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Nursery at Greenway Primary and 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Outdoor learning happens every day at Greenway’s nursery, whatever the weather. A school library visit each week adds another rhythm to the day, with children borrowing books to share at home. These are practical connections to school life, alongside time for play.
Based at Crossways in Berkhamsted, the nursery welcomes children in September before their fourth birthday. Its teaching team includes nursery and nursery/Reception teacher roles, with an Early Years Practitioner supporting the class. The 30-hour offer is teacher-led, with a qualified, experienced teacher delivering the provision.
The balance changes as children grow familiar with nursery. Early in the year, brief teaching activities sit alongside longer stretches of play chosen by children, with adults joining them to support learning. Later, teaching occupies more time and those independent stretches become shorter. Children gradually encounter a more structured day.
Speaking, listening and maths have daily teaching time; daily phonics begins in the summer term. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning about feelings, relationships, language and movement with early reading, writing, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Counting, making patterns, exploring materials and role-play give children concrete ways to practise those skills.
The equipped outdoor play area supports physical activity and the small hand movements needed for writing. Water play is also part of nursery life, so spare clothes matter. Weekly library borrowing extends stories beyond the classroom, with a named library bag supplied for each child.
For 2023-24, the nursery curriculum included Read Write Inc. Nursery Phonics, the Jigsaw Program for personal and social learning, and HFL Essential Foundations For Counting. These connect early sounds, relationships and number work to named teaching approaches. That year’s summer visit to College Lake focused on habitats and mini-beasts, taking learning about nature beyond school.
Settling starts with contact between settings and families. Staff seek permission to gather information from a child’s previous setting, helping them prepare for individual needs. For the September 2025 intake, children had an hour-long introductory visit before starting a full morning on the following school day. In March 2023, children in early years were settling promptly.
Emotional wellbeing and engagement are assessed during the first half term using EYFS Leuven Scales. Parents can arrange longer conversations at session end. Letters are emailed unless families have opted out, and the Arbor App carries school event updates. Families are encouraged to discuss developmental concerns before starting, so transition support can be considered early.
Children staying for afternoons bring a labelled packed lunch. Eggs, sesame, avocado and nuts are excluded because of severe allergies in school. The extended nursery day includes tooth cleaning, stories and rest as well as play. Staff ask families to develop independence with dressing and toileting, and to flag any extra help needed.
SEND support involves the class teacher and Inclusion Coordinator. A One Page Profile records measurable targets and is shared with families; provision is reviewed at least three times a year. This gives parents specific goals to discuss, rather than support remaining an abstract promise.
A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Greenway’s Reception. Families must make a separate application through Hertfordshire County Council’s normal school admissions process. For September 2026 entry, the application deadline was 15 January 2026; that cycle is now past.
Classroom familiarity is a separate benefit. Nursery children visit their Reception classroom during transition, and incoming children can meet their new teacher with their parents in the term before starting. Those visits help introduce the next setting; they do not secure admission.
For the September 2025 intake, mornings ran from 9am to midday for the 15-hour provision. Eligible families could use the 30-hour offer, extending the day to 3pm. Afternoon sessions ran from midday to 3pm across five afternoons; some part-time capacity was reviewed each term, with full-time requests taking priority.
Nursery wraparound was described as 3pm to 5pm daily, with 16 places, two qualified Early Years Practitioners and a 1:8 ratio. High tea was included, but it was not a main evening meal. Contact the school for current charges.
Enquiries go to admin@greenway.herts.sch.uk or 01442 866249. Uniform should be labelled, alongside indoor and outdoor shoes, a coat, spare clothing and a water bottle. Changes to the collecting adult must be communicated on the classroom-door board and by email to the office.
Children join in September before their fourth birthday.
No. Nursery and Reception have separate admission processes, and families must apply again through Hertfordshire County Council.
The September 2025 arrangements provided 15-hour mornings from 9am to midday and, subject to eligibility, a 30-hour day ending at 3pm.
Families provide a named packed lunch. Nuts, eggs, sesame and avocado must be excluded. For the September 2025 intake, nursery wraparound included high tea rather than a main evening meal. Ask the school about current arrangements.
Contact the school about developmental concerns before starting. SEND support involves the class teacher and Inclusion Coordinator, with measurable targets shared through a One Page Profile.
