The Leys Primary and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Fred the bear goes home for weekends, cooking happens each week, and the school meadow brings outdoor exploration into early learning. These are distinctive parts of nursery life at The Leys Primary and Nursery School on Ripon Road in Stevenage. Play, conversation and practical experiences give children several ways to join in.

The nursery has 60 places and accepts children from the term after their third birthday. It sits within the primary school, with its own nursery provision rather than a separate childcare setting. At the Ofsted inspection on 5 and 6 March 2024, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separate nursery inspection.

Learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the framework for children from birth to five. Here, that means planned play, group activities and teaching together as a class, with staff responding to children's interests as activities unfold. The school's Early Years Building Blocks give this a practical direction: exploring experiences, holding conversations, recognising feelings, tackling problems and caring for others.

Language gets several specific forms of attention. A nursery rhyme changes each week, while Show & Tell gives children something of their own to talk about. Experiences from home are shared through WOW moments, with classmates asking questions. Daily Busy Fingers activities practise coordination and the small hand movements children need for later tasks.

Music also belongs to play. Children experiment with sounds, copy and invent patterns, and sing rhymes together. Weekly cooking introduces healthy living through something children can do themselves. The Nursery Library and weekends with Fred the bear add further links between nursery activities and home.

Indoors and outdoors both feature in planned learning. Visits to local parks and the school's meadow extend exploration beyond the classroom; a Calm Area contains toys children can use when they need a quieter activity. In March 2024, early years children explored measurement by discussing a worm's changing length. It is a concrete example of talk and mathematical thinking working together. Learning alongside other children also helped develop social skills.

In March 2024, children in early years became familiar with school routines quickly. For children needing help with language, Nursery uses Early Talk Boost, while the Wellcomm Toolkit helps identify language needs and guide additional support. Makaton provides another way to support communication, including for children with SEND.

The school's SEND approach uses Assess, Plan, Do, Review, with parents involved in planning support and checking progress. Adaptations and specialist involvement can be used according to a child's needs. This gives families a role in decisions about support, rather than leaving those decisions solely to staff.

Nursery staffing includes an early years practitioner, teaching and learning support, and SEN learning support. Families also have parent workshops covering communication, fine motor skills, early number learning and healthy living, alongside toilet-training resources. Children staying for lunch bring a packed lunch, so families provide the food for that part of the day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application, including when their child already attends The Leys nursery. Reception applications are made online through Hertfordshire County Council. Treat this as a separate decision and apply through the normal admissions process by the deadline for your child's entry year.

Morning sessions run Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 11:45am. Afternoon sessions are also offered within the 15-hour model. For eligible families, 30-hour attendance runs Monday to Friday from 8:45am to 2:45pm, subject to availability and eligibility. Funding for three-year-olds starts from the term after their third birthday.

Families who do not qualify for the 30-hour entitlement can pay to add lunch club, 11:45am to 12:45pm, or extend attendance from 11:45am to 2:45pm. These additions require advance payment and booking for half a term. Ask the school for current charges.

Individual family tours can be arranged at a mutually convenient time. For enquiries, tour arrangements or a nursery application, contact the school on 01438 314148 or email admin@leys.herts.sch.uk. Nursery applications go directly to the school.