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Nursery at Heathlands 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Learning to communicate gives Heathlands’ nursery its distinctive purpose. This is early education within a specialist school for deaf children in St Albans, where provision begins at age three. British Sign Language (BSL) is part of the school’s Total Communication approach, alongside spoken English and Sign Supported English. For families, the central question is how that combination matches their child’s communication needs.
Heathlands is maintained by Hertfordshire County Council. Pupils have Education and Health Care plans specifying sign language for communication or access to learning. The nursery belongs to this specialist school setting, rather than being a separate general childcare offer.
Communication and early literacy are closely connected here. In February 2023, children in the early years learned routines rapidly and developed effective BSL communication, including children starting with little or no language. Fingerspelling and visual phonics helped them tackle reading and spelling. These give children visual ways to work with words as their language develops.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is tracked through individual learning journals. Staff record each child’s progress and identify what to work on next, making the learning sequence personal rather than treating everyone’s starting point as the same. In February 2023, early years children also developed independence and became better able to choose positively for themselves.
The physical setting supports access to sound as well as signing. Classrooms across the school were designed for deaf learners, with acoustic planning and surfaces that absorb sound. Teaching spaces meet BB93 standards. Depending on a child’s hearing technology and needs, classroom equipment includes Roger Touchscreen transmitters, EduMic or Audio Links. That makes the listening environment a practical part of the school’s communication approach.
Weekly sign and play sessions connected early years learning with families in February 2023. Children shared what they had been doing, giving parents a way to participate in their developing communication. Heathlands also offers help with parents’ BSL skills through its BSL Centre; a child’s teacher can make the connection.
Teachers of the Deaf form part of the teaching team. For children with needs alongside deafness, the school uses the term Deaf Plus and aims to make learning accessible on an equal basis. A SENCo and deputy SENCo oversee SEN arrangements. Parents can request a teacher meeting whenever they need one, alongside autumn and spring consultations and summer Education Health and Care Plan reviews.
School lunches include provision for nursery children, who may qualify for Free School Meals. Herts Catering provides an allergy menu when needed, with an online application required before the child starts school lunches. Families should contact the school for current meal charges.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Treat the next placement as a separate decision to resolve with your child’s local authority. Heathlands applications usually go through that authority: parents discuss their preference locally, and the authority then applies to Hertfordshire County Council. This specialist placement route matters when planning the next stage.
Enquiries can go to admin@heathlands.herts.sch.uk, by telephone on 01727 807807 or by text on 07860 004370. Parent and carer visits are welcomed. SignWow provides access to sign language interpreters for contact with the school, giving families another communication option.
Heathlands accepts children from age three and includes nursery provision.
The school’s Total Communication approach combines BSL, spoken English and Sign Supported English. In February 2023, early years children used fingerspelling and visual phonics to support reading and spelling.
In February 2023, early years children shared their learning with families through weekly sign and play sessions. Parents can also request a meeting with their child’s teacher.
Herts Catering supplies a special menu for children with food allergies. Parents must complete the online allergy application before their child begins having school lunches. Nursery children may qualify for Free School Meals.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Discuss the next placement with your child’s local authority; Heathlands applications usually follow that authority’s specialist placement route.
