Anstey First School Nursery Review

A garden for free-flow play, an Old School House classroom and small mixed-age groups give Anstey’s youngest provision its character. Owlets accommodates two- and three-year-olds in the Old School House; the class has 10 children. Nursery children belong to Fledglings, sharing a class with Reception, with a maximum of ten pupils per year group. Older classmates provide examples of classroom routines, making mixed-age learning part of everyday life.

In April 2026, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Choice has a substantial place in the day. Owlets combines activities matched to children’s development with play that children initiate themselves, including free movement between activities and an emphasis on the garden. Fledglings mixes adult teaching with exploration: children spend between one and two hours daily following their interests through activities connected to a theme. Adults ask questions and help children investigate rather than directing every step.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, move and manage feelings with early literacy, mathematics, creative expression and discovering the world. Montessori-inspired classroom arrangements support that approach. Materials are sized for children and kept within reach, so choosing an activity and putting it away become practical opportunities for independence. Fledglings starts with Busy Fingers activities and finishes with a story.

Outdoor learning has real places and equipment behind it. The school grounds include The Cabin outdoor classroom, a potion station, mud kitchen and raised beds. Friday morning Outdoor Adventures can take children to Anstey Hollow, with its reading circle, or nearby woodland and fields. These spaces give exploration a physical setting beyond the classroom. In April 2026, early years staff developed vocabulary through conversation, rhymes and songs; children in pre-school confidently named minibeasts during play. Talk grows from things children are doing and noticing.

Settling involves getting to know each child’s interests and experiences, with families involved as children join the class. In April 2026, predictable routines helped young children settle, while adults offered calm guidance. Early years welfare arrangements were secure, including supervision, first aid and intimate care. Familiar routines therefore support both confidence and everyday care.

Owlets has a lead practitioner and another practitioner; Fledglings has a teacher and teaching assistant. Tapestry gives parents photographs and learning updates during the week. At lunchtime, children eat in their classrooms with supervision, then help clear their spaces. Herts Catering Ltd provides meals prepared at Roger de Clare First School, with vegetarian, meat or fish and packed lunch choices across a three-week menu. An online form handles allergies and intolerances.

Additional needs. In April 2026, early years routines were adapted so children with additional needs generally participated fully. However, the inspection called for better identification of barriers to learning and targeted training, explicitly including early years, so staff deliver the graduated approach consistently. Parents should distinguish everyday participation from precisely targeted learning support. The school’s support process involves assessment, planning with parents, interventions and review; concerns can be raised with the class teacher or SENCO.

Attending Anstey’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Reception applications are made online.

Classroom familiarity is a different matter from admission. Nursery children already share Fledglings with Reception, and the early years team plans together across the provision. That provides continuity of people and learning arrangements, while leaving the application requirement intact.

Owlets sessions run from 9am to 3.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The school day for Fledglings also runs from 9am to 3.30pm. These are distinct arrangements for the two groups.

For working families, Anstey offers government-supported childcare of 30 hours weekly for three-year-olds and 15 for two-year-olds, subject to eligibility. All children can access 15 funded hours from the term after their third birthday. Eligibility determines which arrangement applies.

Contact admin@anstey.herts.sch.uk to enquire or arrange a tour. For outdoor activities, children need wellies and waterproof clothing; suitable kit matters because children cannot participate in Forest School with inappropriate clothing.