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Nursery at St Christopher 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Apple harvesting, Forest School and swimming give this nursery a character beyond the classroom. Known as Monte, St Christopher School’s nursery belongs to the Junior School in Letchworth Garden City. Its current session model covers ages three to four. In September 2025, nursery provision comprised two classes, placing children within a school community while retaining their own early years grouping.
Language is a clear priority. ISI’s inspection of 16 to 18 September 2025 found that early years activities supported children’s communication, with children developing confidence in explaining their ideas. Sorting, matching and sharing also help children practise logical thinking. These are concrete examples of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in action: learning to communicate, make connections and develop practical skills.
Weekly Forest School and swimming sit alongside music and French taught by specialists. Trips and visits take place each term. This gives children different ways to learn, from movement and outdoor exploration to listening and language. In September 2025, early years progress was tracked consistently and thoroughly, helping staff follow how children were developing.
Woodland walks and climbing equipment provide opportunities to develop coordination. Children in the early years also garden and care for animals alongside older pupils, making shared activities part of their experience. Apple Day offers a distinctive example: in 2024, Monte children helped turn the school’s harvest into juice, taking part in a process involving washing, grinding and pressing apples. It connects an outdoor crop with something children can help make.
A phased start can be arranged to help children adjust to nursery routines. Once attending, families receive updates through Tapestry, the online learning journal, together with regular contact with the nursery team. That gives parents a way to follow learning beyond the session itself.
Lunch and snacks in the morning and afternoon are included in early years fees. In September 2025, children were learning about toothbrushing and healthy eating, and trying unfamiliar fruit at meals and snack times. Staff relationships and a calm classroom atmosphere supported children’s growing ability to manage feelings and recognise their own strengths.
SEND support follows an assess, plan and do approach, with the SENCO leading day-to-day work. In September 2025, early identification and intervention extended to the early years, and staff recognised individual children’s needs and responded promptly to changes in behaviour that might signal a safeguarding concern. Additional support. The school has limited capacity for extra support, and its Individual Needs team considers applications against staffing and resources. Families should distinguish an individual approach from an assurance that every need can be met.
The September 2025 inspection also identified a school-wide weakness in recognising and supporting pupils learning English as an additional language. This finding should inform families’ discussions about language support, rather than being read as a nursery-specific judgement.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Ask Admissions what existing nursery pupils must do for Reception entry. Applicants register through the school’s Admissions Portal. This is an independent-school process: registration, assessment and a written offer are distinct stages. Offers carry their own acceptance deadlines.
Shared gardening, harvesting and animal care help children become familiar with the wider school community. That familiarity is a learning experience, separate from any entitlement to a place.
Three attendance patterns are offered during term time: five full days or three full days, both running from 08:30 to 15:30, or five mornings from 08:30 to 12:30. These are weekly patterns for families to choose between.
Included wraparound care runs from 08:00 to 08:30 and 15:30 to 16:30. Breakfast Club extends care back to 07:30, while charged extended after-school care runs from 16:30 to 18:30. Breakfast Club and the final after-school session include a meal. Fees are charged in advance each term; contact the school for current charges. Eligible families can use Tax-Free Childcare for qualifying childcare outside school hours.
There is no school uniform. Enquiries go to admissions@stchris.co.uk, and families can book a personal tour or attend an open event.
The current nursery session model covers children aged three to four.
Yes. Five mornings per week are offered, from 08:30 to 12:30. The other patterns are three or five full days.
Weekly swimming, Forest School, music and French are included, along with termly trips and visits.
Nursery progress is shared through Tapestry and regular communication with the nursery team. A phased start can also be arranged.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Ask Admissions what existing nursery pupils must do for Reception entry.
