Codicote Church of England Primary School Nursery

Learning to recognise sounds, explain an idea and wait for a turn gives Codicote’s nursery its character. This is a Nursery class within Codicote Church of England Primary School for children aged three and four. At the inspection on 25 and 26 February 2025, Nursery children attended five mornings a week.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 25 and 26 February 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Sound recognition is a concrete starting point. In February 2025, Nursery children could distinguish the sounds around them. Twinkl is the school’s early years phonics approach, giving this strand of learning a named framework. The Nursery finding specifically concerns identifying sounds children hear.

The Early Years Foundation Stage combines learning through play with developing communication and understanding. In February 2025, children in early years brought literacy and maths into their play, expressed their ideas clearly and made use of newly learned words. Their listening and turn-taking stood out for their age. These are useful foundations for joining activities and sharing ideas with other children.

Exploration also has a place in the curriculum. Early years science starts with investigating the surrounding world, with children’s interests helping shape teaching and outdoor learning forming part of that work. Computing uses programmable devices and familiar everyday technology in practical situations. These approaches connect learning with things children can investigate and use.

Extending learning. In February 2025, some chances to take children’s learning further were missed in early years. The important qualification is about stretching understanding: children were using their skills in play, but adults did not always develop those moments as far as they could.

Children’s views count. In February 2025, children in early years knew that adults listened to their ideas. Alongside their ability to take turns, this gives a specific picture of participation: young children contribute as well as listen.

Child protection involves a designated lead, a deputy and governor oversight, with regular training for all staff. The school follows Hertfordshire Children’s Safeguarding Partnership procedures. These responsibilities place nursery care within the school’s wider safeguarding structure.

Operation Encompass adds a practical link with Hertfordshire police. Following incidents involving children’s exposure to domestic abuse, police notify the school before the next school day. The designated lead or deputy uses that confidential information to arrange support suited to the child or family.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the normal deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two decisions: familiarity with the school should never be taken as an allocation of a place.

Five mornings a week is the nursery attendance pattern recorded in February 2025. Its regularity matters when fitting nursery around family routines and other childcare.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 01438 820255 or email admin@codicote.herts.sch.uk. The school is on Meadow Way, Codicote, Hertfordshire SG4 8YL.