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Nursery at Raynsford Church of England Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Learning through play gives Rayndrops its starting point, with Little Wandle phonics beginning in preschool. This is the nursery provision at Raynsford Church of England Academy in Henlow, with places for children aged two to four. Its day can be taken as a morning, an afternoon or a non-funded full day, giving families distinct session choices.
An EYFS lead works alongside preschool assistants. Leadership responsibilities combine preschool, early years and phonics, connecting the nursery’s learning with the next stage of education while keeping Reception admission a separate decision.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings learning, development and care together for children under five. Play is a central teaching approach here: children learn through what they do, rather than learning being confined to formal lessons. Raynsford aims to develop independence and confidence, alongside children’s understanding of themselves, other people and religious celebrations within its Christian ethos.
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised provides the phonics sequence, beginning in preschool. Children build their understanding of sounds as a foundation for reading and spelling. Mark-making is also the starting point for writing in the early years, giving children a way to begin expressing ideas on paper.
In November 2024, early years children, including two-year-olds, were interested in learning activities and progressed quickly through a carefully specified early curriculum. That curriculum helped prepare them for subsequent learning. The same inspection identified a school improvement priority affecting pupils beginning to write: opportunities to practise handwriting were sometimes insufficient. This was a school finding, rather than a separate nursery judgement.
Early years children were happy, comfortable and receiving attentive care in November 2024. For children needing additional help, support is coordinated through the school’s SENCo, teachers and support staff. Early Years SEND Support Teachers and speech and language therapists are among the specialists the school can involve when needed.
Support follows a cycle of assessing needs, planning help, putting it into practice and reviewing its effect. Parents contribute to decisions, and support is reviewed at least termly. Possible adaptations include visual timetables, extra time to process information and practical demonstrations, so the way an activity is presented can change to suit the child.
Physical access has a useful alternative: although the preschool’s outside entrance has a small step, a route through the main corridor avoids it. Medical care plans may also be developed with parents and, where appropriate, health professionals.
Attending Rayndrops does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority by the deadline for their child’s admission year. Nursery attendance gives no priority under the 2026–2027 allocation criteria. For September 2026 entry, the on-time deadline was 15 January 2026; Central Bedfordshire residents applied through the council’s online admissions system.
Transition support is a different matter from admission. Children with SEND can have additional visits or an individual transition programme where appropriate. Social stories, photographs and information-sharing meetings can help make a move between classes more familiar.
Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am. Funded afternoons run from 11.45am to 3.00pm, while non-funded full days run from 8.30am to 3.00pm. Session requests cover Monday to Friday, with intended starts in January, April or September.
Funding is described as providing 15 or 30 hours of childcare; it excludes meals, nappies, wipes, snacks, additional hours and extra services. Consumables charges apply to morning or afternoon sessions, and the lunch period carries an additional charge. Contact the school for current charges.
Return an expression of interest to the office or email office@raynsfordacademy.co.uk. Rayndrops contacts families in the term before their child starts. The school’s Extended Care Clubs admit children from Reception to Year 6, so that arrangement does not cover preschool children.
Rayndrops provides preschool places for children aged two to four.
Mornings are 8.30am–11.30am, funded afternoons are 11.45am–3.00pm, and non-funded full days are 8.30am–3.00pm. Requests cover Monday to Friday.
No. A separate application through your home local authority is required. Nursery attendance gives no priority under the 2026–2027 allocation criteria.
Funding excludes meals, nappies, wipes, snacks, additional hours and extra services. Morning and afternoon sessions have consumables charges, with an additional lunch-period charge. Contact the school for current charges.
Return the expression of interest to the school office or email office@raynsfordacademy.co.uk. Rayndrops will contact you in the term before your child starts.
