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Top of the Class Nursery and Pre-School

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2023)
·
4.0(25 Google reviews) ·Top of the Class Nursery, 332 Upper Richmond Road West, LONDON, SW14 7JR · Richmond upon Thames
Number of places
85 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2023
Local authority
Richmond upon Thames

About this early years setting

Top of the Class Nursery and Pre-School, registered with Ofsted in 2010, is situated in London SW14 7JR. Housed in a large converted property, the nursery operates across three levels, with a dedicated two-storey building for 2-3 year olds.

The main building features five playrooms, a sensory room, an ICT suite, a separate sleep room for infants, and child-friendly toilets and changing facilities on each floor. The nursery also boasts a spacious outdoor area equipped with diverse equipment suitable for all age groups, including a large covered sandpit and a sensory garden.

Registered with Ofsted, the nursery maintained a "GOOD" rating following its inspection in July 2023. Top of the Class Nursery places a strong emphasis on providing a high level of service, with all fees covering nappies, wipes, meals, and extra-curricular activities such as monthly woodland sessions and various entertainment throughout the year.

The nursery aims to create an excellent educational environment through its team of enthusiastic and qualified staff. They foster continuous communication between parents, carers, and staff to align on developmental goals and support each child's learning journey, recognising their individuality.

The nursery provides opportunities for children to express themselves, encouraging happiness and confidence through indoor and outdoor play. They strive to offer a stimulating and secure environment that adapts to each child's evolving needs, taking into account various learning styles and abilities.

Our ethos

The nursery aims to create an excellent educational environment by fostering continuous communication between parents, carers, and staff to align on developmental goals and support each child's individual learning journey. They strive to offer a stimulating and secure environment that adapts to each child's evolving needs, taking into account various learning styles and abilities, and provides children opportunities to express themselves, encouraging happiness and confidence through indoor and outdoor play.

What it's like

Children are happy and settle quickly because they have established warm and trusting relationships with staff, helping them feel safe and self-assured. They respond well to high expectations for learning and behaviour, developing important skills like sharing and turn-taking, with older children showing maturity in communication with adults.

Ofsted "GOOD" ratingInclusive fees (nappies, wipes, meals, activities)Spacious outdoor areaSensory room and ICT suite

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Opening hours

8am to 6pm for 51 weeks in the year

Age range

0-4 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Registered with Ofsted

2010

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Top of the Class Nursery and Pre-School

Last inspected 12 July 2023 · Marisol Hernandez-Garn

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are happy and settle quickly because they have established warm and trusting relationships with staff, helping them feel safe and self-assured. They respond well to high expectations for learning and behaviour, developing important skills like sharing and turn-taking, with older children showing maturity in communication with adults.

Inspector highlights

  • The manager and deputy manager maintain the good quality of education and offer additional support to children and families, particularly those who are disadvantaged.
  • Staff enjoy working at the nursery and benefit from support and training opportunities, leading to improved curriculum delivery and rapid progress for all children, including those with SEND.
  • Staff are very good at working with parents and other professionals, sharing accurate observations and assessments of children's learning.
  • Staff teach children to use equipment safely outdoors and promote understanding of safety, contributing to children's good health.
  • Children enjoy home-cooked, healthy meals and are learning practical skills like serving themselves.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen the organisation of group activities to fully engage all children, particularly those who are quiet and less confident, in order to give them better learning experiences
  • 2follow a more consistent approach to promoting children's self-care and independence skills.
Inspection #10284477 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive additional support to help meet their needs. They benefit greatly from hearing correct pronunciations of words and speech sounds, which help to develop their language skills.

Outdoor space

In the garden, children have opportunities to practise their strength, dexterity, balance and coordination. Staff teach children how to use equipment safely, such as when climbing down the hill or using ride-on toys in the garden.

Google Reviews of Top of the Class Nursery and Pre-School

4.0
(25 Google reviews)
Tanya
2 months ago

Very happy with the TOTC nursery, which our daughter had attended since she was 2. The low staff turnover meant she was cared for by dedicated and warm staff whom she remembers fondly to date. As a fussy eater she got the attention she needed to ensure she didn't go hungry. She transitioned very easily to school - a sign of how well they were prepped at TOTC.

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Claire Miles
2 months ago

We love this little nursery for our toddler. The staff are lovely and the space is very homely. He has grown up so nicely and loves playing there.

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Ender Telyak
8 months ago

We couldn’t be more grateful to Top of the Class Nursery for giving our daughter such a wonderful start. The school has a fantastic, spacious garden, excellent food, and most importantly, a truly exceptional team. It feels like a safe, caring family environment where parents can place their complete trust. As two working parents, we deeply appreciated their understanding and support, even with the little things or events we sometimes overlooked in the rush of daily life. Thanks to their warmth and dedication, what we feared most in our first year in the UK, the challenge of our young child adapting to a new country and language, was made smooth and joyful. Our heartfelt thanks go especially to Tracy and the entire team for everything they have done.

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Ioanna F
7 months ago

Such a big disappointment this place has been. My daughter spent there 2 years and is now thankfully in a much better setting where she’s given the care and attention she deserves. A month after we moved her she started being more communicative, bubblier and was happy to go to nursery in the morning, what I now understand were signs of the low quality childcare she was receiving at the top of the class.

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Kate T
a year ago

Both of our children have gone to Top of the Class. We were initially attracted to its home-like atmosphere, the outdoor space, and, most importantly, the caregivers' diligent care and attention. The staff are very knowledgeable and gave good guidance about development; the transition to school was seamless for our eldest. The youngest has just started on her journey there and already reaches out for her key person when we drop off in the morning - a great feeling for her parents!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Top of the Class Nursery and Pre-School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: August 2010

  • July 2023Good
  • December 2017Good
  • January 2014Good
  • January 2013Inadequate
  • August 2010Good

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