Four Swannes Primary School Nursery

A packed lunch in the Nursery Classroom marks the difference between the shorter nursery day and an extended stay at Four Swannes. Children staying longer eat with supervision from the EYFS team, bringing care and learning into the same familiar room.

This is the school's own nursery in Waltham Cross, on King Edward Road. Its funding arrangements cater for children turning three, with 15-hour provision and funded 30-hour places. The practical distinction matters: the shorter allocation is spread across five days rather than combined into fewer visits.

Social learning has a concrete place in the early years. In October 2024, children practised sharing, waiting for their turn and sitting appropriately. These are useful foundations for taking part in a group, rather than simply completing an activity alone.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) also includes developing movement skills. Learning extends beyond the classroom: early-years children visited a farm to explore animal care, giving them a practical connection to what they were learning.

Ofsted judged early-years provision Requires improvement at the inspection on 1 and 2 October 2024. Parts of the early-years curriculum remained under development, and children were less ready for learning across Year 1 subjects than they could have been. The improvement action included early years: teaching needed to establish existing understanding and return to knowledge children had forgotten before introducing further learning. For parents, curriculum delivery deserves attention alongside the social routines.

Longer stays require a packed lunch. Children eat in the Nursery Classroom with an EYFS team member supervising, so lunchtime has an identified adult presence. Across the school, packed lunches must exclude nuts; fresh water and balanced eating are encouraged. That gives families a clear starting point for preparing lunch.

For additional needs, the school's SEND coordinator can be contacted at sendco@fourswannes.herts.sch.uk. The school building is on one level, with wheelchair access and accessible toilets. These are concrete access features for families considering mobility needs.

CHEXS works with the school to support parents and children. Families can approach the office about this help, providing another route for support alongside contact with teaching staff.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process; Hertfordshire County Council handles school admissions and provides the application route. Choosing the nursery therefore needs to be a decision about the nursery itself, with the later school application treated separately.

After a Reception offer, families accept their place online through Herts Admissions. Starting-school arrangements follow that acceptance.

Attendance pattern. The 15 hours are distributed over five days and cannot be condensed. Families needing fewer, longer visits should take that fixed pattern into account.

Extensions run from 11.45am until either 1pm or 3.15pm and carry additional daily charges. Book them ahead through the Arbour app and provide a packed lunch. Contact the school for current charges.

Funded 30-hour places are also offered. Eligibility requires a valid code by the end of the month before a new term starts. Families are also instructed to apply for codes before the preceding term ends. Funding therefore needs arranging before the child starts.

Nursery enquiries go to nurseryadmissions@fourswannes.herts.sch.uk. Completed application forms can be emailed there or handed to the office. The office telephone is 01992 763939, with office hours of 8am to 4pm. Collection must be prompt; if delayed, call the office.