How Wood Primary and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Rhymes, listening games and book corners give How Wood’s nursery a clear language focus. Early Worms, its nursery phonics programme, starts with communication and recognising sounds, giving children foundations for later reading rather than rushing straight into written words.

The nursery belongs to How Wood Primary and Nursery School on Spooners Drive in Park Street, St Albans, where the school’s age range begins at three. Ofsted judged the early years provision Good at the inspection on 2 and 3 March 2023. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning here includes sharing books, developing vocabulary and learning alongside other children. Nursery follows Phase 1 of AnimaPhonics, called Early Worms. Children explore sounds around them, use their voices and bodies to make sounds, and work with rhyme. These activities develop the listening needed to distinguish sounds within words.

Books have a physical place in the learning environment: each class has a book corner, with texts suited to children’s ages, interests and topics. Adults introduce reading by demonstrating it and sharing books. An individual reading book comes when the teacher considers a child ready, matched to the sounds already learned. Readiness matters more than a fixed starting point.

Nursery themes include Community Heroes and Once Upon a Time. The school aims to give early years children opportunities to sing rhymes, explore instruments and move to music, supporting listening and coordination. Wellington boots are part of the nursery kit for outdoor play.

In March 2023, early years activities were carefully organised to develop new learning, and children established routines readily. They also cooperated successfully in play and learning. For parents, that connects the planned activities with the social task of learning to be part of a group.

A teaching and support team works with the nursery, within a school leadership structure that includes an EYFS lead. For children with additional needs, the school’s support model includes adapted activities, small-group help and work with outside agencies. Review meetings bring together family, child and staff perspectives through Assess, Plan, Do, Review. This gives parents a role in discussing support and its next steps.

Milk is a concrete part of the care offer: children can choose whole or semi-skimmed milk, funded by the NHS. The How Wood Community Fund also supports families experiencing financial hardship, with applications kept confidential to the headteacher.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must apply separately through Hertfordshire County Council, which allocates places. Treat that application as a distinct task even if your child is already settled in nursery.

For the September 2026 intake, the Reception application window ran from 3 November 2025 to 15 January 2026. Those dates belong to a completed admissions cycle; families applying for a later intake need to follow the normal application route and deadline for that year.

The first 15 funded hours occupy the morning, from 9am to noon each day. A further 15 hours depend on eligibility, with additional nursery hours running from noon to 3pm. Families who do not qualify for 30-hour funding can pay privately for the extra hours. Contact the school for current charges before deciding whether the longer day suits your arrangements.

Uniform includes a navy jumper or cardigan, a white polo shirt and grey clothing. Nursery children also need black or grey jogging bottoms, a book bag and boots for outside play. Items can come from ordinary uniform retailers; the PTA’s Uniform Sustainability Shop provides another route, with orders sent home through children.

For enquiries, email admin@howwood.herts.sch.uk or telephone 01727 768885. Visits can be arranged in advance, giving families an opportunity to discuss the nursery before choosing it.