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Tonight a wonderful mummy came in to read a story to the Yorkies children. They all enjoyed it very much and are excited for the next parent story time📖

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The Yorkie children have been hard at working together to build and shape. They have also enjoyed colouring in some mindful colouring sheets

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There have been some delicious changes made to the menu. Please take a look

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The children have been enjoying playing in our new colour changing water tray. They have been busy filling, pouring and and just having a great time splashing alongside their friends during exploring time.

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Since returning from their Christmas break, the children have settled well and are having so much fun

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Holiday club bookings are now being taken

Be quick so you don't miss out on the fun

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Pink and White Simple Hello February Double-Sided Poster A3 Portrait

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Big Schools’ Birdwatch is back for 2026! York Road is joining thousands of other schools to find out which birds visit your school grounds and local areas. Together, we can make it count. If you would like to take part in this event we have included a picture sheet to count the birds in your garden. You can then sign up on the RSPB website and submit your findings! https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening

This is just something extra that your family might want to take part in. Let your Key Teacher know if you did take part and what birds were found in your garden.

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Come join us for another York Road Nursery School's Cinema experience.

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Family Movie Night Flyer - Made with PosterMyWall

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There have been slight changes made to the Yorkies menu.

All the food is still delicious

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In case you missed the Hitchin Tree Festival here is our tree. We had the theme of "Holding hands, nurturing minds" this year. The children did some amazing hand decorations. It was lovely to hear that so many families visited the church to see the Christmas Tree festival. Thank you for your support!

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Today we were fortunate to have the Year 6 pupils from Wilshere Dacre come and explore the Nursery with the York Road children as part of Wilshere Dacre's Feel Good Week. The Year 6 pupils played, read and interacted with the children during their exploring time before heading back to their school. The York Road children loved having them here and enjoyed all the stories and fun!

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The Yorkie children have been busy getting ready for Christmas 🎄

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The children have been making beautiful firework paintings to celebrate Bonfire night!

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We had a wonderful half term at our Holiday club!

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Diwali celebrations

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Dear York Road Families,

I am writing to share our commitment to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision at York Road Nursery School, a core aspect of our educational philosophy that defines our approach to supporting every child's unique learning journey.

At York Road, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and forward-thinking setting where every child is valued and supported. Our dedicated staff team brings extensive experience across a wide range of developmental needs, enabling us to create tailored curricula that truly meet individual children's requirements. We understand that early identification is crucial, and our practitioners are highly skilled at recognising and responding to additional support needs with sensitivity and expertise.

Our approach to SEND is comprehensive and compassionate. We believe in working closely with families, recognising that you are the experts in understanding your child. Through collaborative partnerships, we develop personalised strategies that support each child's learning and development, ensuring they can thrive in a nurturing and understanding environment.

Every member of our team is professionally trained and continuously develops their skills to provide the most effective support possible. We see diversity as a strength and are committed to creating an environment where all children feel welcomed, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential.

If you would like to discuss our SEND provision further, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to provide more information and demonstrate our approach.

Please enjoy reading through our SEND Padlet and let us know if you feel like we have missed out on anything that you would find useful.

Warmest regards,

Ms Melissa Jeeves

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York Road is extremely lucky to work with such a wonderful Health Visiting Team in Hitchin. If you are working with a Health Visitor regarding any SEND queries, medical needs or toileting please let your health visitor know that your child attends York Road Nursery.

With your permission, we can work with the Health Visiting team so that we can work together in supporting your child to the fullest.

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Family Centre Service (Family Centres and Health Visitors)

Health Visitors support you during and after pregnancy, until your child is 5 years old. They provide information and advice, as well as acting as your advocate. This can include supporting you through the process of diagnosis, discussing developmental concerns, sleep, diet and toilet training. They can also help you get support from other services and organisations you might need. Learn more about Health visitors in Hertfordshire.

There are a number of ways you can contact the Health Visiting Service:

You can call 0300 123 7572 every day, 9am - 5pm, to speak to a Health Visitor for any advice or information you need.

You can refer into our Family Centre Service online

Text Chat Health - a texting service for parents of children aged 0 - 5 - 07480 635 164, Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.

