Duncombe School Nursery Review

A woodland lesson in The Dell, music in the Sound Garden and play in Treetops Garden give Duncombe’s youngest children several ways to learn beyond their classroom. Their base is Treetops, a purpose-built early years building at the school in Bengeo, Hertford. Nursery serves ages 3 to 4; Kindergarten takes children aged 2 to 3.

The provision sits within Duncombe’s early years department. At the July 2025 ISI inspection, there were four Nursery classes. Children also use the main school library, so their day combines a dedicated early years base with access to school facilities.

Creative play sits alongside daily number work, literacy and phonics. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework: learning encompasses communication, physical development and relationships as well as early reading and mathematics. Teaching is adapted to individual children, rather than expecting everyone to move at the same pace.

Specialist teaching adds a distinct rhythm. Nursery has weekly PE, science, music and Forest School lessons, alongside Spanish and French. The Dell contains an outdoor shelter, while Treetops Garden gives children another place to explore during the day. Sound Garden activities use the Kodály approach through musical games. These are different settings for movement, language and practical learning.

In July 2025, ISI found effective early years provision, with learning planned around children’s needs and good progress from their starting points. Across early years, children chose construction, painting, water play and the mud kitchen. Sorting by colour or size and matching objects to numbers made mathematics practical; drawing and writing materials supported independent mark-making. Adults extended familiar stories through rhymes and repeated phrases, building vocabulary through participation.

Physical development has equally concrete outlets. In July 2025, early years children used climbing equipment for strength, yoga for flexibility and small tools for finger control. Nursery children also have access to an individual iPad for learning. Screens sit within a day that includes outdoor play and practical activities.

Key Workers accompany children to weekly library, Forest School and Sound Garden lessons. For prospective Treetops children, a morning taster follows registration, offering an introduction to classmates and staff before an offer is made. It is a useful first encounter with the setting.

Hot lunch is included for children attending mornings or full days, and snacks accompany every session. Thomas Franks prepares meals on site from scratch; vegetarian choices are available, and the catering team is informed about individual dietary requirements. Afternoon-only attendance therefore has a different meal pattern from a morning or full day.

The school’s Learning Support Department works with parents and class teachers to identify difficulties and arrange support, including language, communication and listening skills. In July 2025, early years staffing ratios were suitable throughout the day, and every early years staff member had paediatric first aid training. Children also practised taking turns and recognising feelings, with adults demonstrating those behaviours.

Collection security. The July 2025 inspection required stronger risk assessment at school collection time because arrangements did not consistently prevent parents entering buildings. Families should take account of this concern when considering collection arrangements.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Plan Reception separately from the nursery booking: applications to Duncombe go directly through the school’s application process, with offers conditional on space and the school’s admissions requirements. Familiarity with the school should not be treated as an admissions entitlement.

Day-to-day continuity is tangible. Nursery children already visit the library and use specialist facilities, giving them familiarity with parts of the wider school before their next stage.

Choose a school day from 8:30am to 3:30pm, a morning ending at 12:30pm, or an afternoon from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Charges are collected termly in advance. Attendance commitment. Nursery children are asked to attend at least six sessions, increasing to eight in the Summer Term. Additional sessions can be booked with a few days’ notice, subject to staffing.

Funding covers limited afternoon places, Monday to Friday, during 35 term-time weeks. The 15-hour entitlement starts in the term after a child turns three; Duncombe does not accept two-year-old funding or the 30-hour scheme. Specialist lessons are included in fees. Ask the Admissions Team for current charges.

Treetops offers term-time wraparound care from 7:30am to 6pm, plus Holiday Club during some holiday periods. Enquiries go to admissions@duncombe-school.co.uk or 01992 414109; private Treetops tours can be booked.