Sheredes Primary School Nursery Review

Early communication and dependable routines give Sheredes Primary School’s nursery its character. Reading starts with helping young children communicate, while familiar routines introduce responsibility for their behaviour. These are useful foundations for a child’s first experience of school: learning to express themselves and understanding what happens next.

Children enter in September ahead of their fourth birthday, making this provision for three-year-olds within the primary school. At the inspection on 7 and 8 March 2023, Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Communication is the clearest thread through the nursery’s learning. In March 2023, staff were skilled at developing children’s early communication, with reading given attention from Nursery onwards. The emphasis starts before fluent reading: helping children build the language they will use to understand and discuss books.

The curriculum includes the Foundation Stage. The school aims to develop children’s learning skills alongside their understanding of the world, giving the early years a purpose beyond preparation for later lessons. Its reading approach uses stories and rhymes alongside poems and non-fiction, with vocabulary and understanding as central aims. Different kinds of text give children different ways to encounter language.

Twinkl Phonics is the named programme used for systematic synthetic phonics, which teaches reading through sounds. Across early years, reading practice uses scheme books matched to that programme. Children also choose a separate sharing book for reading with parents or carers. The two serve different purposes: practice linked to teaching and a book to enjoy together.

Reliable routines begin in Nursery. In March 2023, these supported the development of responsibility for behaviour. For young children, a predictable pattern gives the expectations of school life a practical starting point.

Parents have a New to Nursery meeting covering the school’s approach and everyday practice. This gives families an introduction to how the nursery works, alongside children’s introduction to its routines. The early focus on communication also makes expressing themselves part of children’s learning from the outset.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. The stated route is to return an admission form to County before January of the year the child will start; the school also asks families to complete its own form.

Preparation for the next stage includes a New to Reception parent meeting and a visit for incoming Reception children to spend time with their new class. These introduce families to classroom life. They are transition activities, separate from the allocation of places.

Nursery admission enquiries go directly to the school. Families can contact the office on 01992 465154 or email admin@sheredesprimary.herts.sch.uk. The nursery’s September entry pattern places the start in the school year before a child turns four.