Woodpecker Hall Primary Academy Nursery

Rhymes and stories introduce counting at Woodpecker Hall’s nursery, giving early maths a familiar starting point. Provision covers children aged two to four, with the younger group called Puffins. This is the nursery within Woodpecker Hall Primary Academy on Cuckoo Hall Lane, offering both part-time and full-time places, including funded and fee-paying childcare.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 11 and 12 June 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Adult-led activities sit alongside time for children to choose their own play. The balance gives children opportunities to follow an interest as well as take part in planned learning. For parents, the clearest examples of the early years foundation stage in action here are language development and early number work: nursery children encounter counting through stories and rhymes, while adults build vocabulary across learning activities.

In June 2024, children’s language development was strong, with early years staff using learning opportunities to introduce vocabulary and take understanding further. Early years children also picked up expectations quickly. Familiar routines help young children understand what happens next and how to take part.

Creative learning extends beyond books and numbers. Art begins in nursery, with exploration of materials and techniques; music includes singing, listening and making music. Design and technology introduces designing and making. These give children different ways to express ideas and practise skills. Visits include classrooms and outdoor areas, allowing families to see the spaces used for learning.

A staggered start is part of the nursery’s autumn arrangements for 2026, with families receiving a letter about the staggered return. This makes the child’s own starting arrangements the practical reference point.

For children with special educational needs or disabilities, prospective parents can arrange a meeting with the SENDCo through the school office. Across the trust’s academies, support involves the class teacher, SENDCo and, where appropriate, specialists such as speech and language therapists. Parents are informed when extra support is identified, so they can contribute to planning rather than simply receive an outcome.

Arbor lets families exchange messages with the school and update their child’s information. Food also features in shared occasions: nursery children have taken part in a spring breakfast with toast and boiled eggs. This is an example of a school event, rather than a description of the everyday nursery menu.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process. The Reception application route is the London Borough of Enfield’s online form; nursery enrolment should never be treated as that application.

Transition support and admission are separate matters. For children with SEND, moves between classes can involve extra classroom visits, contact with new adults and books showing the next classroom and routines. Support is adapted to the child’s needs, helping families prepare for a change of setting and expectations.

Childcare operates Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6.15pm, with full-time, part-time and flexible-day arrangements. Funded provision runs during school terms over 38 weeks; stretching hours over more weeks may be possible.

Universal funding provides 15 weekly hours from the term after a child turns three. Eligible working families can receive 30 hours with a code valid before the deadline for each term, which must be reconfirmed every three months. Some two-year-olds qualify for 15 hours through benefits or specified child-related criteria, without a work requirement. Additional childcare hours can be purchased; contact the school for current charges.

Applications can be made throughout the year. To arrange a nursery visit or get application help, telephone the school office on 020 8804 4126. Access is from Cuckoo Hall Lane; the school no longer uses entrances on Nightingale Road.