The Family Support Service supports families, parents, and carers from before your baby is born right up until they reach the age of 11. They offer parenting support courses, breastfeeding support, first aid courses, and lots more. You can find your nearest Family Centre here.

The Family Support SEND Champions support families who have children with SEND by providing information, advice, guidance and a listening ear. They link in with specialist services and partners to signpost families to the right support. There are also groups you can attend to meet other families and receive tailored support for you and your child. Find your nearest Family Centre or get in touch with them on the Family Centres website.

Developed in partnership with Health, Family Support and Herts Parent Carer Involvement, Hertfordshire's early years flowchart can tell you which professionals you may come into contact with if you are the parent of a child under 5 with an identified need or a new diagnosis. It can give you an overview of contact points, and links to more information. Download the Early Years SEND Offer flowchart here.

What kind of support can I get for my child under 5?

The experiences of families of young children with SEND will vary, and the type of support parents might need will depend on the child's needs and the individual circumstances of the families. Some families will find the help and support they need by connecting with other parents of children with SEND, some will want to know about education options for their child, others might need help financially as their work is impacted. You can find out more about different types of support you can access here:

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Health Visitors support you during and after pregnancy, until your child is 5 years old. They provide information and advice, as well as acting as your advocate. This can include supporting you through the process of diagnosis, discussing developmental concerns, sleep, diet and toilet training.

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This is a list of services offered by Hertfordshire that support families both diagnosed and in the investigation stages of diagnosing with a Neurodiversity.

If you would like to chat further about any of services please do reach out to a member of staff.

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In Hertfordshire Speech and Language support is done through a self-referral system. This is the link for parents to refer their child for Speech and Language support.

Please read their guidance https://www.hct.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n878 and have a chat with Mrs Jeeves and your child's class teacher if you feel like this might be something you need to explore further.

Also it is worth pointing out that the Health Visiting team is also about to help with any concerns you may have.

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Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:

is under 16

has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability

They will need to meet all the eligibility requirements.

The DLA rate is between £29.20 and £187.45 a week and depends on the level of help the child needs.

You DO NOT need to have a diagnosis but you do need to prove that your child has needs above and beyond those of their peers. You can apply for DLA if you are in the process of exploring diagnosing or receiving treatments. This money is to support the child. Many families use this to pay for private Speech and Language sessions, private swimming lessons, purchasing specific SEND resources, helping recoup the extra expenses for specific foods, clothing, nappies beyond the toilet training ages, etc.

If you need support filling in the application or want to see if you might be eligible please reach out to Mrs Jeeves, SENDCO and she can help talk you through the process.

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We use cookies to collect information about how you use GOV.UK. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve government services.

Use this claim form to apply for DLA for children under 16.

Documents

Details

There is something wrong with this page

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Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children claim form

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We use cookies to collect information about how you use GOV.UK. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve government services. Use this claim form to apply for DLA for children under 16. Details There is something wrong with this page

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Many parents and carers of a child or young person with SEND, face physical, practical and emotional challenges everyday. With this in mind, we worked with a parent to provide advice and guidance on the different services and practical steps you can take to look after your mental health. York Road staff are always here to listen and work with you to find support for you and your family. Please contact any member of staff if you feel that this is something that you might need.

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Mental health and wellbeing support for parents and carers

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This webpage provides practical advice and guidance for parents and carers about their mental health and wellbeing.

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Financial Support for children with SEND

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Financial Support for children with SEND

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Balancing work and caring commitments can sometimes feel like an impossible task for parents of children and young people with SEND. We know it's stressful, and money shouldn’t be a worry on top of everything else. There are funding options out there to help support your family financially. If you find yourself in this situation please reach out to a member of staff and we can arrange to meet and discuss the different avenues that you may not be aware of. Please also note there is a food bank (small cupboard) on site between the front 2 gates that is open 24 hrs a day 7 days a week.

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Balancing work and caring commitments can sometimes feel like an impossible task for parents of children and young people with SEND. We know it's stressful, and money shouldn't be a worry on top of everything else. There are funding options out there to help support your family financially.

Funding you can apply for yourself

If you are pregnant or have child under 4 years old, and get certain benefits, you could get help to buy healthy food and milk for you and your family.

