Fleetville Infant and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Stories, songs and conversation give Fleetville’s nursery its clearest character. Children encounter books such as Monkey and Me and The Three Little Pigs, while adults help them extend their vocabulary. The emphasis is on getting children talking and engaged in learning.

This is the nursery within Fleetville Infant and Nursery School on Royal Road in St Albans. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 14 and 15 December 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) here builds foundations through play, language and learning experiences. In December 2023, children in early years showed sustained involvement in their learning, and adults helped them develop communication through stories, rhymes and songs. For parents, that means early learning includes listening and finding words to express ideas.

Books give this work concrete starting points. Nursery texts include Monkey and Me, The Three Little Pigs and Lost and Found. These sit alongside the songs and rhymes that children learn, giving them different ways to encounter language. The school aims to develop a love of books through carefully chosen texts.

Learning begins with what children can already do. In December 2023, staff took time to understand children’s starting points when they joined Nursery or Reception. This connects the first experiences of school with the individual child, rather than treating settling and learning as separate jobs.

Settling was a strength in December 2023: children joining Nursery or Reception became comfortable with school life quickly after staff got to know them. That personal attention matters during the move from home or another setting.

For children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), support involves parents as well as staff. The school uses a cycle of assessing needs, planning help, putting it into practice and reviewing its effect. Parents help plan the support and its review, so there is an opportunity to reconsider what works as needs change. The school SENCo can be contacted through the office to discuss concerns; a Trust SENCo also supports the school team.

Mid-morning milk is provided through Cool Milk. Children under five receive it free, with parents registering to opt in. Medication can be administered by designated staff with parental permission and the necessary paperwork.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and confers no priority under the 2027/28 oversubscription criteria. Families must make a separate application through the normal Hertfordshire County Council admissions process. Familiarity with the school should therefore be kept separate from the question of securing a place.

For children moving to another year group, the Trust’s transition arrangements include staff handovers and time with the new teacher in the classroom. Some children may also have extra visits, social stories or a transition book. These arrangements support understanding of the change; they do not alter admission rights.

Nursery enquiries go to the school office on 01727 519221 or admin@fleetvilleinfants.herts.sch.uk. For entry during September 2026 to July 2027, families can complete an in-year nursery application and contact the office, subject to space.

Clothing choices include navy shorts, leggings or joggers, a sky blue polo and a navy cardigan, sweatshirt or fleece. Shoes should be comfortable and manageable by the child, including plain trainers. Bring labelled spare clothes, a hooded waterproof coat and a water bottle containing only water. These choices put everyday independence and changes of clothing into the practical preparation for nursery.