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Nursery at Highfield 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Playdough, stories and water-painted marks give Highfield’s nursery its character: early learning built around children doing, talking and trying things for themselves. The provision starts at age three and forms part of the school’s Early Years unit in Winchmore Hill. There are 60 part-time places, with morning and afternoon classes alongside full-time provision. Children usually spend a year in nursery before moving to primary school.
Adult-planned activities sit alongside play that children choose themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together communication, physical skills and relationships with early literacy, mathematics, creative work and understanding the world. Planning draws on children’s interests and development, including observations from their families. That gives parents a practical role in shaping learning.
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised supplies the phonics approach. In nursery, the emphasis is on attention, listening, language and oral blending: hearing sounds spoken separately and bringing them together as a word. Daily songs and stories provide opportunities to hear and use language. Early writing begins through play, with adults helping children explain their marks and attempt their names.
Sand, paintbrushes and water turn writing practice into something physical. Playdough, chalk and scissors give children different ways to practise hand control, while games indoors and outside develop movement and balance. For mathematics, small pebbles, tens frames and Numicon make counting tangible. In April 2022, Ofsted found that early-years children matched objects to numbers, making patterns and comparing size and amount. These are concrete foundations for understanding numbers.
Settling starts before a child takes on a complete session. A September home visit is followed by a nursery taster, then shorter sessions that gradually lengthen. The sequence gives children time to become familiar with the setting rather than beginning immediately with the full session.
Tapestry connects learning at home and nursery. Staff share observations through photographs, video and notes; parents can respond and contribute their own examples. Highfield also aims to invite families in turn to progress discussions through weekly focus meetings. This gives parents ways to contribute beyond a formal update.
Early-years staff have Makaton training. For concerns about special educational needs and disabilities, the class teacher is the first contact, with the SENCo involved where needed. Medical support uses an individual Care Plan agreed with parents; complex needs can involve the school nurse. Medication must be prescribed by a doctor, and a parent or carer must sign the Care Plan. Medication and the plan are held in the Welfare Room, with an adult supervising administration.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the same process as other applicants. Enfield Admissions Service handles applications, with eAdmissions providing the online route. For September 2025 entry, the Reception deadline was 15 January 2025; that cycle has passed.
Transition support is a separate matter from securing a place. Highfield’s SEND transition arrangements include social stories, books taken home for the summer and extra visits to meet new staff alongside a trusted adult. A transition programme can be used where needed, helping children prepare for changes in people and routines.
Morning nursery runs from 8:30am to 11:30am, and the afternoon session from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Highfield also offered 15-hour and 30-hour provision for September 2025. These patterns matter when matching nursery attendance to family commitments.
For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 020 8360 2149 or email office@highfield-pri.enfield.sch.uk. Collection arrangements should be kept up to date, including contact numbers and permission for other adults to collect. If delayed or changing who will collect, leave a message with the office so staff can pass it to the teacher.
The nursery provision starts at age three, and children usually attend for a year before starting primary school.
Morning nursery runs from 8:30am to 11:30am and afternoon nursery from 12:30pm to 3:30pm.
A September home visit comes first, followed by a nursery taster and shorter sessions that gradually become longer.
Tapestry lets parents see and comment on staff observations, including photographs, videos and notes, and add observations from home.
No. Parents must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process. Applications are handled by Enfield Admissions Service through eAdmissions.
