Friends Together

An afternoon of preschool learning inside a primary school gives Friends Together its character. Based at St. Dominic RC School in Harpenden, it complements the school's morning nursery with play, stories and outdoor activities, while its clubs extend care around the school day. The distinction matters: this is an afternoon preschool and wraparound arrangement, rather than a separate morning-to-evening nursery programme.

At its January 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated Friends Together Outstanding, finding that staff extended children's learning skilfully through play and that safeguarding was effective. The useful detail beneath that judgement is how adults responded to children's ideas: construction became an opportunity to explore shape and number, while pretend play prompted conversations about dental health.

Friends Together has 48 places in total, across its provision. Its Breakfast Club and After School Club cater for children from the school's nursery through Year 6; the preschool afternoon runs from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Preschool learning and the clubs that surround it serve different parts of the day.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) provides the framework for learning: children develop through play, conversation, movement and shared activities across its seven areas. Afternoon planning complements the morning nursery's topics, while also responding to individual children's interests and needs. That gives the afternoon a connection to the morning's learning, rather than simply filling the hours after lunch.

Five daily themes add a recurring rhythm: Music Monday, Tales on Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, Thoughtful Thursday and Fit Friday. These sit alongside free play, singing, stories, small-group outdoor activities and a whole-group themed activity after snack time. The themes organise the week; children also have time to choose their own play.

The afternoon begins with indoor play, then moves through songs and a quieter story period before outdoor activity. Later, children return to indoor or outdoor play before going home or joining After School Club. There is a useful alternation here between shared activities and less directed time, with a quieter pause within the afternoon.

In January 2024, children explored magnetic construction, made bubbles and formed patterns by stretching elastic bands around pegs. These were practical opportunities to exercise hand control and persistence. Building a toy railway also brought counting and comparisons of differently shaped pieces into the children's play. Learning had a concrete purpose: making something work.

Outdoor and Community Life

The setting uses the school's dining room and link room, with access to the hall and large playground areas. Shared school facilities give children space for indoor activities and outdoor movement; the preschool timetable includes outdoor play and small-group activities rather than keeping the afternoon entirely inside.

In January 2024, children encountered celebrations through stories and creative work, including a Hanukkah story and decorating clay pots for Diwali. They also explored the jobs of the police, dentists and fire services. These examples broadened the subject matter beyond children's immediate routines, without requiring formal lessons.

Afternoon staff work with parents and the morning nursery teachers, connecting the two parts of a child's day. In January 2024, information also passed between the preschool, nursery staff and the school's Reception teacher. For a child moving between adults and sessions, that exchange can help keep care and learning connected.

At the January 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received effective support through staff understanding their needs, working with other professionals and involving parents in discussions. This is a dated finding about the support delivered, rather than a blanket promise about every future child's experience.

In January 2024, yoga activities introduced breathing, stretching and relaxation, alongside conversations about emotions and the body's need for rest. Staff also used conversation, rhymes and stories to develop language, including with children learning English as an additional language. Everyday interaction supplied opportunities to practise words and express ideas.

For the school-supervised lunch that connects morning nursery to afternoon preschool, parents supply a packed lunch, and the school charges separately for supervision. The preschool communicates the school's nut-free policy and asks families to avoid foods likely to contain nuts.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is St. Dominic RC School, Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PF. Preschool afternoons run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm and must be booked as a recurring weekly pattern for a half-term block. This is a planned commitment, with a consistent pattern across the block.

Breakfast Club starts at 7.45am and finishes when the school day begins. After School Club starts when school finishes, with a choice of collection by 5pm or 6pm. Regular bookings for both clubs are made half-termly; requests for additional sessions go by email or text by Sunday evening, and last-minute requests require confirmation.

Morning nursery ends at 11.45am, with school-supervised lunch bridging the period until the afternoon preschool begins at 12.30pm. The lunch arrangement belongs to the school and carries its own supervision charge. Families combining the two sessions therefore have a separate lunch booking to organise.

Registration forms are submitted by email, and bookings require confirmation. Invoices are issued half-termly. Current prices should come in the nursery's written quotation.

Funding and Paid Extras

Friends Together accepts the 30 free hour code for eligible families. Funded childcare and paid bookings sit alongside the separately charged school lunch supervision; the packed lunch itself comes from home. Tax-Free Childcare is also accepted as a payment method.

Getting There

Families cannot use the school staff car park for club collections or drop-offs; the alternatives identified are street parking and Baa Lambs Car Park. That makes the collection routine an important part of deciding whether the arrangement works.

Attending this school-based preschool does not guarantee a Reception place. Families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• A linked morning and afternoon. Parents provide the packed lunch connecting morning nursery to preschool; the school charges separately for supervision. At a visit, establish how the handover and lunch booking will work for your child.
• A recurring booking commitment. Preschool requires a weekly pattern booked for a half-term block; the clubs also use regular half-termly bookings. This suits predictable routines better than relying on unconfirmed last-minute requests.
• Food and allergies. Parents provide the linking-session lunch, and the preschool communicates a nut-free policy. Allergy-affected families should confirm current practice before starting.
• Collection logistics. After School Club has separate 5pm and 6pm endings, and the school car park is for staff. Consider the collection deadline alongside the parking arrangement.

Friends Together suits families using the school's morning nursery who want an afternoon preschool session, and school families seeking breakfast or after-school care. Its strongest combination is connected learning, access to school facilities and a clear recurring booking structure. The Outstanding January 2024 judgement adds weight, but the practical fit rests on the afternoon timetable, the separate lunch arrangement and the club collection choices.