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Nursery at Icknield Infant and Nursery School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A Library Bus on the playground gives story time its own setting at Icknield. Classes have a weekly turn aboard, adding a distinctive place for children to share books alongside their classroom learning. Caterpillar is the nursery class at this infant and nursery school on Archers Way, Letchworth Garden City, with provision for children aged three and four.
At the Ofsted inspection on 3 and 4 June 2025, early years provision was judged Good. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Children learned routines promptly, with staff helping the small minority in Nursery who needed more support.
Play sits alongside teaching. Children spend time in activities led by adults, whole-class learning and play they choose themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning with care and development: talking, relationships and physical skills sit alongside early literacy, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. Themes include Diwali and Children in Need, while children's interests also shape activities.
Early reading uses Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised. In Nursery, Foundations for Phonics develops listening and spoken language through poems, stories, rhymes and blending sounds aloud. Maths draws on Essentials Maths, with small-group work on counting, comparison and patterns followed by opportunities to explore those ideas in play. These are practical beginnings, giving children things to hear, discuss and try.
Indoors, a painting area and a writing area give children materials for making marks and exploring colour. The workshop brings fabrics, straws and recycled materials into construction; outside, planks, large wooden blocks and large Duplo let children build around their play ideas. Forest School activities take place in the school grounds. Children keep wellies at school, and waterproof clothing can be supplied when needed, making outdoor learning part of the nursery experience.
Settling starts before the first nursery day. New children receive a home visit from the Nursery team in June or July, followed by a small-group Stay and Play session lasting half an hour in September. Entry is staggered: the first day lasts two hours, the second three. Families can discuss a longer settling schedule during the home visit. An assigned key person supports learning and settling and provides the first contact for parents.
Tapestry shares photographs, videos and observations with families. Parents can contribute too, and children discuss home uploads on Tuesdays, giving their experiences outside nursery a place in classroom conversation. There are also two formal meetings each year with the class teacher.
Snack Stop provides water and healthy snacks during the day, with an adult supporting children while they eat. Packed lunches must be labelled, and milk is ordered through Cool Milk. Families provide spare clothes and consent for changing when necessary.
SEND support. In June 2025, early years staff used children's targets to guide individual support. However, school-wide weaknesses in identifying SEND and sharing information meant teaching was not adapted adequately for some pupils. Families whose child needs adjustments should discuss these with the SENCO before joining, using senco@icknieldinfants.herts.sch.uk.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Hertfordshire County Council and meet the deadline for their child's entry year. For September 2026 entry, that deadline was 15 January 2026; this was a past admissions cycle.
Transition support is a separate matter. The Reception joining programme includes visits to children's existing settings where applicable, a home visit, an after-school Stay and Play session and activities as the new term begins. These help children become familiar with the next stage, but do not secure admission.
Morning Only runs from 8.50am to 11.50am; Full Day finishes at 3.20pm after the same start. Doors open at 8.40am. Both patterns run Monday to Friday in term time, with no flexible-day booking. Full-day spaces are limited, so this model suits families able to use a regular school-week pattern.
Mornings provide 15 funded hours weekly. Eligible working families can use a 30 hours code towards the full-day pattern of 32.5 hours, with 2.5 additional hours invoiced each week. Without that code, 17.5 additional hours are invoiced. Ask the school for current charges and availability on 01462 620406 or admin@icknieldinfants.herts.sch.uk; nursery applications are handled by the school.
Uniform includes grey or black joggers or leggings, a white or red polo shirt and a red jumper or sweatshirt. Logo items are optional. Parents must notify staff in advance if collection will be by someone other than the adult who brought their child.
Morning Only is 8.50am to 11.50am, and Full Day is 8.50am to 3.20pm. Both run Monday to Friday during term time; flexible days are not offered.
A home visit and September Stay and Play session precede a staggered start. Children initially attend for two hours on their first day and three on their second, with individual adjustments discussed during the home visit.
Little Wandle Foundations for Phonics uses stories, poems, rhymes and listening activities, including blending sounds aloud. It develops the spoken-language foundations for later reading.
No. A separate application is required through Hertfordshire County Council, by the deadline for the relevant entry year.
Tapestry shares photographs, videos and observations, and parents can add experiences from home. Families also have two formal meetings each year with the class teacher.
