St Rose's Catholic Infant School Nursery Review

A nursery class with a place in wider school life gives St Rose's its character. Children join a Catholic infant school in Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead, with experiences beyond their own class intended to prepare them for the next stage. The nursery caters for children aged three to four; for September 2026, the intended intake was 26 children.

A full-time teacher leads the class, supported by a staff team. Catholic education is an explicit aim of both school and nursery, so families should expect faith to shape the experience alongside learning and play.

Active learning, stories and short teaching sessions shape the nursery routine. Snack and Story punctuates the morning, while Dough Disco follows lunch. These named parts of the day give parents a more concrete picture than a simple division into morning and afternoon childcare.

The early years programme described for 2024–25 used the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with play as the main way children learned, alongside practical sessions led by adults. Its seven learning areas brought together communication, physical development and emotional and social development with literacy, maths, creative expression and understanding the world. That means early learning extended beyond letters and numbers.

The Drawing Club linked stories with imaginative drawing and children's explanations of their marks. White Rose supported maths. A class reading bear went home with a child on Fridays, inviting families to share a favourite story and record interests that could inform classroom activities.

Outdoor learning had a named setting: Whispering woods. In the 2024–25 programme, St Francis nursery had its slot on Mondays, with PE on Friday mornings. Waterproof clothing and wellies were required for Forest School, making outdoor preparation part of the family's routine. The Prayer Garden also provided a place for quiet reflection within the early years programme.

Before starting, successful applicants for September 2026 were invited to a summer-term nursery visit with their parents. This offered a first introduction together. The 2024–25 early years programme also included key workers and Friday emails about learning, vocabulary and activities families could try at home.

Lunch requires planning. Children using the lunch club or purchased afternoon sessions bring a packed lunch. At Rosebuds Breakfast Club, cereal or toast and fruit juice are offered; after school, children receive a light snack, with something more substantial for those staying beyond 4:10pm.

For additional needs, the school's support follows Assess, Plan, Do and Review, with parents involved in termly reviews of individual plans. Teachers and the SENCO are the contacts for concerns. Quieter spaces within the school give children somewhere calm to regulate, while specialist referrals can bring in speech and language therapy or occupational therapy with parental consent.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority in the application. Families must apply again through their home local authority's Common Application Form. Familiarity with school life is preparation, not an admissions advantage.

For September 2026 entry, the Reception application deadline was 15th January 2026. A Supplementary Information Form and supporting evidence should also be returned to the school when seeking consideration under a faith criterion. Internal transition planning takes place in the summer term. For pupils with SEND, arrangements for moving to their next school are planned according to individual need.

The nursery offers term-time provision from Monday to Friday: a 30-hour pattern runs from 9:00am to 3:00pm, alongside a 15-hour mornings-only option. Morning children can add a booked lunch club from 12:00pm to 1:00pm or purchase specific afternoons from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. Afternoon bookings must be made a half term ahead, so this option needs advance planning.

Families using 30-hour funding must check eligibility, supply their code before the deadline and renew it within the required timescales. Eligible families are expected to use their entire entitlement for provision here; missed code requirements may lead to charges. Ask the school for current charges for additional sessions and wraparound care.

Rosebuds extends care from 7:50am before school and until 6:10pm after school. Nursery applications go directly to the school. For enquiries or a visit, contact the office on 01442 398855 or admin@stroses.herts.sch.uk.