Parkside Community Primary School Nursery Review

A dedicated space for two-year-olds and a shared early years garden give Parkside’s youngest children room to start small before moving into a more familiar school routine. On Aycliffe Road in Borehamwood, the school’s nursery provision comprises Acorn Class for two-year-olds and Fir Class for children starting in the term after their third birthday.

Acorn children transfer to Fir in the term following their third birthday; another nursery application is unnecessary. That continuity is useful for families, although the later move to Reception involves a separate application.

Play provides the starting point. Adults guide nursery children as they explore resources indoors and outside, helping them extend existing skills and communicate their feelings and ideas. Fir shares classrooms and outdoor learning space with Reception, while Acorn has its own teaching space alongside access to the shared EYFS garden.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) puts relationships, movement and communication first here. In parent terms, that means learning to talk and listen, manage feelings, make friends and use the body confidently. Development Matters guides planning around children’s stages of development, rather than treating everyone as ready for the same activity.

Role play, storytelling and conversation develop language. Small tools support cutting and drawing; apparatus indoors and outdoors gives children opportunities to practise balance and coordination. Stories, poems and rhymes sit alongside counting, exploring patterns and working with creative materials. These are practical ways to build the skills needed for later learning.

In March 2025, Ofsted found that nursery teaching introduced sounds skilfully by drawing on words children already knew. This gives early sound work a familiar starting point. The nursery’s emphasis on spoken language therefore has a concrete purpose beyond simply keeping children busy.

For Acorn children, the morning begins with their key person and a brief welcome activity. The school uses this relationship to help children form attachments and become accustomed to routines. Before children start, staff and parents exchange information about individual needs and interests so that planning can take account of the child from the outset.

An Early Years Lead forms part of the team structure, and Acorn has Early Years Professionals. Across the school, families can raise concerns with the class teacher and then the SENCO. Support can include classroom adjustments, structured routines and help with regulation, with parents involved throughout. For children receiving SEND support, termly review meetings add a regular opportunity to discuss needs.

Lunch can be a school meal prepared on site or food brought from home. Hot and cold choices are offered, and packed lunches should contain balanced food in a labelled lunch box, excluding sweets, chocolate and crisps. Water is provided with packed lunches. This gives families a choice while keeping the lunchtime expectations clear.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through Hertfordshire County Council’s online admissions process. For the 2026 entry cycle, the application deadline was 15 January 2026; that deadline has passed.

Familiarity and admission are separate matters. Fir’s shared classrooms and outdoor space with Reception give children experience of the early years environment. Staff also work with parents on transition information about each child’s needs. These arrangements support preparation for the next stage, but do not secure a place.

Fir mornings run from 8:30am to 11:40am, with attendance required across five mornings each week. Afternoon sessions run from 11:45am to 3:15pm. The 30-hour pattern for eligible working parents is Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 3:15pm. Families needing occasional rather than daily mornings should weigh that fixed attendance pattern carefully.

The 15-hour Fir entitlement begins in the school term following a child’s third birthday and operates during term time. Parents outside the 30-hour scheme can pay for afternoon sessions, with payment made a term ahead. Acorn accepts 15-hour and 30-hour codes; its 30-hour places for two-year-olds are limited. Additional wraparound care is charged separately. Contact the school for current charges.

Nursery applications go directly to Parkside. To arrange an EYFS visit or request an application, call 0208 387 3000 or email admin@parkside.herts.sch.uk. Uniform includes a jade green sweatshirt or cardigan, a white shirt or polo shirt, and grey or black trousers; clothing should be labelled.