Woodfield School Nursery Review

Learning to make a choice, put on a coat and communicate a need gives Woodfield’s nursery its context: early education within a special school for children with severe and complex learning difficulties. The school admits pupils from age 3 and has 120 places across its whole provision, rather than 120 nursery places. Its setting is Malmes Croft in Leverstock Green, Hemel Hempstead.

Individual needs shape the school’s approach. Across Woodfield, teaching takes place individually or with groups of two or three pupils. For a family considering nursery, that places the emphasis on the child’s developmental needs and practical skills rather than age alone.

The Early Years Foundation Stage sits alongside SCERTS and Routes for Learning in Woodfield’s teaching across the school. The curriculum brings together communication, movement and emotional development with early reading, number work, creativity and learning about the world. These are the building blocks of everyday learning: expressing a preference matters alongside developing physical skills.

Three SCERTS pathways are named Social Partner, Language Partner and Conversational Partner. Topics run for a half term, with an event at each end. This gives learning a shared theme while the pathways provide different starting points for children’s development.

Practical independence starts early. Putting on coats and washing hands are examples of learning from the beginning of a child’s school life. Small tasks have a clear purpose: taking part in everyday routines.

Each class has its own classroom. Across the school, facilities include sensory rooms, a hydrotherapy pool and a soft playroom, alongside extensive grounds. These provide different spaces beyond the classroom; they should be understood as school facilities rather than a nursery-only environment.

Before a child starts, transition arrangements include opportunities for the family to visit and meet the class teacher or other relevant staff. Where possible and relevant, the designated teacher also visits the child’s existing school, nursery or opportunity class. That creates a connection between the child’s familiar setting and the new team.

Therapists and medical staff support pupils across Woodfield. Families also have access to the Family Liaison Team, which helps with practical matters such as Disability Living Allowance applications, housing support and contact with external services. Support extends beyond classroom learning. The team can make referrals to Social Care and the Mental Health Support Team, and families can contact it through the school office or family.liaison@woodfield.herts.sch.uk.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Woodfield’s admissions are managed by the local authority, with most special-school admissions determined through an Education, Health and Care Plan. When a maintained special school is named in that plan, its governors must admit the child. Families should distinguish that placement process from attending nursery; nursery attendance itself is not a promise of the next place.

The school day runs from 9am to 3.30pm on Monday to Thursday, finishing at 2.30pm on Friday. These are school hours, rather than a nursery session menu.

Uniform applies from age 3: a pale blue polo shirt and royal blue sweatshirt or cardigan with the logo are among the required items. Clothing samples are kept at school for families to check sizing before ordering through School Trends.

For enquiries, contact the Admin Team at admin@woodfield.herts.sch.uk or telephone 01442 253476. Parent tours can be booked by completing the Prospective Pupil Information form; the Admin Team then contacts the family to arrange the booking.