READY STEADY GO
South Hampstead
21 Alexandra Road, London NW8 0DP
Opened in 2010, RSG South Hampstead is located in a bright, open-plan converted former church on Alexandra Road, minutes' walk from South Hampstead station.
The centre has separate spaces for younger and older children, allowing each age group to follow the same approach in an environment suited to its stage of development. Children have room to play, create and investigate indoors, while the centre’s outdoors provides opportunities to explore and learn in the air.
Alexandra Road was rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted following its inspection on 17 October 2024.
Centre Details
Ages
Pre-school for children aged two to five, with the option to stay for a Reception year.
Your Child's Day
Children aged two generally begin with mornings from 9am to 12pm and move to full days from 9am to 2pm when they are ready. Children aged three and over attend from 9am to 2pm.
Early Birds & Clubs
Early Birds drop-off is available from 8.15am.
After-school clubs run from 2pm to 3pm.
Days & Terms
Monday to Friday during term time.
Playweeks are available during most holiday times.
The local area
South Hampstead is a quiet, well-connected north-west London neighbourhood; residential and neighbourly.
Conveniently located on Alexandra Road, just a few minutes’ walk from South Hampstead Overground station via Loudoun Road. Swiss Cottage Underground station is also around an eight-minute walk away, with several nearby bus stops providing connections across North and Central London.
Alexandra Road Park, with playgrounds, grass and a woodland walk, is nearby, while older RSG children use Hampstead Heath for Forest School and outdoor learning.
"Staff provide a safe and welcoming space where children thrive."
South Hampstead • Ofsted Oct 2024
"Their attentive and nurturing support helps children to settle and develop strong bonds"
South Hampstead • Ofsted Oct 2024
"Children enjoy being helpful and show real kindness, care and respect for others."
South Hampstead • Ofsted Oct 2024
"Staff have a wonderful ability to engage with children, capture their interest and ignite their love of learning."
South Hampstead • Ofsted Oct 2024
"Children consistently demonstrate an incredible enthusiasm for learning."
South Hampstead • Ofsted Oct 2024
"Leaders have fantastic oversight of the provision."
South Hampstead • Ofsted Oct 2024
'Teaching is inspirational throughout the provision. Staff have a wonderful ability to engage with children, capture their interest and ignite their love of learning.'
South Hampstead • Ofsted Oct 2024
'Exceptionally broad and ambitious curriculum, ensures that all children make excellent progress.'
South Hampstead • Ofsted Oct 2024
"Teaching is inspirational throughout the provision."
South Hampstead • Ofsted Oct 2024
Life at Ready Steady Go
Ready Steady Go is one school, sharing the same ethos, curriculum and educational oversight across our centres. Our approach centres on holistic development, understanding that true learning happens when children feel secure, valued, and genuinely excited about discovery.
Your child's day
A day at Alexandra Road balances planned teaching with child-initiated play. The team prepares activities around the children’s interests and the seven areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage, while leaving time and space for children to pursue their own ideas.
Children take part in small-group learning, stories, songs, creative work, cooking, movement and practical investigations. Phonics begins through songs, stories, rhymes and listening activities, building the foundations for later reading. Reception-age children move on to more formal phonics and early reading as part of their preparation for school.
Dance and movement are a regular part of the RSG curriculum. At Alexandra Road, these sessions take place within the centre, giving children opportunities to develop coordination, spatial awareness and confidence through movement.
Children also spend time outdoors and make regular use of the local area. These experiences broaden their understanding of their community and give them opportunities to observe, question and explore beyond the classroom.
Older children also take part in Forest School sessions at Hampstead Heath, where they can explore the natural world, take appropriate risks and learn through direct experience.
Ready... Steady... Go!
Families interested in Ready Steady Go are welcome to arrange a visit and see our curriculum in action.
Our admissions team is happy to guide you through the process, answer questions and help you find the right Ready Steady Go centre for your child.
Telephone: 020 7586 5862
Email: admissions@readysteadygo.org
The South Hampstead team
The centre is led by Isolde, who has more than 15 years’ experience in early years education, including many years with Ready Steady Go. She holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).
Her deputies are Emma and Sophie, who have more than 30 years’ experience in early years education between them, most of it with Ready Steady Go. Emma holds a CACHE Level 3 qualification, and Sophie holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Emily has been with Ready Steady Go for more than five years and leads the morning group at our Alexandra Road centre. She holds a BA in Early Childhood and Youth Studies.
