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Nursery at Henry Allen Nursery School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A roadway for scooters and trikes, a vegetable patch and weekly Forest School give Henry Allen’s nursery day a practical, outdoorsy character. Children have room to move and things to investigate. This is a maintained nursery school in its own right, serving children aged two to five on Mitchell Walk in Amersham, rather than nursery classes within a primary school.
Robin Class caters for two-year-olds; Squirrel and Hedgehog Classes serve three- and four-year-olds. Teachers and early years educators make up the teaching team. At the inspection on 8 May and 5 and 6 June 2024, children showed sustained concentration, curiosity and growing independence, including choosing resources and helping tidy them away.
Sessions move from putting away coats and washing hands to a short gathering with the key person, followed by time to explore indoors and outside. Children choose some activities; adults introduce others. A closing group brings everyone together for stories, singing, phonics activities and a chance to think about what they have done. That gives the session a recognisable rhythm while leaving space for individual interests.
The Henry Allen Curriculum combines planned learning with spontaneous discoveries. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) means children develop language, movement and social skills alongside early reading, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. Cookery, gardening and preparing food turn these ideas into practical tasks. Inside, children can use dressing-up clothes, puppets and construction materials, or settle into book areas with comfortable chairs.
Outside, climbing frames, tunnels and the trike roadway support active play. Forest School runs on Tuesday mornings for Hedgehog Class and Thursday mornings for Squirrel Class, making the chosen session pattern relevant to those experiences. Possible activities include building dens, investigating small creatures and making art from natural materials. Friday morning dance in the main nursery includes hopping, skipping and moving to different beats.
Settling starts at home with a visit from the child’s key person. Parents stay for an hour on the first main-nursery visit, then time apart increases as the child becomes ready. Robin Class has two initial hour-long sessions with parents present. Families should allow time for this gradual start.
An informal meeting with the key person follows around three weeks later. Tapestry posts and conversations at collection provide further ways to exchange information. In the main nursery, parents have a consultation in each term after the settling-in discussion. Children also borrow a book each week in a purple book bag, giving families a simple link between nursery stories and reading at home.
Snack combines vegetables or fruit with a cracker and a choice of water or milk. Handwashing is part of the routine before eating and after toileting. For additional needs, the garden room provides space for individual or small-group work; SEN support plans set personal targets, with SENCO oversight and input from speech and occupational therapists. In May and June 2024, communication support included Makaton and visual cues, additional needs were recognised promptly, and safeguarding arrangements were effective.
Attending Henry Allen does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application for primary school through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat choosing nursery and securing a primary-school place as separate decisions.
The key person writes a report for the next setting when a child moves to primary school. This passes on information about their development, helping the receiving team understand the child beyond an application form.
Morning sessions run from 9:10am to 12:10pm; afternoons from 12:10pm to 3:10pm. Families can choose five mornings, five afternoons, or combine full and half days. Full days are offered for three- and four-year-olds, and for two-year-olds at staff discretion. Additional paid sessions depend on availability.
Funding includes 15 hours for all three- and four-year-olds, 15 hours for qualifying two-year-olds, and 30 hours for eligible working families with children aged two to four. Funded hours can include breakfast and after-school clubs. Confirm the chosen pattern and current charges with the school.
Telephone to arrange a visit with your child, or email office@henryallen.bucks.sch.uk with enquiries. Uniform is optional. Collection arrangements require named adults and a password; changes must reach the office in writing. Nobody under 16 may collect a child.
The age range is two to five. Robin Class is for two-year-olds, while Squirrel and Hedgehog Classes cater for three- and four-year-olds.
Mornings run from 9:10am to 12:10pm and afternoons from 12:10pm to 3:10pm. Families can choose morning or afternoon sessions, or a mixture of full and half days.
A key-person home visit comes first. Parents stay during the initial nursery visit, and time apart builds gradually. Robin Class starts with two hour-long sessions attended by parents.
No. Families need to apply separately for primary school through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline.
Yes. The nursery offers 15 hours for all three- and four-year-olds and qualifying two-year-olds, plus 30 hours for eligible working families with children aged two to four. Breakfast and after-school clubs can form part of the funded pattern.
