The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Jenyns First School and Nursery
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Wellies belong to the uniform here, and the outdoor classroom includes a mud kitchen, digging pit and two sheds for role play. That gives Jenyns nursery a practical, outdoors-focused character. In Braughing, children join from three in September, in the school year in which they turn four. Nursery shares Ash Class with Reception, placing the youngest children within the school's early years provision.
Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 26 and 27 November 2024. This judgement covers the school's early years, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Play takes up most of the day, with children choosing their own explorations and adults extending their thinking through questions. Focused teaching sits alongside this freedom. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning about language, movement and relationships with early reading, number, creativity and discovering the world. For parents, that means play and taught activities work towards the same developing skills.
Busy Fingers starts each morning with activities for hand control and strength, preparing children for writing. Stories are sung, shared and acted out; counting, sorting and shapes enter activities indoors and outside. In November 2024, nursery children used rhyme to prepare for phonics. Across early years, children were becoming surer at counting and learning to help one another.
A spacious, open classroom connects through double doors to outdoor space surrounding it. Construction toys and places for books, writing and craft extend the choices beyond messy play. Children learn to change into wellies themselves, making outdoor access part of practising independence.
Weekly Forest School sessions bring early years children into the wooded area. Making shelters, carrying logs and exploring natural materials give them physical tasks and opportunities to make choices. Ash Class activities in November and December 2025 included launching rockets, baking rock buns during a space topic and measuring rainfall with rain gauges. These turn a theme into things children can make, test and discuss.
Curriculum challenge. In November 2024, school-wide weaknesses included insufficiently precise teaching of some knowledge and vocabulary, and work that was sometimes too easy. These concerns applied across the school; they warrant attention alongside the positive early years findings.
At least two adults support the early years learning space throughout the day. Their role includes questioning and encouragement during children's play. Learning journals give families a record of progress, while Friday activity suggestions on Tapestry offer a practical link between learning here and at home.
Lunch can be a packed meal or a hot meal from Herts Catering Limited for children attending 30 hours. The lunch period lasts 30 minutes. Fruit snacks come mid-morning and mid-afternoon, with water or milk as needed. Packed lunches must exclude nuts and products containing them.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school describes support through adjustments to the curriculum and improved access to education and information for families. The SEND team can be contacted at senco@jenyns.herts.sch.uk.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by its normal deadline.
Sharing Ash Class means nursery children already use the early years classroom alongside Reception children. That is continuity in their daily surroundings, rather than an admissions advantage.
Mornings run from 8:45am to 11:45am, with collection at 11:55am. Families can extend to 1pm for lunch or to 3:20pm for a full day. The 15-hour funded pattern uses five mornings for children turning four during the school year; eligible families can use 30-hour funding towards extended hours.
Bookings can cover fewer than five days, although the nursery encourages a consistent routine. Extended sessions and school lunches can carry charges: contact the office for current charges and availability. Uniform includes a royal blue jumper or cardigan, grey bottoms and a white polo shirt, plus wellies for outdoor learning.
Private tours are bookable through the school office on 01920 821461 or at admin@jenyns.herts.sch.uk.
Children normally start in September from age three, during the school year in which they turn four.
Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am, with collection at 11:55am. Lunch extensions finish at 1pm and full days at 3:20pm.
Yes. The early years classroom has surrounding outdoor space with a mud kitchen, digging pit and role play sheds. Early years children also have weekly Forest School sessions.
Yes. Families can book a lunch extension. Children attending 30 hours can have a hot lunch from Herts Catering Limited or bring a packed lunch. School lunch charges apply, and packed lunches must exclude nut products.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process by its normal deadline.
