Flamstead Village School Nursery

At the 30 June 2023 inspection, learning to manage behaviour began in the early years at Flamstead Village School. Adults taught children routines and helped them learn to regulate their behaviour. Nursery provision belongs to the mixed primary school on Trowley Hill Road in Flamstead; the school's age range begins at three.

Routines give children something concrete to learn alongside their classroom activities. In June 2023, adults taught appropriate routines from the early years and showed children how to regulate their behaviour. For parents, this means that learning to take responsibility for behaviour is part of the educational day, rather than simply an expectation children must already meet.

Expectations for learning were high, including for early-years children. Teaching nevertheless had an important weakness: staff did not consistently choose methods and materials that helped children grasp the intended learning, including in the early years. The June 2023 improvement action called for further staff training. Teaching choices matter. Ambition needs suitable activities and resources behind it if children are to achieve what they could.

Support for additional needs begins with the class teacher. Across the school, teachers make reasonable classroom adjustments, which can include individual work or learning in a small group. These are practical ways to change how a child accesses learning, rather than expecting every child to manage the same task in the same way.

Parents can discuss concerns with their child's teacher, who involves the special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo). That gives families a clear first contact and a route to more specialist discussion. The SENDCo can also meet parents, including at parents' evening, to discuss working together to support their child.

An individual learning plan is developed by the teacher and discussed with parents at an arranged meeting. This gives the conversation a specific focus: the child's learning and the help being planned. Children receiving additional help are included on the school's SEND register. Where advice from other professionals is sought, parental permission is requested first, keeping families involved in that step.

Hertfordshire's Local Offer provides another route to support for children with SEND and their families. It covers education support, short breaks, courses and events, alongside Hertfordshire's Additional Needs Database (HAND). For a family considering nursery, these school-wide arrangements provide concrete ways to raise concerns and participate in planning support.

Attending Flamstead Village School's nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery admission and Reception admission are separate processes: families must apply again through the normal Reception application route by the normal deadline. Treat the nursery decision and the Reception application as two separate tasks, so choosing the nursery does not lead to an assumption that the next place is secured.

The school is at 59 Trowley Hill Road, Flamstead, St. Albans, AL3 8DL. For an enquiry, telephone 01582840385. Use this school contact when making initial contact about the nursery provision.