Commonswood Primary & Nursery School: Nursery Review

Daily stories, early sound games and regular Forest School visits give Commonswood’s nursery a clear identity: language and outdoor learning both have a place. This is the nursery within Commonswood Primary & Nursery School in Welwyn Garden City. At the January 2023 inspection, it served children aged three to four; ask the school to confirm current entry ages.

At the Ofsted inspection on 10 and 11 January 2023, early years provision was judged Outstanding. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. In January 2023, children sustained attention well for their age, and adults used play to develop understanding, creativity and independence. The strength was purposeful learning through play.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning to communicate, move and manage relationships with early reading, mathematics, creative expression and understanding the world. At Commonswood, these areas sit together in the nursery curriculum. Learning is broader than preparation for reading and writing: physical development and children’s social and emotional skills have their own place.

Little Wandle provides the Foundations for Phonics guidance used in Nursery. Daily phonics focuses on stories, rhymes and oral blending, helping children hear how sounds join together in spoken words. Books and print feature throughout the early years classroom, with daily group opportunities to hear stories and explore nursery rhymes. There is a clear connection between listening, talking and beginning to read.

Outdoors, nursery children regularly visit Forest School. The school grounds include an orchard and a forest area, giving outdoor learning a physical setting beyond the classroom. Wellington boots and a waterproof coat are required each day, so families need to prepare for outdoor activity as part of ordinary nursery life.

Developing communication, language and writing in EYFS is a school priority. Its planned strategies include role play, listening games, mark-making with chalk and crayons, and activities using playdough or threading. These connect conversation and hand control with the beginnings of writing.

A Nursery Stay and Play event took place on 2 September 2026, offering a shared activity at the beginning of that school year. For ongoing contact, parents can arrange a conversation with the class teacher through the office. Letters and consent requests use Arbor, while important reminders arrive by text and email.

Communication deserves attention. In January 2023, some parents across the school felt insufficiently informed about learning and school routines; strengthening those partnerships was an improvement requirement. The school continues to prioritise parent partnerships and termly curriculum outlines. Those outlines give families a starting point for conversations about their child’s learning.

The special educational needs coordinator can be contacted through the office, and curriculum access includes reasonable adjustments. School catering is provided by Dolce, with meal orders handled through School Grid. Families using school meals must keep dietary information up to date; an allergy-specific menu requires evidence from a medical professional.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Hertfordshire Education Authority processes school admissions, using an online application completed by the designated dates. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.

In January 2023, early years children were well prepared for their next educational stage through learning organised in a deliberate sequence. That educational preparation is distinct from entitlement to a school place.

Morning nursery runs from 8:30am to 11:30am; the afternoon session runs from 12:20pm to 3:20pm. These are nursery-specific times, so collection planning needs to follow the nursery session.

Uniform includes a sky blue polo shirt and a navy sweatshirt or cardigan, with grey trousers, skirts or pinafores. Nursery children may wear jogging bottoms. Name clothing and bags, and include the outdoor kit needed for Forest School.

Enquiries go to the school office on 01707 880420 or admin@commonswood.herts.sch.uk. At collection and drop-off, drivers are asked to approach along The Commons with the school on their left, following the school’s voluntary one-way arrangement.