Knebworth Primary and Nursery School has been a cornerstone of village life for over a century, inspiring generations of young minds to learn, grow and thrive.

At Knebworth Nursery, every child is welcomed into a warm, safe and nurturing environment where curiosity is encouraged and individuality is celebrated.  Here, children blossom into confident, creative and independent learners, building strong foundations for their future.

We are immensely proud of our nursery provision, offering both 15 and 30 hours to support families while ensuring every child receives the very best start to their educational journey.

Why is our school nursery right for your child?

While your 15 or 30 hours of free childcare can be accessed through a variety of providers, a school nursery offers something truly magical — a strong, seamless start to your child’s educational journey.   We are also proud to be able to offer the following: 

• A qualified class teacher works with the children every day, supported by a caring and experienced staff team.
• A smooth, confident transition into Reception, with children already familiar with the school, routines and staff.
• Access to the wide-ranging expertise of the whole school, including support for Special Educational Needs, Speech and Language, and emotional wellbeing.
• Enriching opportunities in music, sport and other areas that help every child discover their strengths and interests.
• A strong sense of belonging through involvement in the wider school community, including events such as sports days and school fêtes.
• The comfort and convenience of attending the same school as older siblings, helping children feel secure and connected.

 

15 Hours Early Years Education Offer at Knebworth

Every 3 and 4-year-old is entitled to 15 hours of free early years education for 38 weeks of the year.   At our nursery, this is offered as five morning sessions each week, providing a consistent and engaging start to your child’s learning journey.   We do ask that all children attend for a minimum of 15 hours, ensuring they benefit fully from the rich experiences and opportunities we provide.

Up to 30 Hours of Early Years Education at Knebworth

Some 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to up to 30 hours of free early years education for 38 weeks of the year, offering even greater flexibility for families.  For those who are not eligible, additional hours can be booked at a cost of £5.00 per hour.  We also accept Childcare Vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare payments, helping to make extended provision more accessible.

If you would like your child to attend for more than 15 hours, we kindly ask that you inform the school before the start of each new half-term, confirming your preferred days and hours.  This allows us to plan carefully and ensure the best possible experience for every child.

Funding (15 and 30 hours) – what are you entitled to?

All nursery-aged children are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare.

Your child may be eligible for up to 30 hours of free childcare if you (and your partner, if you have one) earn at least £183 per week (equivalent to 16 hours at the National Minimum Wage) and less than £100,000 per year.  Families receiving certain benefits may also qualify. For more information and to check your eligibility, please visit Childcare Choices. 

If you are entitled to 30 hours free childcare, you can choose to use all of it or a proportion of it (although there does need to be a regular pattern).  It is not unusual for parents to choose for their children to increase their hours as the year goes on in preparation for beginning reception.

If your child is not entitled to 30 hours, you can still choose to pay for your child to attend for additional hours each week.  This would be until the end of the day.  The cost is £5.00 per hour (£15 for the whole afternoon).

 

Wraparound Care

Knebbers Crew is our dedicated wraparound care provision, offering a safe, welcoming and engaging environment both before and after the school day.  A limited number of places are available for our nursery children, providing families with additional flexibility and the reassurance that their child is cared for within a familiar and supportive setting.

Chargeable Extras

Description	Cost
Free entitlement hours – 15 or 30 hours per week depending on entitlement	Free
Additional hours purchased – for those only entitled to 15 hours per week	£5.00 per hour
School Lunches – for those staying for the afternoon . These are purchased through the catering company – HCL.	£2.61 per meal

If your child requires any additional personal consumables, such as nappies, we kindly ask parents to provide these.  All other day-to-day resources and materials that support your child’s learning and development are provided by the school, ensuring every child can fully engage in our rich and stimulating environment.

The Admissions Process

Nursery admissions are managed directly by the school.  Our admissions policy, along with the application form, can be found below. If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact us—we are always happy to help and guide you through the process.

Visit Us! 

We would be delighted to welcome you into our nursery and share what makes it such a magical place to begin a child’s educational journey.  From January through to March, we host visits where you can explore our setting, experience the warm atmosphere, and ask any questions you may have.

If you are considering a place at any other time of year, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our school office on 01438 812184 or admin@knebworth.herts.sch.uk.  We would be more than happy to arrange a personal tour and give you a true feel for the nurturing environment we are so proud of.