Peartree Way Nursery School: nursery life reviewed

A mud kitchen, creation stations and a garden give Peartree Way’s play a practical, messy character. This is a maintained nursery school in Shephall, Stevenage, with its own pre-school provision, rather than a nursery class within a primary school. Children move on to primary schools afterwards.

Pre-school serves ages 2–3 and nursery serves ages 3–4. Nursery capacity is 100 children, with space for up to 22 in the pre-school, which occupies a later building extension. Those are capacities, not a count of children attending.

Children combine play they choose themselves with learning guided by adults. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together talking, physical development and learning about feelings and relationships, alongside early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Eight curriculum aspirations each have four milestones, giving staff smaller steps through which to support development.

Adventurers practise a named Skill of the Week. Threading ribbon through pasta in class is one example; work on buttons, socks and coat zips connects finger control with looking after themselves. Explorers learn a new sign each week, with families encouraged to practise at home. These give parents concrete ways to continue learning beyond the session.

Outdoor play uses the mud kitchen and garden, with spare waterproofs and wellies available. Quieter play also has a place. At the June 2024 inspection, children could choose less busy spaces or play independently, while stories, singing and Makaton signing helped children participate. Nursery children also visited the library, and outings included the park and posting a letter: learning extends into everyday community life.

June 2024 also brought a curriculum concern. Adults adjusted activities to children’s immediate needs, but senior leaders lacked consistently clear information to assess the curriculum strategically and identify changes promptly. That distinction matters: responsive daily teaching still needed better oversight.

Key people work within the Explorers, Voyagers and Adventurers teams. Starting arrangements typically include visits with a parent, photographs of the setting and staff, an offered home visit and shorter sessions in the first week. Adjustments reflect individual needs, allowing the introduction to proceed at a pace suited to the child.

Parents have consultations each term and can arrange a longer conversation with a teacher. For SEND concerns, the child’s key person is the first contact. Support can include now-and-next boards, Wellcomm activities and individual or small-group work. A SENDCo and inclusion lead work together, so support involves both classroom staff and specialist coordination.

In June 2024, children with SEND received help promptly and made strong learning and social progress; safeguarding arrangements were effective. The November 2024 staffing position was that keyworkers held, or were working towards, at least NVQ Level 2, with the vast majority holding Level 3.

Children attending for 30 hours stay for lunch club and bring a nut-free packed lunch. Breakfast club includes fruit, cereal and milk; after-school care includes a snack and drink.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception admissions process for their chosen primary school.

Transition support is a separate benefit. Staff exchange information with receiving primary schools and arrange extra visits for children who would benefit. Hertfordshire’s smooth transitions procedures support that information sharing, with the level of help tailored to each child’s needs.

The universal 15-hour offer starts the term after a child’s third birthday and runs during term time for 38 weeks. Children take five mornings, 08:30–11:30, or five afternoons, 12:30–15:30, subject to availability. Eligible families can take the 30-hour nursery pattern, Monday to Friday, 08:30–14:30, during term time.

Wraparound care for full-time nursery placements is charged separately and depends on availability: breakfast club runs 08:00–08:30, an extension covers 14:30–15:30, and after-school club runs 15:30–16:00. Paid pre-school placements require at least two sessions a week. Ask the school for current charges.

Uniform is optional. Bottle green is the school colour, but practical clothing that can get dirty is the priority. Joggers or leggings support independent toileting; footwear must have closed toes, and Crocs are excluded. Name clothing and equipment. Enquiries go to 01438 353897 or admin@peartreeway.herts.sch.uk, and nursery and pre-school applications use separate online forms.