Riverside Nursery Schools Prospectus

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Riverside Nursery Schools Child centred; Education led

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Riverside Nursery Schools

Child centred; Education led

Welcome. When choosing a nursery for your child, there can be a lot to consider. At the very least, you hope to find a place where your child can be happy.

At Riverside Nursery Schools, we think you deserve to expect more.

We believe that when your child walks through the threshold of one of our nurseries, you should know they are in a place where they will receive the highest levels of care, attention and support.

More than that, we think you should know their time is being spent within a carefully crafted, naturally calm environment where they are laying the embryonic foundations for their future education through problemsolving and play.

Riverside Nursery Schools

Riverside Nursery Schools

What we draw out. How we discover.

Every child is blessed with a nature all their own, but as they grow, their character is nurtured in part through their experience of the world around them.

The Montessori ethos at the heart of Riverside Nursery Schools ensures that all children in our care are exposed to a carefully considered atmosphere defined by positivity and kindness.

Through our deep understanding of Early Years development, we acknowledge and encourage their sense of self, while also helping them to develop their awareness – of themselves, of others and of their place in the world.

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Riverside Nursery Schools

This is education.

At Riverside, we believe children thrive best in care-led nursery settings that are guided by educational principles. While driven by the Early Years curriculum, our approach is rooted in Montessori thinking and also draws inspiration from other pedagogies which place the child’s experience at the centre of things. It means our children are provided with a wealth of practical learning opportunities within a supportive, controlled environment, all with the aim of helping develop their sense of exploration and independence.

They are able to learn valuable lessons through all of their experiences, helping them develop into true problem solvers and critical thinkers.

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Riverside Nursery Schools

This is play.

The child-centred, experiential learning at the heart of the Riverside approach fits seamlessly with a child’s natural desire to play.

While they are focused on enjoying games, solving puzzles and tackling new tasks, their minds and bodies are unconsciously engaged in sensory exploration and mental stimulation.

All the time, they are developing their cognitive and motor skills as well as their hand-eye co-ordination – the fundamental building blocks for the formal education they will embrace when the time comes.

Our family of five nurseries in South West London are all situated within reach of the river in the Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

St Margarets Montessori Twickenham Green Montessori

Grosvenor House Nursery

Kew Montessori

Twickenham Park Nursery

Our settings are tailored around a central Riverside philosophy, where play and discovery are the key ingredients in a learning experience filled with purpose and joy.

Our home. Their space.

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Riverside Nursery Schools

Daily life at a Riverside nursery is defined by a sense of calm and focus. Although our children are encouraged to be independent, they are cognizant of the rules and boundaries that guide their behaviour, and they welcome the structure afforded to them through enjoyable activities and challenges.

The atmosphere that is created by this active learning approach is complemented by the interior of our nursery spaces, which have been designed to provide children with a secure environment that is both comfortable and comforting, positive and purposeful.

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Riverside Nursery Schools

To offer a nursery education that is truly child-centred, you have to be able to see the world through a child’s eyes. At Riverside, we know our pupils as individuals, but we also have a deep understanding of the concepts they can be expected to grasp at such a tender age.

Our culture of sharing.

We know, for example, that the complexities involved in the notion of sharing make it more sensible to talk of taking turns. And while our teaching is grounded in verbal and written skills, we also know the importance of allowing young children to communicate and express themselves through other media and the value in allowing them to flex their creative instincts.

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Riverside Nursery Schools

River school. Outside learning.

For an education group whose name is inspired by our proximity to the Thames, it is perhaps not surprising that we have an affinity for the natural landscapes that surround us.

We take every opportunity to introduce children to the outdoor settings that are close by, whether that’s through trips to the river itself or excursions to the historic parks and green spaces we are so lucky to have on our doorstep.

These moments, led by our trained staff, provide invaluable opportunities for our children to fully engage with – and appreciate – the wonders of our natural world around them.

Riverside Nursery Schools

Community.

When we welcome a child into a Riverside nursery, they are far more than a number.

To us, this point marks the beginning of our relationship with an individual and their family as they become part of the Riverside community.

Our role is to ensure every child feels a sense of connection to the teaching staff they will interact with on a daily basis, and that they feel a sense of belonging within a nursery environment that should be like a home from home.

Daily structure.

The Riverside Nursery Schools bespoke curriculum supports your child’s development through a focus on 7 key areas.

Each day in our nurturing community is structured to accommodate these areas of teaching and learning:

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3 CHARACTER & RESILIENCE Through play and structured learning, your child will develop the personal characteristics that will accompany them into adult life, from perseverance and decision-making to selfdiscipline and self-awareness.

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COMMUNICATION & CONFIDENCE

NUMBER THEORY & LOGIC

We foster a language-rich environment where children can explore their thoughts and ideas, enjoy dialogue with those around them, and embrace opportunities to listen and learn.

From simple number songs to classroom activities using Montessori materials, we familiarise children with the fundamental elements of a mathematical education they will value for life.

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Our physical development syllabus ensures children’s motor skills mature while they learn the value of a healthy lifestyle through cooking activities, outdoor nature lessons and sport.

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IMAGINATION & EMPATHY

SELF EXPRESSION & THE ARTS

We believe in fostering imaginations and helping develop empathy for others, using creative play and reading skills to fuel the exploration of characters and the power of stories.

Children learn about artists and their styles while developing their own creative skills using a variety of materials. Daily music activities provide an opportunity to express themselves through dance and song.

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OBSERVING & EXPLORING

HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND

We encourage the natural curiosity of children, expanding their knowledge through an introduction to topics including Science, Geography, Botany and Zoology.

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Riverside Nursery Schools

Settling in.

At Riverside, we know what a big step it is to start your little one at nursery, and settling in is just as much for parents as it is for children!

There is no magic formula for settling a child in to nursery so our headteachers work closely with each family to create a bespoke settling in schedule.

This will be based on a number of factors taking into consideration the full picture such as the age of your child, life changes they are experiencing (such as a house move or new sibling arrival), and also previous experience with nursery if any.

Please do feel free to discuss this with the headteacher at your viewing and they will happily go through it in more detail.

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Riverside Nursery Schools

Our teachers. Training Academy.

We have high ideals of what a nursery education can be, and we have a teaching framework to deliver on this promise for the children in our care. We not only guarantee that our staff-to-pupil ratio will provide a high level of support for each individual, we also ensure that this support is provided by trained and motivated professionals. From our teachers to our support staff, our people are the foundations for our success.

The talents they bring to our schools are held in high regard, and we are committed to a sustained investment in their ongoing skills development.

Riverside Nursery Schools Riverside Nursery Schools

Riverside Nursery Schools

So, what are the next steps?

If you are interested in finding out more about Riverside or about any of our nursery settings, we would love to hear from you.

To book a site visit or to apply to join one of our nursery schools, please contact our Admissions Team on

If you have a more general query or would simply like the chance to talk with our team, then please drop an email to

020 3475 0455 or email admissions@ riversidenurseryschools.com.

hello@riversidenurseryschools.com and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.

We look forward to welcoming you to Riverside soon.

Dukes Club The Dukes Club connects families across all the Dukes Education nurseries, schools and colleges.

It is a space to learn, network, take advantage of exciting opportunities and amazing rewards, and make new friends.

Find out more at dukeseducation.com/dukes-club

“Little Dukes is a family of nurseries and nursery schools in the UK. Our settings are distinctive in identity and style, yet united in offering outstanding early years teaching and learning, providing the strongest foundations for children in their journey to school.”