All Saints Nursery, Bishop's Stortford

A purpose-built nursery building, a large school field and forest school areas give All Saints' youngest children room to learn beyond their classroom. This is the school's own morning provision, with a maximum nursery class size of 24. Children normally join in September following their third birthday.

The nursery belongs to All Saints Church of England Primary School and Nursery on Parsonage Lane in Bishop's Stortford. Families of any faith, and those with none, are welcome. Its school-site setting gives children access to facilities beyond the nursery building itself.

Play and stories shape the curriculum. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides its structure: staff use children's interests and developing skills to decide what they should learn next. Activities combine children's play with adult guidance, and the classroom changes as their interests and learning develop. That makes the environment part of the teaching, rather than a fixed backdrop.

Early reading begins here. In March 2023, Ofsted found that nursery children were starting to explore letters and sounds. Phonics follows a structured programme adapted to the school, while practical equipment helps children explore shapes and numbers. These are concrete beginnings for reading, writing and mathematical understanding, woven into the early-years curriculum.

Outdoor learning is daily, whatever the weather. Equipment, tools and play resources support exploration outside, and outdoor spaces follow the learning taking place indoors. Forest School is included for all EYFS pupils. Alongside access to the field and forest school areas, this gives children different places to pursue their learning and accommodates those who prefer spending time outside.

Staff assess learning daily and use it to shape their questions and activities. Half-termly assessments also track progress, so the next steps draw on what children are actually doing.

The nursery team includes a class teacher and a nursery nurse. Parents can contact the teaching team through the school office, giving families a direct route to discuss their child.

Tapestry, the online learning journal, lets parents contribute to the assessment process. Progress updates come at least termly, with informal conversations at the door providing further contact. Families can therefore contribute observations from home as well as hear about learning in nursery.

For concerns about development or progress, the first step is a conversation with the class teacher. The teacher can involve the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCo). Class teachers, senior leaders and the SENDCo monitor children's progress through both formal and informal assessment.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Hertfordshire County Council and follow its application timetable. Choosing the nursery and securing a school place are separate decisions.

If applications exceed the available Reception places, allocation follows the admission criteria. Keep the Reception application in your plans even after accepting a nursery place.

The school nursery runs during term time, with mornings from 8.50am to noon. Families needing afternoon care can arrange this with Little Ladybirds Pre-school and Nursery, an independent operator on the same site. Children remain in their room for the noon handover, avoiding a move between settings at that point.

For this afternoon arrangement, parents can use 30-hour funding and childcare vouchers. Little Ladybirds gives priority to children allocated a school nursery place; contact that operator directly to arrange afternoon provision.

Nursery enquiries go to the school office on 01279 836006 or admin@allsaints.herts.sch.uk. Applications are handled by the school. September is the normal starting point, with entry during the year possible if places remain.