The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Millfield First and Nursery School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Busy fingers, stories and songs give Millfield’s nursery day its rhythm, with Early Explorers extending learning into the afternoon. Provision for two-year-olds runs alongside that for three-year-olds at Millfield First and Nursery School in Buntingford. The nursery admission number is 36; the younger provision has a limited number of places. Both age groups have one September intake.
Nursery belongs to the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). At the Ofsted inspection on 21 and 22 November 2023, early years provision was judged Good. This is the school’s early years judgement, covering more than the nursery alone.
The morning moves from Busy fingers and a welcome into adult-guided activities organised by key worker groups. A longer period of child-initiated learning follows, with snack included, before tidying, reflection, stories and singing bring the session to a close. Children get both direction and time to make choices.
EYFS learning combines communication, physical skills and social development with early reading, mathematics, creative work and exploration of the world. Threading and cutting practise hand control; construction toys create opportunities to solve problems; sand play introduces measuring. Role play and Show and Tell give children reasons to speak and listen. Books are accessible in the classroom and school library, while clay, collage and percussion give imagination practical outlets.
Outdoor learning uses covered learning areas as well as open spaces across the school. These extend where learning can happen. In November 2023, early years activities were carefully chosen to build on children’s developing understanding. The nursery’s weekly plan can change in response to children’s interests, experiences and needs, keeping the structure adaptable.
Afternoons begin with lunch and personal, social and emotional learning. Mindfulness and singing precede adult-guided enrichment, followed by another stretch of child-initiated learning and snack. Reflection and stories round off the afternoon, so the extension has its own learning pattern.
Key worker groupings provide the structure for adult-led morning learning. Settling also shapes the timetable: an initially flexible pattern supports children joining Nursery and Early Explorers during the autumn term. That gives the start of nursery a different pace from the established routine.
Snacks feature in both sessions, and lunch is part of the afternoon. Millfield is nut free, and families must notify the school immediately about allergies. Where needed, home and school agree an Intimate Care Plan to support a child’s dignity and wellbeing.
Speech and language support includes Wellcomm Screening and Intervention, used by EYFS staff. Millfield is also developing Makaton signing within early years and SEND support. Parents can raise concerns with the class teacher, with the SEND coordinator joining discussions if concerns continue. Millfield SEND Support Plans give focused targets and strategies, and home-school communication books can be provided where needed. Key staff hold paediatric first-aid training. Ramps at raised entrances and an accessible toilet are practical features for families considering access.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Hertfordshire County Council, while nursery applications go directly to Millfield. Treat the two applications as distinct steps.
For the September 2026 Reception intake, applications closed on 15 January 2026. That deadline has passed; it belongs to that intake and should not be used for a later year.
For three-year-olds, mornings run Monday to Friday during term time, from 8:45am to 11:45am, providing 15 funded hours a week. Millfield recommends attending all five mornings. Early Explorers runs from 11:45am to 2:45pm for children attending morning nursery, with a minimum of two afternoon sessions weekly. It can use 30-hour funding or be paid privately.
Early Explorers Club extends attendance from 2:45pm to 3:15pm for children already attending Early Explorers, supporting families with older siblings at Millfield. Two-year-olds can attend mornings or full days during term time, Monday to Friday, with at least two sessions weekly; their provision can be funded and/or fee paying. Full days run from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Indicate interest in extensions on the nursery application form; the school then confirms arrangements. Contact the office on 01763 271717 or admin@millfield.herts.sch.uk for nursery enquiries and current charges. Visits can be arranged through the office.
Millfield has provision for two-year-olds alongside its provision for three-year-olds, with one intake in September.
Yes. Children attending morning nursery can join Early Explorers from 11:45am to 2:45pm, attending at least two afternoon sessions weekly. Those already attending Early Explorers can also use Early Explorers Club until 3:15pm.
Three-year-old morning sessions provide 15 funded hours weekly. Early Explorers can be covered by 30-hour funding or paid privately. Two-year-old provision can be government funded and/or fee paying.
An initially flexible timetable supports the transition into Nursery and Early Explorers during the autumn term.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place. A separate Reception application goes through Hertfordshire County Council; nursery applications go directly to Millfield.
