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Nursery at Tottenhall Infant 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, sustained play and learning to speak confidently give Tottenhall’s nursery its character. Based within Tottenhall Infant School on Tottenhall Road in Palmers Green, it shares the school’s early years emphasis on communication and independence. The aim is practical: children learning to explain an idea, join an activity and do more for themselves.
Ofsted’s February 2026 inspection judged early years provision to be Strong standard within the school’s inspection. That judgement covers the early years phase, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Its nursery-specific findings describe children developing an understanding of how stories work and the habits needed for learning.
Play has room to develop here. Children have extended periods to pursue activities, with adults joining their play to talk and share ideas. Physical play and opportunities to investigate their surroundings sit alongside this. Staff observe children and adjust classroom provision around their interests and development, so planning responds to the children using it.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, manage feelings and move confidently with early literacy, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. These areas connect through practical experiences. Indoor construction, building outdoors, sand, water and materials that children can mould provide different ways to explore, make things and practise handling equipment.
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised provides the nursery’s Foundations for Phonics approach. Stories and rhymes develop language, while daily oral blending helps children hear how separate sounds combine into words. This is preparation for reading through listening and speaking.
In February 2026, early years teaching combined clear adult language with questions that encouraged children to explain their ideas. Goldilocks and the Three Bears supplied one example of children discussing a familiar story. Singing, role play and practical activities gave them other ways to participate. For children beginning with little English, that repeated attention to communication helped build confidence and vocabulary.
Settling starts with contact between home and school. Children entering early years at the start of the academic year usually receive a home visit. A gradual start can be agreed for children who need it, with parents involved in planning and reviewing the arrangement. Class teachers are available for conversations after children have been dismissed, giving families a regular route to raise concerns.
Support can draw on the school’s SEND team and outside specialists. Early Talk Boost addresses speech and language, while Tiger Teams works on gross motor skills. The school also has a sensory room accessible to pupils when needed. In February 2026, early years provision was adapted around children with SEND, supporting their independence and wellbeing.
Dietary requirements and allergies are discussed with families and passed to relevant staff. The school’s lunch hall serves halal food, with vegetarian and meat choices, and uses different coloured trays to distinguish them. Its nut-free rule applies to packed lunches too. These are practical safeguards for families managing food restrictions.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Tottenhall follows the local authority’s admission policy and directs online applicants to eAdmissions. For the 2026 entry cycle, the Reception deadline was 15 January 2026; that deadline has passed.
Transition support is a separate matter. Summer handover meetings allow the current and next class teachers to share children’s needs. Additional help with a change of teacher can be arranged where a child would benefit, so familiarity and support do not depend on an admissions promise.
Two nursery sessions are listed: mornings run from 8.30am to 11.30am, and afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Each gives families a distinct collection time to plan around.
Prospective parents can arrange a visit through the school office; school tours take place on Tuesday mornings when the headteacher is available to conduct a tour. Contact office@tottenhall.enfield.sch.uk or 020 8829 1100. The school uniform includes a green logo sweatshirt or cardigan, supplied through Mapac. Label clothing and belongings so they can be returned to the right child.
Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoon sessions run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
Children follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised Foundations for Phonics, using stories, rhymes, language development and daily oral blending.
Children starting early years at the beginning of the academic year usually have a home visit. A gradual start can be planned and reviewed with parents where needed.
No. Families need to apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions route. Tottenhall directs online applications to eAdmissions and follows the local authority’s admission policy.
Yes. Parents and carers are welcome to look around the school or nursery before applying. Contact the office to arrange an appointment.
