Visit to Rolfe's Nursery School
Address: 34A Oxford Gardens, London, W10 5UG
Ages: 2.5-5
Website: http://www.rolfesnurseryschool.co.uk
Phone Number: 020 7727 8300
Rolfe's Nursery School is one of the nurseries in the esteemed Alpha Plus group – schools known for academic rigour and superb teachers (Wetherby, Pembridge Hall and Chepstow House are part of this group). Rolfe's has been running for nearly 20 years and moved to it's fabulous new site in 2012. Super-smart and extremely together head Victoria used to teach reception at Pembridge Hall, so is well aware of what the top pre-preps are looking for.
The school is based in a light, supremely organised and purpose-built space on Oxford Gardens - it is one of the most stylish nurseries I have ever stepped foot in (even the coffee cup and biscut plate was beautifully branded with the Rolfe's soldiers!). Everything has its place at Rolfe's and it makes for a very relaxing environment indeed - should Victoria ever tire of nursery school life, I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if her next career was as a very successful children's interior designer!
The nursery is one of the largest in Kensington and Chelsea and according to the nursery, the current cohort is about 65% British. Children are extremely lucky to have access to a beautiful and secure (one of the most secure I've seen) outdoor space, allowing them to move freely between inside and out during playtime - the children looked deliriously happy playing the wendy house and sandpit (probably thanks to the calming watermill).
The school offers morning, afternoon and full time places. The teaching is of very high-quality, children are encouraged to be independent learners and the nursery supports children learning English as an additional language very well. The extracurriculars are impressive: yoga, country dancing and art appreciation. This nursery supports children through transition periods better than many I've seen: home to nursery to prep school is seamless and happy and when children 'graduate' from Rolfes, their assessment folders are bound with ribbons and hand-delivered to their new school. Many of the children move on to the Alpha Plus preps – Chepstow House, Pembridge Hall and Wetherby.
If you're a Notting Hill resident, for goodness sake register as soon as you can.
