Ruspini House Nursery

At Ruspini House, our educators are teachers, guides, co-regulators, and trusted companions throughout each child’s journey. Our private nursery combines the best of Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Forest School to create an approach that’s both child-led and purposefully designed. We believe it’s not just what children learn but how they learn. Here, through play that’s rich with meaning and discovery, they develop the building blocks of lifelong learning: curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. 

With over 300 acres of private parkland, there’s always something new to explore at Ruspini House. Here, your child can climb, discover, and imagine — whether it’s navigating trim trails, uncovering hidden gardens, enjoying stories in glamping pods, or learning in a woodland classroom. 

Your child can also observe our beehives, take part in hands-on activities, and discover the richness of local biodiversity. Our outdoor areas nurture curiosity, confidence, and a love for nature in your child. 

We provide the 15-hour government free entitlement for children aged three and four. To get an estimate of your child’s termly fees at our independent nursery, you can use our fee calculator. Our team is also happy to speak with you directly and provide more detailed guidance. 

Little Ferns is our fortnightly toddler group at our private nursery, perfect for children from 16 months and their parent or carer. It’s a great way for your child to build confidence while you experience what our nursery in Rickmansworth is really like. 

Set in our woodland classroom and expressive arts spaces, Little Ferns offers a calm, creative environment where your little ones can begin to stretch, move, and make sense of the world through: 

• Sensory-rich activities inspired movement, nature, and expression 

• Open-ended play guided by Reggio Emilia principles 

• Opportunities to build social and emotional connections with peers and trusted adults 

• Gentle routines that reflect the rhythms of our nursery day 

At our private nursery, your child’s journey is shaped to nurture confidence, develop key skills, and inspire a love of learning from the very beginning. 

BLUEBELLS CLASS – AGES 2 TO 3 

Bluebells is where the adventure begins for many of our children. Research shows, and our experience confirms, that starting at two helps children build a foundation in communication and language, as well as in personal, social, emotional, and physical development. 

There’s no pressure to pass anything to join — this is a warm, welcoming environment where children can settle in comfortably. Even at this early stage, they’ll learn from specialist teachers and in purpose-built spaces with age-appropriate routines. We spend this time building listening skills, language, and confidence through play, stories, and songs. It’s all about giving them the best possible start.  

BLOSSOMS CLASS – AGES 3 TO 4 

In Blossoms, we introduce our daily phonics programme, offer specialist teaching in subjects like music, movement, and languages, and build early literacy and mathematical thinking through play. 

Even with all this, we’re careful to protect time for child-led learning. Because we know that this is when children are most engaged and curious. Our skilled educators tune into what interests them, using well-timed questions and prompts to help them go deeper and think more independently. 

It’s all about balance: great teaching alongside plenty of time to explore and be curious. That’s what helps children grow into confident, motivated learners, ready for whatever comes next. 

Children may join from their second birthday onwards.

Our early years setup caters for children across the following entry points:

• Pre-School: Welcomes both girls and boys from their second birthday.
• Nursery: The nursery year follows the pre-school class. Children start in September.

For further details about Ruspini House or to arrange a visit, please visit our Ruspini House Page or contact our Admissions Team at 01923725316  / admissions@rmsforgirls.com.

Yes, we offer universal government funding for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds at Ruspini House.

All children become eligible for 15 universal funded hours per week starting from the term after their third birthday.

Here is how the government funding is applied at RMS:

• Applied to Mornings: Funded hours are allocated directly to morning sessions (3 hours per morning, from 8:30am to 11:30am, Monday to Friday during term time).

For full details on eligibility, session structures, and updated termly rates, please visit our Fees Page or contact our Admissions Team at 01923725316  / admissions@rmsforgirls.com.

We offer flexible booking patterns to suit your family’s routine, with full-day options and extended wraparound care available every day.

To ensure children settle well and fully benefit from our curriculum, we ask families to commit to the following minimum attendance:

• Pre-School (2–3 years): Minimum of 5 sessions per week (e.g. 5 mornings, or a combination of 3 mornings and 2 afternoons).
• Nursery (3–4 years): Minimum of 8 sessions per week (e.g. 5 mornings and 3 afternoons, or 4 full days).

Please note: Afternoon sessions must follow a morning session on the same day; we do not offer standalone afternoon sessions.

Standard Session Times

• Morning Session: 8:30am – 12:45pm (includes a hot two-course lunch)
• Afternoon Session: 12:45pm – 3:45pm
• Full Day: 8:30am – 3:45pm

Wraparound Care

For working families needing extended care, we offer optional early and late clubs:

• Breakfast Club: 8:00am – 8:30am
• Tea Club: 3:45pm – 5:00pm (includes a healthy snack)
• Late Club: 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Sessions can be booked on a termly basis or as ad-hoc extra sessions when needed.

For a full breakdown of current termly fees and to calculate your costs based on your preferred booking pattern, please visit our Fees page or contact our Admissions Team at 01923 725354 / admissions@rmsforgirls.com.

Yes! Girls at Ruspini House enjoy a seamless transition into Reception at Cadogan House, where they are guaranteed a place.

Because Ruspini House is an integral part of the wider RMS family, our Early Years pupils grow up familiar with the Cadogan House staff, facilities, and campus. This makes moving up to Reception a natural, exciting next step rather than a daunting change—and eliminates the need for any formal entrance assessments or selection processes.

(Please note: Boys who join Ruspini House at Pre-School depart at the end of their Pre-School or Nursery year, as Cadogan House and the Senior School are all-girls.)

To find out more about the step up from Ruspini House to Cadogan House, please visit our Prep School page or get in touch with our Admissions Team at 01923725316  / admissions@rmsforgirls.com.

At Ruspini House, our educational philosophy centers on purposeful, child-led learning through play.  

We believe the early years shape everything that follows; this is why, at Ruspini House, we treat children with the care, depth, and intention they deserve. Our educators are more than teachers; they’re guides, co-regulators, and  trusted companions on each child’s journey. 

Through strong, nurturing relationships, we help children feel safe, seen,  and ready to explore who they are and what they can become.

We weave together the very best elements of leading early childhood methodologies to create a nurturing, inspiring environment where curiosity thrives:

• Montessori: Encouraging independence, self-directed activity, and hands-on learning with carefully prepared, accessible resources.
• Reggio Emilia: Viewing the environment as the “third teacher,” fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative discovery guided by the children’s own interests.
• Forest School: Embracing outdoor exploration across our 300-acre parkland campus to build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for nature.

By blending these approaches within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, we ensure every child develops a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy while discovering the joy of learning.

Our bespoke RMS Ambitions map out the journey from preschool through Reception, not as a checklist, but as

aspirational, whole-child goals. They are underpinned by the values we hold dear: kindness, perseverance, ambition, integrity, courage, and inclusivity.

To find out more about life at Ruspini House, please visit our Nursery & Pre-School page or get in touch with our Admissions Team at 01923725316 / admissions@rmsforgirls.com.

We would love to welcome you and your child to experience Ruspini House in person!

Private tours and individual appointments are available daily during term time. A visit is the best way to see our wonderful facilities, get a feel for our unique environment, and meet our Nursery staff and Head of Ruspini House. 

To schedule your visit or make an initial enquiry:

• Online: Submit your details via our online Admissions Enquiry Form.
• Direct Telephone: Call the dedicated Ruspini House team on 01923 725316.
• Email: Contact us directly at ruspinihouse@rmsforgirls.com.