Heath Lane Nursery School: Nursery Review

A Treehouse, a meadow and a family book shed give Heath Lane's nursery life a distinctive shape: outdoor exploration and stories have concrete places here. Children can investigate natural materials, borrow books with their families and practise doing things for themselves. These are useful foundations for the next stage.

For children aged 3 to 5, Heath Lane is a nursery school in Hemel Hempstead, rather than a nursery class within a primary school. It belongs to Roots Federation, which brings three nursery schools together. Key groups have up to 13 children per session, giving families a smaller group within the school.

Adult teaching alternates with play that children direct themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers seven areas of development; staff use Roots Federation milestones to check progress and plan what comes next. In parent terms, learning involves both practising a skill with an adult and trying it out through play.

Structured Storytelling gives books sustained attention. In June 2026, work on Lost and Found involved actions, story maps and spoken retelling, helping children understand how a narrative fits together. The family book shed extends reading beyond nursery, while signs, gestures and words give children different ways to join conversations. Staff introduce story vocabulary ahead of reading.

Outside, the meadow has been used for making clay faces on trees with collected natural materials. The Treehouse has housed a display of children's seasonal finds. In July 2026, children experimented with ramps, balls and water to build an outdoor ball run, changing their designs and discussing the results. These activities make room for creative decisions and practical problem-solving.

Language teaching. In March 2023, some staff lacked confidence and skill in teaching planned vocabulary, leaving some children with too little practice. Developing this expertise across the team was the improvement required, a relevant consideration for families focused on communication.

Each child has a key person. Preparation includes a home visit or telephone conversation, information from a previous setting and an invitation to visit before starting. Some children have a settling period adjusted to their needs. At the beginning of each term, individual play time with the key person helps adults understand children's interests more closely.

Qualified teachers work alongside early years practitioners. WellComm screening checks speech and language, and staff use Makaton in everyday interactions. Children with SEND can receive adapted resources, targeted teaching and specialist involvement, with parents participating in support planning. Catch-up calls and termly summaries connect nursery learning with home.

Food also becomes part of learning. Shared snacks introduce different tastes, and a fruit or vegetable is explored each week. Baking develops practical skills; packed lunches support the healthy-eating work. Dietary requirements are accommodated. Quiet areas offer space to pause, and help with toilet training is provided where needed.

At the March 2023 inspection, safeguarding was effective and adults recognised when children were becoming overwhelmed, helping them express their feelings and return to learning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, meeting the relevant deadline.

Preparation is practical as well as educational. In June 2026, receiving primary teachers visited to get to know children moving to their schools. Assessments and achievements are passed to the next setting; some children receive extra visits or an individually planned transition. Practising shoes, buttons, zips and coats helps children manage everyday classroom routines. This support is separate from the allocation of a school place.

School sessions run from 9am to 3pm following the September 2025 change. Funding applies within school sessions: all eligible-age children receive the universal 15-hour entitlement from the term after turning 3, while eligible working families can access 30 hours. Hours beyond a family's funded allocation are charged. Ask the school for current charges.

Term-time 15-hour places are offered across five mornings or five afternoons, subject to availability. Nursery applications go directly to the school, and visits can be requested through the tour form. Uniform is optional, with green sweatshirts and polo shirts among the choices. Families can contact the office by telephone or email to discuss an application.