Enfield Academy of New Waltham Nursery Review

Stories, conversation and practical making give Enfield’s nursery its character. The academy’s own nursery class opened in September 2023, with provision for two-year-olds, bringing an early start to school life on Enfield Avenue in New Waltham.

In October 2023, Ofsted found that nursery adults developed children’s communication effectively through their conversations. Books prompted children to join discussions, giving listening and speaking a purposeful place in their play.

Two three-hour sessions shape the day: mornings run from 8.45am to 11.45am, while afternoons begin at 12.15pm and finish at 3.15pm. A separately bookable lunch period sits between them. These are distinct blocks for families to fit around their routines.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines activities children choose with tasks adults guide. Here, that includes daily access to creative materials, with opportunities to try printing, paint and pastels. Cutting and joining introduce practical skills alongside making choices about materials. Children can explore their own ideas while learning to handle tools safely.

Drawing Club is part of the early years approach to writing, connecting illustration with storytelling. That gives pictures and spoken ideas a role in early expression. Design and technology adds purposeful construction and simple tools, alongside attention to hygiene and safe working.

During October 2023, children enjoyed shared stories and contributed their thoughts about books. Early years adults helped children develop independence, and children approached unfamiliar ideas with enthusiasm. The emphasis was on participation: talking about a story and having a go mattered alongside listening.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), support follows a repeating process of assessing needs, planning help, putting it into practice and reviewing its effect. Parents contribute to decisions, so their knowledge of their child helps shape the response.

School SEND arrangements include termly meetings to review support. Adaptations can include visual timetables, extra time to process information and individual or small-group work with teaching assistants. Speech and language therapists and educational psychologists can be involved when needed. These are school-wide arrangements rather than a promise of a particular intervention for every nursery child.

Physical access includes ramps at several academy exits and grab bars in designated toilets. Those concrete adaptations matter for families managing mobility needs. Lunch has its own bookable half-hour session, allowing it to be planned separately from the morning and afternoon learning blocks.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority’s normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their entry year. The offer comes from the local authority.

For the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, a conditional priority applied to children attending the academy’s nursery who were also eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium. Nursery attendance alone did not meet that criterion. Families should keep that distinction clear when considering the nursery.

Separately, the school provides a summer introduction programme for September starters and a meeting for parents to help children adjust to school routines. The SENCO can meet families of new children with SEND before entry. This preparation supports transition; it does not replace an application.

Morning and afternoon nursery sessions each last three hours. Lunch can be booked from 11.45am to 12.15pm. Allow for the separately bookable lunch period when planning the nursery day.

Enquiries go to the school administration team at office@enfieldacademy.co.uk or by telephone on 01472 321434. The academy is on Enfield Avenue, New Waltham, DN36 4RB. An online contact form provides another route to the team.