Redbourn Primary School Nursery Review

Morning learning, singing and Monster Phonics give Redbourn’s nursery its shape, with Treetops extending care into the afternoon. This is the school’s own nursery on Long Cutt in Redbourn, taking children from age three. The core morning runs from 8.40am to 11.40am, making it a practical starting point for families choosing shorter days.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the March 2025 inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides nursery learning. Here, that includes developing conversation, movement and relationships alongside maths, creative expression and understanding the world. The nursery curriculum covers nature, people and communities, and the past. These strands give parents a clearer picture of the learning than a narrow focus on letters and numbers would.

White Rose provides the maths scheme, while Monster Phonics supports early reading. Its sound characters, colours, stories and actions give children several ways to engage with sounds. Singing also forms part of early years learning. In March 2025, phonics teaching gave early years children a secure beginning, with teachers explaining sounds accurately; the curriculum began building foundations for later learning in early years.

For children using Early Morning Club, the day can start with imaginative play, crafts, books or tabletop games in The ALPS. Outdoor activities are included when the weather allows. This is a separate childcare session before nursery begins.

Two teachers are assigned to the nursery, with an Early Years Foundation Stage phase leader within the wider team. Families can contact the school office to arrange a conversation with the class teacher, and SEND enquiries go to the SENCO. Those routes give parents a specific starting point for discussing their child’s needs.

Food routines include an opt-in milk scheme. For children under five who want milk in the autumn term, parents email the school; registered children receive a chilled 189ml serving of semi-skimmed milk. School packed-lunch rules prohibit nuts and food sharing, and children need containers and wrappers they can manage themselves. These are useful habits to practise at home.

Safeguarding concerns should be passed promptly to a Designated Safeguarding Lead. Office staff can help families find the appropriate person.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Hertfordshire County Council.

For entry in September 2026, the on-time application deadline was 15 January 2026. That date belongs to the past admissions cycle, rather than the next intake. Treat the nursery decision and the Reception application as separate steps: familiarity with the school does not secure a place.

Treetops extends the nursery day, with collection options of 2.40pm, 3.15pm or 3.30pm. Morning drop-off is between 8.40am and 8.50am, with families asked to aim for the start of that window. Morning collection is at the internal gate at 11.40am, where a staff member accompanies the children.

Early Morning Club runs on weekdays during term time from 7.45am to 8.40am. Nursery bookings require at least six weeks’ notice and are made through Arbor. The club provides neither food nor drink, so children need breakfast beforehand and a labelled water bottle. Drop-off is at The ALPS entrance beside the staff car park, with an adult or someone aged at least 16 bringing the child.

Nursery tours can be arranged through the office on 01582 792341. General enquiries can also go to admin@redbournprimary.co.uk. Ask the school for current charges for additional hours and childcare.