Letchmore Infants' and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Hedgehog shelters, treasure hunts and stories give Letchmore's nursery a practical, imaginative character. Children have made shelters to keep hedgehogs warm and dry, while a pirate sports day brought digging, fishing for treasure and climbing an A frame into their learning. These are concrete examples of making, moving and exploring.

The nursery occupies a purpose-built unit at the school on Letchmore Road in Stevenage. Children join in September after their third birthday. There are 72 nursery places, divided into 36 morning and 36 afternoon places; the groups are Hummingbird for mornings, Sparrow for afternoons and Woodpecker for the 30-hour provision. Ofsted judged early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 16 and 17 July 2024, a judgement covering the school's early years rather than a separate nursery inspection.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning to communicate, managing feelings, physical development and early literacy and maths with creative work and understanding the world. For parents, that means the curriculum reaches beyond letters and numbers: making things, talking and learning to work alongside other children matter too.

Stories have a clear purpose. In July 2024, early years children joined in with stories that developed their communication and language. Nursery children explored letters and sounds, made marks and practised the movements needed for writing. The emphasis gives early writing a physical as well as a language foundation.

Practical activities add texture to that curriculum. Making hedgehog shelters introduced a task with two requirements: warmth and protection from water. At the pirate sports day, children hunted for treasure and tackled the A frame, giving movement an imaginative setting. The nursery's Pudsey PE session also linked physical activity with learning about emotions and caring for others. These examples show how making, movement and social learning can share an activity.

Consistent routines helped early years children understand expectations in July 2024. That predictability matters when a child is learning how a group session works. Before starting, families complete an All About Your Child form alongside pupil information and a parent declaration, giving them a route to share information about their child.

Parents have also joined a Nursery Stay and Play Session, playing with their children and seeing the nursery together. Weekly nursery newsletters keep families connected with learning. For additional support, the first conversation is with the class teacher, who can involve the Head of Inclusion and SENCo. An Early Years SENCo role provides a specific point of responsibility for this age group.

Children attending the 30-hour provision may bring a packed lunch or order a school meal through School Grid. Lunch is cooked daily in the school kitchen, with Hertfordshire Catering Limited supplying the catering service. Special menus for allergies or intolerances depend on meeting the qualifying criteria and providing medical evidence. Fruit snacks are free, while school lunches are charged separately.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through Hertfordshire County Council's online admissions route, and the council allocates places. Keep that application distinct from joining the nursery.

For the application cycle with a January 2026 deadline, applications were due by 15 January 2026. That deadline has passed. Main-school teachers have shared stories with nursery children during Letchmore Book Week, providing contact with adults beyond the nursery; this is a learning connection, not an admissions advantage.

Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am, afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, and the 30-hour day from 9.00am to 3.00pm. Funded provision comprises 15 hours weekly, or 30 hours weekly under the working families entitlement. Working families can request an additional half-hour before or after the 30-hour day, subject to availability and purchased by half-term. Arbor handles agreement and payment for additional sessions; contact the school for current charges.

Longer childcare days. Premier Education's breakfast and after-school clubs currently exclude nursery children. Families needing care beyond nursery hours should factor that restriction into their plans.

Nursery enquiries go to nurseryadmissions@letchmore.herts.sch.uk. Visits can be arranged by contacting the school. Children need a named bottle containing water, and uniform includes a royal blue cardigan or sweatshirt, a white or royal blue polo shirt and grey bottoms. Wellington boots stay at school.