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Nursery at St Andrew's CE Primary School and Nursery
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play shaped by children’s interests, learning gardens and a teacher-led morning: these define the nursery at St Andrew’s in Much Hadham. Its 26 places sit within the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) unit. Children join in the September after their third birthday, making this a school nursery with a single annual intake.
The early years team includes a qualified Nursery Nurse and teaching assistants alongside teachers. The nursery aims to celebrate independence and inclusion, with activities that give children opportunities to make choices as well as learn with adults.
Children learn through play linked to their interests. Activities combine adult guidance with opportunities for children to choose and direct their own learning, working independently or in groups of different sizes. That gives the morning both structure and room for individual curiosity.
The EYFS curriculum brings together language, relationships and physical development with early maths, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. In parent terms, learning to communicate and get along with others belongs alongside beginning to understand numbers and books. Exploring, staying engaged and thinking through problems are also explicit parts of the approach.
Learning happens inside and outside in all weathers. The EYFS learning gardens provide a concrete outdoor setting for that work. Physical development is part of daily child-initiated learning, with opportunities to practise both larger movements and finer hand skills; nursery children also have 30 minutes of direct teacher input each week.
Books extend the day into home life. Each EYFS classroom has a Bedtime Books bookcase outside it, where families can choose something to share and retain it while they enjoy it. Parent and carer secret readers also visit EYFS classes each week. These give families practical ways to participate in children’s reading experiences.
Settling involves learning routines and building friendships. At the Ofsted inspection on 18 and 19 July 2023, children in early years were found to settle promptly, while adults used purposeful conversations to strengthen their communication. New ideas were explained clearly, helping children understand what they were learning.
Working with parents and carers is part of the early years approach. The team aims to understand each child as a whole person and build relationships with families that support them. The early years team aims to celebrate independence, difference and inclusion.
A nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place at St Andrew’s. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its closing date. Familiarity with the school must not be mistaken for a secured place.
Hertfordshire County Council coordinates Reception applications on the school’s behalf, while the governing body is the admissions authority and allocates places. Parents are also requested to return a Supplementary Information Form to the school by the closing date. Without it, the application is assessed using the application form alone, which may result in lower priority. This is a separate decision from choosing the nursery.
A fixed morning commitment. Nursery runs from 9 am to 12 noon in term time. Places are offered for five days per week over 38 weeks, so families should plan around a regular morning pattern.
Funding and afternoon care. The nursery offers 15 hours of Free Early Education. A place is conditional on directing the first 15 funded hours to St Andrew’s. The school does not provide the additional 15 hours for 30-hour childcare; adjacent Much Hadham Pre School offers those additional hours and collects children from the nursery. Families needing afternoon care therefore have a separate setting to arrange.
Visits can be booked through the school office on 01279 842626. Nursery applications go directly to the school, keeping that enquiry and application route distinct from the council-coordinated Reception process.
There is one intake each year, in the September following a child’s third birthday.
Sessions run from 9 am to 12 noon, five days per week, for 38 weeks in term time. Places are offered for the full morning pattern.
The nursery provides 15 funded hours, conditional on the first 15 hours of funding being directed to the school. Much Hadham Pre School, adjacent to the site, offers the additional 15 hours and collects nursery children.
No. A separate Reception application is required through the Hertfordshire County Council coordinated process. Parents are also requested to submit the school’s Supplementary Information Form by the closing date.
Contact the school office on 01279 842626 to book an appointment.
