Martins Wood Primary School Nursery Review

Purpose-built rooms, outdoor play and a teacher-led nursery give Martins Wood’s youngest children a distinct starting point within the school. Saplings Pre-School welcomes children from the term following their second birthday; the next stage is the nursery, which children join in September before their Reception year. Together, the provision serves children aged two to four.

Saplings has an outdoor space of its own. The nursery has its own outdoor area too, plus use of a bigger play space alongside other early years children. These are practical features for families who want outdoor learning to be part of the ordinary day. In December 2025, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision to meet the Expected standard, including its nursery and pre-school within that inspection.

Play and adult-directed learning share the day. The Early Years Foundation Stage covers seven connected areas, bringing together communication, physical skills, relationships, literacy, maths, understanding the world and creative expression. Children choose activities indoors and outdoors, while adults also organise teaching. That gives children room to pursue an interest alongside planned learning.

Language gets sustained attention. Adults build conversations around children’s interests, introduce vocabulary and help them expand what they say. Daily reading includes poems and non-fiction as well as stories. Nursery children begin Little Wandle through rhymes, listening activities and games that combine spoken sounds, preparing the foundations for reading.

Busy fingers activities develop control of hands and fingers, with small tools helping children prepare for writing. Nursery children experiment with different tools for making marks and learn to attach meaning to them. Physical learning also includes child-chosen activity and adult-led PE; maths encourages children to notice patterns and discuss numbers. Creative work happens daily through both independent choices and adult teaching.

The December 2025 early years findings give these activities substance: outdoor learning matched children’s developmental stages, adults extended learning through conversation, and children exchanged ideas during imaginative play and construction. Learning to concentrate, take turns and do things independently matters alongside the early reading and number work.

Settling includes getting used to routines and learning. In December 2025, early years children settled promptly into both. Everyday independence has concrete tasks: caring for equipment, clearing away and managing their own coats. These small responsibilities let children practise doing more for themselves.

Teaching is adapted to children’s needs, including special educational needs and/or disabilities. The December 2025 early years findings judged activities to meet those needs well. Families can contact the inclusion team through the school office or at inclusion@martinswood.herts.sch.uk.

Tapestry carries early years home activities and lets families share children’s experiences from home. ParentMail handles messages, forms and consultation bookings, giving parents separate routes for learning updates and everyday administration.

Lunch is included within the longer nursery session: parents can send a packed lunch or buy a school meal. Meals are cooked in the school kitchen and eaten in the dining room. Ask the school for current meal charges.

Separate application. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal Reception process, via Hertfordshire County Council, by the deadline for their child’s intake. Treat choosing nursery and applying for school as separate decisions.

The early years curriculum builds learning progressively from age two. That provides continuity in children’s learning, while the Reception application remains a separate step.

Teacher-led nursery places have two patterns: 15 hours in morning sessions or a 30-hour longer-day option. The morning runs from 8:45am to 11:45am. The longer option includes lunch and finishes at noon on Friday, an important distinction when arranging childcare around work.

All three- and four-year-olds qualify for the 15-hour entitlement; eligible working families may qualify for 30 hours, provided over 38 weeks. Saplings also offers funded places for eligible families.

Nursery applications go directly to the school. Places are allocated as applications arrive, with a reserve list once places are filled. Contact the office on 01438 222602 or admin@martinswood.herts.sch.uk to arrange a Saplings visit or get help with an application.