A tax free amount of money for some disabled children which can help with the extra costs of looking after a child (under 16).

Extra money to help you with everyday life if you have an illness, disability or mental health condition.

If you already get disability living allowance or personal independence payments, you may be able to get carer's allowance too.

If your child has an EHCP, social care or health plan, you can ask for a personal budget, to provide more personalised support.

You might be able to get a grant for a disabled or seriously ill child or young person.

Income support can help to cover your costs if you are of working age, have a low income and look after a disabled child or young person. However, income support is being replaced by universal credit by the end of 2024/25. Some carers may still be getting it until then but will be invited by DWP to 'migrate' to Universal Credit instead.

Universal credit for working age people can help to replace or top-up your other income, including help with living costs, rent, costs of children (including an extra amount for children with disabilities), ill-health and caring.

Whilst you are still getting tax credits, before migrating to Universal Credit, there are extra payments of child tax credit if your child gets DLA or PIP.

If you, or you and your partner, are 66 or over, you might be due pension credit to top-up your retirement pension. If you are caring for a dependent child, such as a grandchild, pension credit includes an extra amount, and a further payment if the child gets DLA or PIP.

Rights and decision making

Find out more information about managing somebody else's finances, wills, inheritance and and the support services available to you on our Rights and decision making webpage.

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There are a number of ways you can get extra funding to support a children or young person with special needs and disabilities.

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The Hertfordshire Additional Needs Database is part of the "Local Offer". By signing up to the database you are stating that your child is exploring the path of having additional needs or has been diagnosed with additional needs. Once you have signed up you will be given a card to screen shot or print off that can be used around the UK and sometimes even abroad for different types of discounts. Sometimes it will get an adult in for free other places it might get an adult in for a discounted rate depending on the policy of the place you are trying to use it at. It is free of charge and definitely something to have in your wallet when out and about with the family.

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Under the Children Act 1989, we are required to keep a register of disabled children and young people. It's your choice if you want to register, and you don't need to be in our database to access our support and services.
The database helps us to:
When you sign up, we'll ask you to tell us:

Your name, contact details and address

Your child's name, gender and date of birth

Your child's NHS number

Information about your child's disability

We won't share any of this information - it's completely confidential.

The digital card, which you view on your phone or tablet, gives you perks and discounts to lots of places for family days out in Hertfordshire. Different places offer different things - for example, some places allow you to 'jump the queue', and others will have reduced entry rates.

The SEND newsletter provides you with the latest from SEND services, and fills you in on what's going on in the county - including activities, support groups and courses for parents.

If you don't want to join the register, but you do want to receive the newsletter, you can subscribe to SEND news.

Through our SEND newsletter you'll hear about consultations and opportunities to feedback on services, so that we can use what you tell us to make improvements.

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Under the Children Act 1989, we are required to keep a register of disabled children and young people. It's your choice if you want to register, and you don't need to be in our database to access our support and services.

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We are just setting up our 2025/2026 Eco-Council. Last year our amazingly successful Eco-Council last year obtained the Eco-Schools Green Flag Accreditation with Distinction! It's amazing what we can achieve in Nursery and how we can begin to teach vital skills to empower children to look after our planet!

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Our new Scholastic Book Club is up and running! Go to https://schools.scholastic.co.uk/york-road/digital-book-club to browse the latest books and order online. For every £1 you spend on this month’s Book Club, our school will earn 20p in Scholastic Rewards. Please place your order online by November 3rd, 2025. Orders will arrive shortly after the closing date to school. 

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On sale now!

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Please see our SEND Information Report

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YORK ROAD SEND INFORMATION REPORT 2024 ammended

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The Local Offer lets parents and young people know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them. Please follow the link for more information.

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The SEND Local Offer lets parents and young people know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them.

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Treasure and making marks in the sand tray

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The children have been very keen to find treasure in the sand inside/outside sand pit and mud kitchen (although in the mud kitchen the treasure turned out to be wiggly worms!)

