Swallow Dell Primary and Nursery School: Nursery Review

An outdoor play area of its own and a curriculum that combines planned learning with children’s interests give Swallow Dell’s nursery its character. Children aged three and four are based in the Lowerfield building, within the school’s infant provision. Capacity is split across sessions: 30 morning places and 30 afternoon places, making provision for 60 pre-school children rather than one group of 60.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 24 and 25 June 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Planned teaching and children’s own discoveries work alongside each other. The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), combining learning about language, movement and relationships with early literacy, maths, creative expression and understanding the world. In parent terms, learning to communicate and get along with others sits alongside learning about letters and numbers.

The blended approach gives adults learning goals while allowing them to respond to children’s interests during continuous provision. Maths activities can be explored independently or with an adult during child-led learning. Play and investigation therefore provide opportunities to practise ideas, rather than keeping maths confined to a teaching session.

Phonics games, singing and stories introduce early reading. In June 2025, early years activities helped children revisit knowledge such as counting, while children maintained their attention and learned to share turns. These are useful foundations for taking part in a group as well as for later learning.

Nursery has its own outdoor play space. Experiences also extend beyond everyday activities: in 2024, Nursery children took part in a Furry and Scaly Friends animal workshop, giving them opportunities to handle unfamiliar animals and explore the natural world.

Knowing each child’s progress shapes adult support. In June 2025, early years staff used their detailed understanding of children to offer additional help through their interactions. This makes support part of the learning conversation.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school uses an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle. Parents contribute to termly reviews of individual targets, connecting classroom support with strategies for home. The inclusion team can involve specialists, including speech and language therapists, when appropriate. Families can raise initial concerns with the class teacher through the school office.

Physical care facilities include a disabled toilet and changing facilities. School Gateway carries information about events and closures, giving families a practical communication channel.

A nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place, and nursery attendance does not confer priority under the school’s Reception admission criteria. Families must make a separate application through Hertfordshire County Council and meet the applicable application deadline. Nursery applications are handled by the school; Reception applications follow the council route. Keep those two processes separate in your planning.

For children with SEND moving on to Reception, transition support may include photographs of staff, a social story and extra visits. Information sharing with professionals and the previous setting helps staff prepare for individual needs. These arrangements support the child’s adjustment; they do not change admission entitlement.

Applications are accepted for 15 or 30 hours of nursery provision. Families indicate their preferred weekdays and choose morning, afternoon or all-day attendance on the application form, so their requested pattern can be considered.

For the 2025 intake, Monday-to-Friday sessions were offered from 08:45 to 11:45 and from 12:15 to 15:15, with a charged lunch club between them. Contact the school for current charges and to arrange a visit to the nursery.

Enquiries and nursery applications go through the school office, and families are encouraged to arrange a visit. Email admin@swallowdell.herts.sch.uk. Children cannot be collected by someone under 15 unless a parent or carer has made a special agreement with the school.