Public Consultation to reinstate the Nursery provision to full time.

School: The Ridgeway Primary School (Church Ward)

Local authority: Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge St, Reading RG1 2LU

Proposal

The Governing Body of The Ridgeway Primary School intends to reinstate 26 afternoon (PM) places for 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds with effect from Thursday 3^rd September 2026. This builds on the 26 morning (AM) places already offered, enabling the school to support 30-hour provision, term time for working families.

 Description of alteration

To maximise the use of the existing nursery classroom space, staff, and resources during the afternoon session. 

 Evidence of demand

•  Expansion of Working entitlements: growing demand for places for children 9 months to 2 years and increased uptake of Working entitlements for 3 and 4 year olds overall in Reading
• Working entitlements for 3- and 4-year-olds: take up 7% below Reading average in Church ward.
• School demand: Waiting list for 30 hour places Sept 2026 (13 children)
• Dwelling commitments: The main focus of completions, new construction, and new permissions is the town centre, with South Reading acting as a secondary focus. Residential Commitments Summary 2024-25
• Deprivation: The most deprived areas of Reading are located around the wards of Church and Whitley (Norcot, Southcote and Abbey). Reading-JSNA-Final.pdf
• Vacancies: 37% EY Group providers are advertising current vacancies in South Reading.

 Effect on other provisions within the area

 Our intention is to enhance the Nursery offer at The Ridgeway to parents choosing us for the primary education of their children. We do not believe this will impact other nursery providers in the area as parents will choose us due to their proximity to our school and this includes families in Wokingham. Having an additional nursery offer gives parents greater choice and flexibility to families. 

 Objectives

Our objectives are to provide all day nursery arrangements for working families, enabling access to extended childcare hours that support employment, training, and financial stability. We believe that this will strengthen children’s transition to reception by delivering a high‑quality curriculum and teaching that builds strong foundations for all children. Our aim is to provide free, accessible places that promote equity and remove financial barriers for all families. Having the extended nursery hours will support continuity of education and care through to school where this is parental preference and allocated through the admissions process.

  Project Costs 

There are no additional costs to the school in relation to the changes as staffing and facilities are already in place.

 Implementation plan

We intend to implement this to start in September 2026 and will communicate with existing parents who have morning only places as well as market our new offer to working parents who are choosing The Ridgeway Primary school.

 Response procedure

Within four weeks from the date of publication of this proposal, any person may object to, support or make comments on the proposal by completing the following online form:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/D6Lv3wFfKy

If you would like a printed copy of the form please contact the Office Manager details below.

 If you have any questions relating to this proposal, please contact Rachel Wiggins the Office Manager at the Ridgeway Primary School either by phone (0118 937 5530) or email (officemanager@theridgeway.reading.sch.uk).

 Responses will be shared with:

• The Ridgeway Primary Leadership Team
• Reading Borough Council teams for decision

Publication Date: Tuesday 14^th April 2026

Closing Date for Response: Tuesday 12^th May 2026