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Circle shape arrangements with the loose parts

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To start our nursery year, we have been exploring all the areas in our group times. The children have been finding out what is in each room and how to play with it. Each room has an Early Years Curriculum theme for example; Hedgehogs is Art and Design, Owls is maths etc. Similar resources from each area can be found outside. The children have been taught how to take care of our resources too. They are now beginning to know where to go at exploring time to follow their own interests.

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My name is Lisa and I am the manager of Yorkies day care. My fantastic team are here to provide a warm fun environment for the children with breakfast, after school club and holiday clubs.

We work alongside York Road nursery school promoting learning through play.

Holidays clubs are especially exciting with lots of themed activities. Booking for holiday club sessions is easy via magic bookings.

We look forward to having a wonderful time together

Best Wishes

Lisa Fox

Manager

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Thursday 25th September 9am- please bring donations of cake.

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Thursday 25th September 9am- please bring donations of cake.

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Come and join us in raising awareness and money for this amazing charity.

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York Road Nursery School is now a Green Flag Eco-School with Distinction! 

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What a brilliant year our Eco-Council had last year. We were successful in our application to become an Eco-School and even obtained the extra distinction for all of our hard work. Our new Eco-Council will be selected in the Autumn Term and will have a lot of things to announce to the wider community over the year so please keep checking back here for updates! If you are interested in helping or have a passion for teaching children about planting, composting, recycling etc please do reach out to Ms Jeeves (Rabbits).

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Support Staff in Hedgehogs, Rabbits, Barn Owls and Ladybirds: Ms Singh, Miss Cox, Miss Stevens, Mrs Pike

Support Staff in Robins, Otters and Squirrels: Ms Islam, Mrs Wilding, Ms Iqbal, Ms Hayward

Support Staff in Badgers and Foxes: Mrs Prowse, Miss Hartley and Miss Brown

HLTA: Mrs Begum

Forest School Lead: Mrs McAllister

Transition Co-Ordinator: Mrs Parker

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Mrs Cotterill, Deputy Head Teacher- Robin Class

Mrs Szanto, Key Teacher- Squirrel Class

Mrs Dunkley, Key Teacher- Hedgehog Class

Mrs Yarwood Key Teacher- Ladybird Class Ms Jeeves, Class Teacher and SENDCO- Rabbit Class

Mrs Unalkat, Key Teacher- Barn Owl Class

Mrs Metson, Key Teacher- Otter Class

Mrs Body, Key Teacher- Badger Class

Mrs Lincoln, Key Teacher- Foxes Class

HLTA: Mrs Begum

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Mrs Lidder and Mrs Mitchell are our Office Managers.

Miss Jarvis is our Premises Co-ordinator.

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Welcome from the Head Teacher, Mrs Robinson

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Welcome from the Head Teacher, Mrs Robinson

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It is my pleasure to welcome you to York Road Nursery School, a nurturing and inspiring early years setting where every child is encouraged to explore, imagine and thrive.

At York Road, we pride ourselves on being a fully inclusive maintained nursery school for children aged 2-5 with a long-standing reputation for excellence in early childhood education. Our dedicated and highly skilled staff create a safe, welcoming, and stimulating environment where children learn through purposeful play and discovery. With thoughtfully designed classrooms and a beautiful, spacious garden, children are free to flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, following their interests and engaging in rich, meaningful experiences.

Our vision is simple yet powerful: To create an environment where every child is curious, excited to explore, and inspired to learn. We believe that children learn best when they feel happy, valued, and understood—and at York Road, we work tirelessly to ensure every child experiences just that.

Kindness, curiosity, and resilience are at the heart of everything we do. These values guide our daily practice, helping children to build strong relationships, ask questions, solve problems, and grow in confidence and independence. We celebrate each child as an individual and are committed to fostering a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

Our partnership with parents and the wider community is vital. Together, we support each child’s development in a way that is collaborative, inclusive, and deeply rooted in mutual respect. Whether it’s through creative play, outdoor adventures, or quiet moments of reflection, we are here to ensure every child feels a sense of belonging and joy in their learning journey.

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about our wonderful school. We warmly invite you to come and see York Road Nursery School in action- you will find a place where children flourish, friendships grow, and learning is filled with wonder.

Warm regards,

Antonia Robinson

Head Teacher

York Road Nursery School