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Nursery at St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Painted footprints, caterpillars in the atelier and homemade planets give St Andrew's nursery its character: children explore ideas by making things and observing the world around them. The nursery belongs to St Andrew's Church of England primary school on Benslow Lane in Hitchin. Children start together in September, before turning four, so entry follows a single annual intake.
The main offer is 30 hours, with a limited number of morning-only 15-hour places possible after full-time allocations, if spaces remain. This is a provision built around the school year rather than year-round childcare: attendance is term-time, for at least 38 weeks annually.
A morning runs from 8.45am until 11.45am. For full-time children, lunch bridges the morning and the afternoon, which runs from 12.15pm until 3.15pm. The afternoon is reserved for those attending full-time; children taking 15 hours attend mornings.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning combines practical exploration with preparation for later learning. In April 2026, a minibeast topic included drawing activities using early writing skills. Children also printed caterpillars with repeating patterns in the atelier, bringing mark-making and mathematical ideas into the same activity. In May, live caterpillars arrived in Nursery, giving children something real to observe alongside their artwork.
Physical activity reaches beyond the classroom. Nursery joined Sports Day in June 2026, tackling an obstacle course alongside running, throwing and an egg-and-spoon race. Later that month, children made painted footprints on paper before dipping their feet into a paddling pool and imagining a beach. These examples show movement, sensory exploration and imaginative play sharing the nursery day.
A nursery class teacher forms part of the staffing structure, alongside an EYFS lead within the school. For children needing additional support, the school's SEND arrangements use Pupil Passports to capture interests, strengths and difficulties. Children on the SEND register have an Individual Provision Map, with parents involved in termly reviews of adjustments and interventions. That gives families a regular opportunity to contribute to support planning. The inclusion coordinator can be contacted through the office or at senco@standrews.herts.sch.uk.
Full-time attendance includes the lunchtime session, with no extra session charge. The school lunch itself is charged separately; families should ask the school for current charges. Keeping those two elements distinct helps when planning the nursery day and its costs.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child's entry year. Hertfordshire County Council is the application route. For the past September 2026 intake, the deadline was 15 January 2026; that date should not be treated as a future deadline.
Contact with Reception can connect children's learning across classes. In June 2026, Nursery children made their own decorated planets after being inspired by a Reception assembly. This is an example of shared learning, separate from the allocation of Reception places.
Families who do not qualify for fully funded 30-hour provision can pay for the additional 15 hours. If eligibility ends, a 15-hour place remains open, with the option to pay for the extra hours to retain full-time attendance.
Holiday care. Play Aloud can arrange wraparound provision during some school holidays. Families needing holiday childcare should plan around that limited availability rather than the nursery's term-time timetable.
Nursery enquiries go to the school office on 01462 459160 or admin@standrews.herts.sch.uk.
Inspection context. The school-wide ungraded Ofsted inspection of July 2024 indicated that a future graded inspection might reach a lower judgement. It also identified inconsistent assessment and opportunities to improve written work across the school; this was a school-wide concern, not a separate nursery judgement.
Children join in September before their fourth birthday, through one annual intake.
Limited 15-hour places may be allocated if places remain after 30-hour allocations. Children attending for 15 hours must take the morning session.
The lunchtime session is included without an additional session charge for full-time children. School lunch has a separate charge; contact the school for current charges.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for the relevant entry year.
Nursery is term-time only, for a minimum of 38 weeks each academic year. Wraparound care during some school holidays can be arranged directly with Play Aloud.
