting - it is also a time for you to share information about your child with the teaching team, and ask any other questions you may have. All children and families are unique and your own individual needs are taken into account throughout the settling in process. There may also be an opportunity for an additional session for your child to attend without you present (so you will ‘drop and go’).
Please note that there is no automatic admission into the Reception class of The Royal Kent School for children attending the Nursery. Parents will need to reapply for a place in Reception when their child reaches statutory school age.
Further information
Further information on the Nursery, including fees and the admissions criteria, can be found in the documents below. Please do read these carefully and if after doing this you have a question which has not been answered, please contact us at ladybirdadmissions@royal-kent.surrey.sch.uk or by calling the School Office.
If you wish to apply for a place at our Ladybird Nursery, please return your completed application form to ladybirdadmissions@royal-kent.surrey.sch.uk in advance of the closing date.
Additional documents
For children starting Nursery in or after September 2024
Application form 24-25 - editable version (word)
Application form 24-25 - pdf version