Head of School's message
Welcome back to Nursery.
The application process for children starting Reception in September 2026 is now open. This applies to all children currently attending our nursery.
Attached with this newsletter is an ‘Under 11s 2026’ leaflet from Hertfordshire County Council, which explains how to apply for a school place, gives key dates, and provides further information about the process.
Please note:
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Applications opened on 3 November 2025.
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The deadline for on-time applications is 15 January 2026.
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Late applications are considered after all on-time applications, which means it’s much less likely you’ll be offered one of your preferred schools if you apply late.
If you need help completing your online application, please let us know — we can support you in school or direct you to a local library where computer access is available.
Families of summer-born children (those born between 1 April 2021 and 31 August 2021) who have chosen to delay starting Reception and are remaining in nursery this year must also apply now for a Reception place to start in September 2026.
If you have any questions about the process, please don’t hesitate to ask a member of our nursery team — we’re here to help.
You can find full details and make your application online at: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/admissions
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Please make sure you apply before 15 January 2026.
Dates coming up:
Week commencing 10th November - Trip to the local playground. Each group will get the opportunity to walk down to a local playground reinforcing the vocabulary learnt during structured storytelling.
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Friday 14th November - Pupils from Lockers Park will be visiting in the morning to perform a Band Recital.
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​​​​Last day of term will be Friday 19th December and the Nursery will be closing early. Nursery will reopen on Tuesday 6th January.​​​​
Reminders:
The school photographer attended on Wednesday 5th November - details for ordering will follow in due course.
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Story sacks and home learning packs have now gone out to the first groups and will need to be returned by next Tuesday.
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Join our nursery's social media pages to stay connected.
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Book & Rhyme of the week
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Our current Structured Stories Book is "Rosie's Walk" by Pat Hutchins.
Next week the story will move into the imitation phase of Structured Stories, where children will focus on the story structure identifying the beginning, middle and end. This will involve activities such as retelling the story with actions, creating story maps and performing the text aloud. This phase is to provide a solid foundation through understanding and practising the language patterns and structure of the text.
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Our key vocabulary of the text is "across", "around", "over", "under", "through" and "past". Please see below link to story;
Please see below a link to the story
Rosie's Walk | By Pat Hutchins | Joyful Soul Story Time | Read Aloud Book | Children's Book |
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Next week's Rhyme of the week is going to be "Ten fat sausages".
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This Rhyme will support children's Maths skills counting up to 10 and understanding the Cardinality of numbers.
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Language of the week
We are lucky to have a rich and diverse community with lots of different languages. Our language of the week is Georgian, which is spoken by some of our children and their families.
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Please find below links of how to say "Hello" and "Goodbye" in Georgian. You can practise with your child/ren at home.
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​How to say “Hello” in Georgian
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Mrs. Walters: Goodbye in Georgian
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Learning at home
Whilst you are out and about this weekend, you could practise with your child/ren the "Stop, Look, and Listen" technique to ensure they understand how to safely cross a road by stopping at the kerb, looking both ways for traffic, and listening for any approaching vehicles.
Practice this technique together in a safe setting to build confidence and reinforce the habit of cautious road crossing.
Healthy me, Healthy world
This half term we emphasise the importance of staying safe during visits to local playgrounds and primary schools. Ensuring road safety is paramount; please remind your child/ren to always look both ways before crossing a road and to use designated crossings. When walking to different locations, holding an adult's hand is good practice to ensure their safety. It's also crucial for children to know that they can always ask a trusted adult for help if they feel lost or unsure about something. By fostering open communication, we can build their confidence and ensure their well-being during these outings.
Success story of the week
Effie set up an exciting assault course on the top playground, allowing all the children to physically engage with the key vocabulary from the structured storytelling of "Rosie's Walk." This hands-on activity brings the story to life, enabling the children to walk around, under, over, and through the various obstacles just like Rosie. By actively participating in this dynamic course, the children can better understand the words and concepts in a fun and meaningful way, enhancing their vocabulary and comprehension through physical interaction and play. This innovative approach not only reinforces their learning but also encourages their natural curiosity and enthusiasm for storytelling.
