Hartford Infant and Preschool: Nursery Review

Twenty children per session sets the scale of Hartford’s preschool, with morning, afternoon and extended days for children aged 3 and 4. It forms part of Hartford Infant and Preschool and The Cam Academy Trust. For families choosing between a shorter session and a day spanning lunch, those distinct patterns make the practical choice clear.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 21 and 22 March 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate preschool rating.

Three-hour sessions run in the morning or afternoon, while the extended pattern joins the two. Afternoon and extended sessions include a packed lunch brought from home. This makes lunch preparation part of the family’s routine.

The preschool belongs to the early years foundation stage (EYFS). Hartford’s curriculum aims emphasise communication, confidence and curiosity: listening and expressing ideas, becoming independent, and asking questions. These give parents a useful way to think about learning beyond individual activities.

Hartford Heroes turn learning habits into characters. Problem Solving Snake and Perseverance Parrot represent working through difficulties and keeping going; children learn these characteristics in EYFS. Physical resources across the school’s early years provision include mud kitchens in the EYFS gardens and bug rugs for sitting. These are concrete features of the wider early years environment.

Learning focus. In March 2023, preschool resources and activities were insufficiently linked to intended learning, leaving children with an incomplete set of experiences. Staff needed clearer understanding of the content and its delivery to prepare children for the move to Reception. This is a material consideration when weighing the preschool’s educational offer.

Packed lunches are required for both the afternoon and extended patterns, so families supply the meal for those sessions. Tapestry is used for preschool remote learning, providing a named digital route for learning away from the setting.

Within the school’s support structure, the SEND coordinator can be reached through the office and works on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Nest is a school nurture room for children identified as needing help with emotional, social or mental health needs. Support there is shaped by assessment, staff observations and discussion with families. These are school-level arrangements, with an office contact for parents raising concerns.

Child protection training is regular for staff and governors. Concerns about a child or family go to the safeguarding team, with information shared only with those who need it.

Preschool attendance neither guarantees entry to Hartford’s Reception nor gives higher admissions priority. Families must make a separate application. Familiarity with the school does not replace that step.

The normal online application window starts in September and ends in January, with decisions communicated in April. Cambridgeshire residents apply through the county council’s admissions service; families outside the county use their home local authority. For preschool children with an EHCP, school admission follows the statutory consultation process.

Attendance is Monday to Friday during term time. Morning sessions are 9am to noon, afternoons noon to 3pm, and extended sessions 9am to 3pm. The minimum booking is three sessions, totalling nine hours, each week.

All children aged 3 and 4 have a 15-hour weekly funded entitlement; some qualify for another 15 hours, taking the total to 30. Sessions can use Nursery Education Funding or be paid for by the session. Contact the school for current charges.

For enquiries, email office@hartfordinfantschool.org or telephone 01480 398046. School tours can be arranged through the office, giving families a practical next step before choosing a session pattern.