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Nursery at Belswains Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Five mornings shape nursery life at Belswains, with breakfast and lunch clubs allowing families to extend care around the teaching session. Wrens is the school's nursery class, based at Barnfield in Hemel Hempstead. The September 2026 intake was planned for 26 children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023.
The nursery sits within a primary school with spacious grounds. Its emphasis is practical learning: children learn by trying things and observing what happens, rather than simply listening to explanations.
The core session runs from 08:45 to 11:45, Monday to Friday. That gives children a repeated morning pattern, with additional care bookending the session for families who use the clubs.
Learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In parent terms, this brings together learning to communicate, move and manage relationships with early reading, mathematics, creative expression and discovering how the world works. These seven learning areas are interconnected. Practical activities are the main vehicle for learning.
In March 2023, Ofsted found that early years gave substantial attention to conversation and language development, with stories and discussion featuring in children's learning. Children also practised sharing turns, cooperating and following routines. Snack time and play outdoors were opportunities to become more independent. Everyday habits mattered alongside learning activities.
Early phonics teaching was precise in March 2023, and children became familiar with its routines as they began reading. This adds structured work on reading to the practical and social elements of the day.
Relationships provide an important foundation. In March 2023, children formed trusting connections with adults from the beginning of early years. Before starting, children can visit the school, giving them an opportunity to become familiar with their next setting. Nursery Stay and Play sessions also invite parents into their child's learning.
Children joining nursery are assessed across the learning areas to establish their starting points. For children needing extra help, the Graduated Approach uses Assess, Plan, Do, Review alongside the Waves of Intervention model. Support can involve adapted classroom activities, individual or small-group work and advice from outside professionals. Targets are reviewed with parents, so support can respond to the child's progress.
Parents can raise developmental or wellbeing concerns with the class teacher, with the special educational needs coordinator involved when further support is needed. Communication includes parent evenings, reports, meetings and calls or emails. Foundation stage staff receive paediatric first aid training.
Lunch club is an optional paid addition. Across the school, HCL prepares lunches on site and can provide individual menus for dietary requirements, making food needs part of the wider care conversation.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Hertfordshire County Council and meet the normal application deadline.
Transition arrangements are separate from that application. Once a child has been offered a place, the school contacts the family after National Offer Day to arrange visits for parent and child. These visits support familiarity with school; they do not secure admission.
The nursery provides 15 hours each week. Paid breakfast and lunch clubs can extend care from 07:45 until 12:45 daily, and both clubs can be booked through Arbor. Collection time. The combined nursery and club offer can cover 07:45 to 12:45 daily. Check collection arrangements with the school when planning afternoon care.
Contact the school office on 01442 264324 or admin@belswains.herts.sch.uk for nursery applications. School visits can also be arranged by telephone. Ask the school for current club charges.
Uniform is expected for all children. The school colours include a white shirt or polo and a red jumper, sweatshirt or cardigan, with grey or black trousers or a skirt. Clothing should be labelled, and supermarket uniform without the school logo is permitted.
The core session is 08:45 to 11:45, Monday to Friday, providing 15 hours each week.
Yes. These are paid additions that can extend care from 07:45 until 12:45 daily. Nursery breakfast and lunch clubs are booked through Arbor.
No. A separate application must be made through Hertfordshire County Council.
Children are assessed when they join nursery. Support may include classroom adaptations, individual or small-group interventions and external professional advice, with targets reviewed alongside parents.
Contact the school office on 01442 264324 to arrange an appointment to visit the school.
