Colney Heath Primary School Nursery

Songs, sound games and listening walks give Colney Heath’s nursery a clear emphasis on learning through listening and play. A qualified teacher leads the provision, supported by a team of support staff. This is the school’s own nursery unit, with places for children aged three who turn four during the academic year.

Both 15-hour and 30-hour places are offered. For families, that makes the nursery’s session pattern and access to extra care important practical considerations alongside the learning itself.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning, development and care. Here, it covers language, movement and relationships alongside early reading, mathematics, creative work and understanding the world. Children explore ideas, practise concentrating and try different ways to solve problems. Teachers and early years practitioners plan this learning together.

Letters and Sounds Phase 1 gives the nursery day some concrete detail. Children sing daily, with several brief activities across the week addressing different aspects of sound. Listening walks encourage attention to the surrounding environment; drumming on outdoor objects lets children compare noises. Making shakers gives them another way to experiment. These activities prepare listening skills before more formal reading work.

Stories and instruments are brought together, while clapping syllables and playing rhyming bingo draw attention to patterns in speech. Oral blending activities help children hear separate sounds and combine them into words. Some Phase 2 work is introduced when children are ready, usually around the beginning of the summer term. Readiness matters here.

The nursery’s 2025-26 curriculum also included playdough tools, puzzles and threading equipment for practising hand control. Its language work used carpet discussions and supported conversations during play. Together, these examples show how small practical tasks and adult interaction contribute to learning.

Independence develops through everyday routines. The 2025-26 nursery curriculum included help with eating, toileting, handwashing and putting on outdoor clothing, alongside sharing resources and taking turns. Calm corners and mindful exercises were included as ways for children to manage feelings.

Within Spiral Partnership Trust’s early years transition arrangements, children starting nursery are likely to receive home and previous-setting visits. That is a qualified expectation, rather than a guaranteed settling programme. Parents can raise concerns with the class teacher, with SENCo meetings arranged where needed. Support planning follows an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle, and parents’ consent is required before a child joins the SEND register.

Meals carry a daily charge if required. Ask the school for current charges when arranging attendance.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Hertfordshire County Council’s normal admissions route and meet the deadline for their intake.

Attendance gives no Reception priority under the 2027/28 oversubscription criteria. Those criteria consider care status, medical or social need, siblings, nearest school and distance. Choosing the nursery therefore needs to stand on the nursery experience itself.

Transition support is a separate matter. Trust arrangements include passing information to the next teacher and opportunities for children to meet that teacher and spend time in the classroom. Some children may receive additional visits, social stories or a transition book according to need.

Morning nursery sessions finish at midday; afternoon sessions run from 1pm to 3pm. Confirm the morning start time with the school when arranging attendance. Breakfast and After School Clubs are also open to nursery children, giving families another option around session hours.

The nursery offers 15 free hours, with a further 15 hours each week for eligible children. Applications go directly to the school using its nursery application form, returned by email, post or hand delivery. For enquiries, contact 01727 823898 or admin@colneyheath.herts.sch.uk.