Nursery and Reception
At Orleans House Gallery, we believe creativity starts early. Our Early Years offer invites nurseries, reception classes and practitioners to explore art through play, imagination and sensory discovery in a gallery setting.
Our sessions, self-guided visits and resources link to our exhibitions and natural surroundings. Children can experiment, explore and express themselves, building confidence and curiosity along the way. We create a welcoming and inclusive space where every child can take part and feel supported. All sessions link to the Early Years Foundation Stage. They support communication, language, physical skills, social development, and creative learning.
We are now taking bookings for the 2026–27 academic year.
Workshops and visits for Early Years groups :
- Introduce your students to an art gallery in a fun and playful artist-led session. Students will explore Orleans House Gallery with our artist, discovering the art around them. They will use our object boxes to make personal connections and to imagine and ask questions. Finally, the students will have the opportunity to create their own drawing.
- Suitable for all early years groups (Nursery / Reception)
- Available all year round
- How can mark making develop your skills as an artist?
- In this workshop, students will work with an artist to explore mark making using a range of materials. Taking inspiration from our exhibitions and collections, students will create their own drawing.
- Suitable for Reception
- Available October 2026 – July 2027
- Visit Orleans House Gallery with your class for a self-guided visit and explore Ronald Moody: Sculpting Life. This exhibition celebrates the Jamaican born sculptor’s innovative practice.
- Students will use our creative resources and trails to look closely at the artworks. They will sketch, share ideas, and ask questions, developing their creative and critical thinking skills in the gallery
- Suitable for Reception, Primary and Secondary schools
- Available October 2026 – July 2027
- A self-led visit with creative and discussion-based activities to help children explore Orleans House Gallery inside and outside
- Students will engage all their senses to experience the different spaces.
- Activities encourage them to think about how artworks make them feel or what they mean.
- Suitable for Reception and Key Stage One
Capacity
- All workshops are designed for classes of up to 30 students. The fee includes a visit to Orleans House Gallery, an artist-led workshop, and all materials.
- There is no charge for accompanying adults. For printmaking sessions, we ask for at least three adults to support the group.
- Each school can book one year group per academic year.
FAQ
Choose your session
- Explore our range of sessions and choose one that best suits your class and curriculum focus.
- Sessions link to our exhibitions, artists, and spaces. They change throughout the year.
Check availability
- Complete the booking form to request a session
- We recommend booking early, as sessions are popular and fill quickly.
- Please tell us any needs, including SEND requirements or access needs.
Confirm your visit
- Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive full details to help you prepare. This will include timings, what to expect, and practical information for your visit.
- Availability: Artist-led workshops take place on a Tuesday and Wednesday. Self-guided visits take place on Thursdays.
ees and Charges
Self-guided visits
- Self-guided visits are free. They offer a flexible way for schools to explore the gallery at their own pace.
- Booking is essential to help us manage capacity and support your group. Once confirmed you will receive full details to to help you prepare. This will include timings, what to expect, and practical inform
Artist-led workshops
- £85 – Richmond borough state school
- £100 – Out-of-borough state school
- £150 – Independent schools
Reduced rates are available for special schools and alternative education providers. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Richmond Arts Service subsidises our school programme. This support allows us to offer lower prices to local schools. We aim to keep our programme accessible and welcome conversations about cost.
Self-guided visits allow you to explore the gallery and exhibitions at your own pace using artist-designed trails. Artist-led workshops are structured sessions led by a professional artist. They include gallery activities and making.
Sessions are led by experienced artists. Students explore the gallery, talk about artworks, and create their own work using different materials.
Yes. You can book both to extend your visit and explore more.
Yes. Sessions support the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum for Art and Design. Some activities also link to history, geography, and literacy.
Artist-led workshops last:
- 2 hours for primary and secondary groups
- 90 minutes for Nursery and Reception
Self-guided visits are flexible. Most activities take 1 to 1.5 hours. You can shorten or extend them to suit your group.
Yes. All visits must be booked in advance. This ensures a safe and well-managed visit.
Yes. We can adapt sessions and resources for different needs, including SEND groups. Please tell us any requirements in the booking form.