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Nursery at Shenley 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A story every day gives Shenley’s nursery a clear thread of learning through language. Alongside it, the school aims to offer Forest School exploration each term. This is school-managed provision on the Shenley Primary School site, admitting children from the term after their third birthday. Early years belongs to Hedgehog Class, placing the nursery within the school’s early learning provision.
Ofsted rated early years Good at the inspection of 28 to 29 September 2023. Children settled promptly, played independently and worked together, learning to reach agreements with their peers. For families, that gives a concrete picture of the social learning alongside the curriculum.
Play shapes the learning here. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together communication, physical development and learning to manage feelings with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Development Matters also guides planning. The practical emphasis is on building skills through play.
Books provide a daily anchor. Children hear stories repeatedly across a term, joining in with actions and familiar refrains. A classroom reading area encourages them to choose books during child-initiated learning, with further books placed beside related classroom resources. That makes reading part of their own choices as well as an adult-led activity.
Read Write Inc supplies the daily phonics approach in early years. Nursery starts with listening: distinguishing sounds, hearing sounds within words and experimenting with voices or instruments. This gives the youngest children a foundation for later word reading rather than jumping straight to printed text.
Forest School includes nursery children. The school aims to provide opportunities each term for practical exploration in nature. The school aims to build confidence and cooperation through these experiences. In September 2023, the early years learning space had plentiful resources, and children could pursue activities alone or alongside others. Choice and collaboration both have a place.
Settling was a strength of early years in September 2023: children became comfortable quickly. Close contact with families and stay and learn sessions helped parents understand the learning, giving them a practical connection to what their children were doing.
The class teacher carries responsibility for each child’s wellbeing, with senior leadership oversight. Parents with concerns about development can speak to that teacher; SEND enquiries can also go through the office team or SENDCo. This gives families clear routes for raising concerns about learning or care.
Lunch is part of the afternoon provision. For children taking 15 hours, a separate lunch club and additional morning or afternoon sessions are charged extras. Families should contact the school for current charges before choosing their pattern.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and is not one of the oversubscription priorities. Families must make a separate Reception application through Hertfordshire County Council. Priority instead covers care status, qualifying medical or social circumstances, eligible siblings and proximity rules. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as two separate decisions.
Learning does continue across the early years stages. In September 2023, the curriculum built knowledge progressively from Nursery into Reception. That continuity concerns children’s learning; it does not change the admissions process.
Sessions run Monday to Friday: mornings are 8.45am to 11.45am, while afternoons run from 12.45pm to 3.15pm and include lunch provision. Morning nursery totals 15 hours a week. The school accepts requests for 15 or 30 hours of provision and directs families to check eligibility for 30 hours of funded childcare.
To discuss a nursery place or book a tour, contact the office on 01923 855864 or email admin@shenley.herts.sch.uk. Tours are by appointment. This is a useful chance to see how the classroom reading area and outdoor learning fit your child’s interests.
Children are admitted from the term after they turn three.
Monday to Friday, mornings run from 8.45am to 11.45am and afternoons from 12.45pm to 3.15pm. Afternoon provision includes lunch.
Children share stories daily. Read Write Inc begins in Nursery with listening to sounds, hearing sounds in words and making sounds with voices or instruments.
No. Nursery attendance is not an oversubscription priority and does not guarantee a place. A separate application goes through Hertfordshire County Council.
Contact the school office on 01923 855864 or email admin@shenley.herts.sch.uk to arrange a tour.
