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Nursery at Harvey Road 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play moves between indoors and outdoors whatever the weather at Harvey Road’s nursery. Children can choose between the two learning spaces, giving exploration room to continue beyond the classroom. This is the school’s own nursery in Croxley Green, welcoming children from age three, with one nursery class and a team led by a qualified teacher.
Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 31 October and 1 November 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Five mornings form the core programme, with afternoon sessions extending the day for children who already attend in the morning. Play is planned around children’s needs and what they have already achieved. Children choose activities, investigate ideas and learn through conversation with adults and other children. Choice has a purpose: it gives them practice in making decisions and pursuing an interest.
The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, brings together seven connected areas of development. Communication, physical skills and emotional and social development sit alongside maths, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. Learning spaces reflect these areas, with children moving freely between indoor and outdoor provision. The wider school grounds include a nature reserve with a large pond; this is a feature of the school site, rather than a promise of a particular nursery activity.
Creative work follows Development Matters in the early years. Nursery children investigate textures and materials, experiment with mixing colours and begin making marks with meaning. Language receives close attention too. In autumn 2023, early years staff regularly introduced vocabulary, sentences and poetry, helping children find more ways to express themselves. Children also learned to look after their surroundings and take responsibility for their learning.
Getting to know children starts before their first term. After a place is confirmed, families are invited to a summer induction meeting. Teachers visit children in their existing setting and speak with their keyworker, while children have an hour in school with members of their new class. Home visits from the EYFS team follow in the first September week. These contacts give staff opportunities to understand the child before routines become familiar.
Communication continues through a link book and Evidence Me, the online journal to which parents can contribute. Ask me about stickers encourage children to share learning and experiences from home. Autumn and spring consultations, an annual progress report and termly opportunities to celebrate progress give families several ways to follow development.
For children staying in the afternoon, lunch comes from home and is eaten together. The nursery teacher leads this provision with specialist early years staff, so the extension combines shared mealtime and play with the nursery’s teaching team.
Support for special educational needs and disabilities is coordinated across the school by the SENDCO. Teachers observe, assess and monitor children’s progress when additional needs are identified. Parents can discuss concerns with the teacher or SENDCO, giving them a direct starting point for agreeing support.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the Hertfordshire admissions process for Reception, keeping that application distinct from their nursery arrangements.
The nursery team plans experiences that connect with Reception, aiming for consistency in routines, expectations and relationships. That is preparation for the change of class. It does not replace the separate admissions process.
The compulsory core is five mornings, each running from 9am to noon, providing the universal 15-hour weekly offer. Families can add between one and five regular afternoons; the full-week option runs from 9am to 3.15pm.
Eligible working families can use the 30-hour scheme for additional provision; other families can pay for extra hours. Contact the school for current charges. Afternoon places are offered to morning nursery attendees, with applications opening when nursery offers are made.
For nursery enquiries, contact the office on 01923 773801 or email admin@harveyroad.herts.sch.uk.
Children can join from age three.
The compulsory five mornings run from 9am to noon. Families can add regular afternoons, with the full-week option running from 9am to 3.15pm.
The core mornings provide the universal 15-hour weekly offer. Eligible working families can use the 30-hour scheme for additional provision; paid extra hours are also possible.
Children bring a packed lunch and eat together.
No. Families must make a separate Reception application through the Hertfordshire admissions process.
