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About

Our Story

Hannah Hurley bought the nursery in 2013 shortly after her daughter left the setting. Hannah trained in early years when her son (now in his early 30's) was five and had always wanted to own a nursery, during her training she experienced Steiner, Montessori and other education methods, was so inspired by the Montessori method of child-led learning that she wanted to continue to develop it.  This has now developed into Rooftops training to achieve their accredication with The Curiosity Approch. At Rooftops she set out to create a safe, calm environment built on the past owners in which children can follow their instincts and explore at their own pace.

Building on this foundation, we are inspired by the Curiosity Approach creating thinkers and doers. Our nursery staff follow the interests of the child and work with them from play through to songs and stories.  

As the only private nursery in Richmond, which is a beautiful historic market town in North Yorkshire, we very much see ourselves as a key of the community for early years and this is conveyed through the personal approach and attentiveness of our staff.

Kid eating

Hayley Rogers – Manager of Operations
Hayley has an extensive career working in Early Years, primarily based within schools. As our Manager of Operations, Hayley’s passion for early education shines through in everything she does at Rooftops. She works closely with staff to ensure they are well supported and confident in their roles, and collaborates with our Early Years Lead to develop and implement a high-quality, engaging curriculum. Hayley’s dedication, leadership, and hands-on approach help maintain the warm, professional, and nurturing environment that Rooftops is known for.

Reanna Gamble – Manager of Admin and Training
Reanna holds a degree in Early Childhood Education, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, and Early Years Teacher Status, with more than 11 years of experience. Reanna loves all things admin and, alongside her passion for early years, has a flair for social media too! As well as managing administrative aspects behind the scenes, Reanna supports staff across all rooms with training and hands-on help wherever needed. Working alongside our management team, she plays a key role in ensuring the continuous development and success of Rooftops.

Sam Phillips – Deputy Manager
Sam has worked in Early Years for several years and holds a Level 5 qualification in childcare. Having previously managed settings, she brings valuable leadership experience to her role as Deputy Manager. Sam currently also leads our Nurture Nest (under 2’s) unit, where her caring and nurturing approach creates a calm and engaging environment for our youngest children. She is also training to become a Level 3 SENCO, further developing her expertise in supporting children with additional needs.

 

Find out more about the staff in the Nurture Nest, Wildflowers and Bloom Room!

As a setting we are inspired by the Curiosity Approach! 

The Curiosity Approach aims to create 'thinkers and doers' by putting the child at the centre of their own development and education.

We encourage our children to develop their curiosity by providing everyday items and allowing them to explore, imagine, create and learn. A key emphasis of this approach is on the nature and the outdoors, and we spend a lot of time in our garden and local park. We have seen this back-to-basics approach bring joy and happiness to the children as they follow their own ideas and schematic learning styles. 

It is an ethos which celebrates magical moments, stimulates passion and imagination, encourages learning and curiosity, and promotes awe and wonder.

At Rooftops, we are committed to providing children with healthy, nutritious, and delicious meals every day. All our meals are cooked fresh by The Turf, a local Richmond business, and delivered to us fresh on the day. Our fruit and vegetables are supplied by Carrick’s, the local grocers, ensuring the very best, seasonal produce. We love supporting local businesses in Richmond and believe in creating strong connections with our community.

Our menus follow EYFS guidelines for healthy eating, with a focus on sugar-free diets and minimal processed foods, so children receive balanced meals that fuel their growth and development. Children are encouraged to set the table, serve themselves, and even help with the washing up, fostering independence from a young age. Mealtimes are also a social experience, with all children sitting together, chatting, and enjoying time with their friends, helping to develop excellent social skills.

We encourage children to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and we also provide milk. Fizzy drinks and squashes are not allowed, and our staff lead by example, always keeping a water bottle to hand.

Please see a copy below to see of our menu.

Copy of Cream Minimalist Elegant Wedding Menu (A4 (Landscape))

Our approach to planning meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which is the statutory Government requirement for children’s education.  It is based on ongoing observations and assessments of your child in the three prime areas of learning: communication and language; physical development; and personal, social and emotional development. Plus, there are four specific areas of learning: literacy; mathematics; understanding the world; and expressive arts and design.

Rated Overall Standard – Good.  Ofsted Report April 2022

“Children are happy, settled, and safe in the nursery. They build warm, close relationships with staff. Where children are new and need support to settle, staff are on hand to provide cuddles and reassurance. This helps to develop children's confidence and self-esteem. Children engage in a wide variety of interesting and exciting activities.”

Read our latest report at https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY456044