Mill Mead Primary Academy Nursery Review

Ducklings combines teacher-led activities with learning that children choose themselves. This is the nursery at Mill Mead Primary Academy in Hertford, with eligibility beginning on a child’s third birthday. There are up to 52 spaces, although the school may reduce that number to suit the needs of the children attending. Part-session attendance means the roll can exceed the number of spaces.

A qualified teacher leads the provision, supported by several qualified practitioners. For families, that means adults contribute both to planned activities and to support during children’s own learning choices.

Sound comes before formal reading here. Ducklings introduces Bug Club through seven areas: rhyme and rhythm, sounds made with the body, instrumental and environmental sounds, alliteration, voice sounds, and oral blending and segmenting. The emphasis is on listening and exploring spoken sounds. Children begin with the sound work that precedes reading words.

Adult-led activities are adapted for different children, while practitioners also provide targeted help during child-initiated learning. These are complementary parts of the day: children have opportunities to make choices, with adults contributing support rather than leaving that learning entirely unaided. Classroom book corners contain books suited to children’s ages, giving books a physical place alongside the work on sounds.

Morning attendance runs from 8.45am until 11.45am. A full day ends at 3.15pm, so families can choose between a shorter session and a day following the school timetable.

Lunch is a practical part of planning a full day: children attending full-day sessions need a packed lunch from home. Families therefore take responsibility for providing that meal.

The staffing structure includes an early years foundation stage (EYFS) leader, while the school’s deputy head also holds the SENCO role. Parents can contact the SENCO through the school office. Within Ducklings, the qualified practitioners support learning initiated by children as well as activities directed by adults, allowing help to be fitted to the activity a child is undertaking.

Attending Ducklings does not guarantee a Reception place at Mill Mead. Nursery admission and Reception admission are separate processes: families must apply again through the normal Reception application route and meet its deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and securing a school place as two separate decisions.

Eligible children with 30-hour funding can attend five full days, from 8.45am to 3.15pm. Although this timetable exceeds 30 hours, the additional hours carry no charge for those receiving that funding. A full-day place can also combine 15 funded hours with 15 privately funded hours. Contact the school for current charges.

Session changes. Cancelling or removing sessions requires four weeks’ written notice. Build that notice period into changes to childcare arrangements.

Woodlands wraparound care requires its own application. Nursery applications use the nursery application form, and the office can arrange a visit. Contact admin@millmead.herts.sch.uk or 01992 582776. Children normally start at the beginning of a half term, with exceptions for exceptional circumstances.