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Nursery at Prae Wood 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Magical Me is the topic in Willow Class, giving Prae Wood’s nursery a focus on the children themselves. This is the school’s own nursery on King Harry Lane in St Albans, with a nursery admission number of 39 and one September intake each year. The September 2026 cohort was for children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023.
Five mornings form the core week. Afternoon sessions and Little Breakfast Club and Little RASCals give families options for extending the day, while the nursery education follows a term-time pattern.
The morning runs from 9am to midday; children staying for the afternoon finish at 3pm. Nursery lunch is from noon to 1pm. Children can access the outdoor space freely, so outdoor time is part of the session rather than confined to a scheduled break. Named wellies stay at school, ready for the weather.
Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), learning how to behave with other children has a concrete vocabulary. Six Learning Power Pets make the ideas recognisable: Team Ant, Wise Owl, Tough Tortoise, Sensible Squirrel, Responsible Rabbit and Caring Caterpillar. Adults encourage gentle actions and considerate language, praising children when they demonstrate these. The characters give families familiar reference points for talking about behaviour at home.
Insect Lore Butterflies is a named nursery enrichment experience, adding a specific focus beyond the class topic. The EYFS Nativity brings performance into the early years programme too. These are distinct experiences alongside the ordinary session, rather than a promise of additional after-school activities.
Willow Class has class teachers, and the wider foundation-stage team includes practitioners and a teaching assistant. A welcome meeting helps parents prepare for the start. Families can also discuss concerns about development or wellbeing with the Early Years SENDCO through the school office.
Additional support uses Assess-Plan-Do-Review where appropriate. For children receiving this support, teachers meet parents each term to discuss targets, feedback and next steps. That gives families a recurring opportunity to help shape the support their child receives.
Lunch can be a school meal or a packed lunch. Nuts and nut-based spreads must be excluded because of severe allergies. Aspens handles dietary requirements; medically prescribed changes need supporting medical information and may take up to 10 days to confirm. Cool Milk provides daily milk by direct registration, free for children under five. Spare clothes can be kept on a peg for toilet accidents.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Hertfordshire County Council’s normal admissions process, rather than treating the nursery place as a continuing school place.
For September 2026 Reception entry, the on-time deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle has passed. The distinction matters when choosing the nursery: its sessions and care arrangements should suit your child independently of the eventual Reception allocation.
Every child receives 15 funded hours through five morning sessions. Eligible families can use a further 15 funded hours for afternoons, making a 9am to 3pm week in term time. Families outside that eligibility can pay for afternoons; contact the school for current charges. Afternoon bookings go through the office, with advance booking by half-term and a half-term’s notice to reduce sessions. Ad hoc sessions may be possible on request.
Little Breakfast Club starts at 7:30am. Little RASCals offers collection at 5pm or 6pm, and both use Ash Room. Children must be handed directly to breakfast-club staff. For ordinary nursery drop-off, the front pedestrian gate opens at 8:50am; follow the nursery pathway.
Uniform is optional. Comfortable closed-toe shoes, named wellies and weather-appropriate clothing are the practical essentials. Enquiries go to admin@praewood.herts.sch.uk or 01727 751930. School visits can be arranged through the office.
Morning sessions run from 9am to midday, with additional afternoon sessions from noon to 3pm during term time.
Yes. Little Breakfast Club starts at 7:30am, and Little RASCals offers an after-school session ending at 5pm or 6pm.
No. You must apply separately through Hertfordshire County Council’s normal school admissions process.
No. Nursery uniform is optional. Children need comfortable closed-toe shoes and named wellies to keep at school.
Yes. Families can choose a school meal or provide a packed lunch. Nuts and nut-based spreads must be left out because of severe allergies.
