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While there are lots of nurseries in Hertfordshire – from standalone enterprises and those attached to private schools to state school nurseries and national chains – the best have waiting lists of anything up to and over a year. While there are those with places readily available, we always recommend getting your application in early. Also see our article on Choosing a Nursery.
Nurseries in Bishop’s Stortford
The popular Blues Preschool and Nursery was established by a small group of mothers back in the 1970s and now has nearly 50 children and eight staff. Sycamore House Day Nursery is known for its ‘curiosity approach’ to development and has a lovely outside area. For a Montessori option, Apple Green Montessori Preschool is the local favourite.
Private schools with nurseries include St Edmund’s College, where French, swimming, music and dance are on the nursery curriculum, and Howe Green House School, which stands out for its rural location.
Be warned, some nurseries told us they can’t take anyone else for over two years – in complete contrast to others who had places available straightaway.
Nurseries in Harpenden
Now on bigger premises, Noah’s Ark Preschool has impressive imaginative play areas and there’s a great virtual tour on the website. Highfield Preschool is a Christian-run, affordable option that’s popular among locals, while Batford Nursery School and Daycare is true to its word of taking littluns’ ‘boundless energy and big dreams’ seriously. For outdoorsy types Fingertips Creative Arts Preschool and Forest School is a family run nursery based on two sites. St Hilda’s School is the local private school offering, which runs a fun-filled nursery. Three months tends to be the longest wait.
Nurseries in Radlett
Christchurch Nursery is one of the oldest in Radlett, dating back to the 1960s. Located in a carpeted church hall, it also has a pleasant garden. Among the popular chains is First Place Nurseries on the outskirts of town – a particularly spacious offering. Little Acorns Montessori School in Bushey is popular. Waiting lists in most cases – usually over three months.
Among the private schools with nurseries is Edge Grove School where there are 40 places. Aldenham Prep School’s nursery stands out for its grounds, flexibility of hours and lovely staff – and they get to learn French straightaway. Parents also rate the nursery at St Margaret’s Junior School – a place for real discovery and fun, we heard. Waiting lists are longer for these – usually over six months, sometimes more.
Nurseries in Rickmansworth
Rickmansworth Nursery School has been a firm local favourite for nearly 30 years. Located just outside the town centre, it overlooks the playing fields and Chess valley. Rickmansworth has two Daybreak Nurseries – we recommend the one in the town centre, with recently refurbished premises. In Chorleywood, Hillside Community Preschool provides a stimulating environment. And because most of the children go on to one of the three Chorleywood primaries, they and their parents get to move up together.
There are multiple school nursery options, especially for girls. At Royal Masonic School Cadogan House, most girls join the nursery at 3+ for automatic entry into reception; ditto at Charlotte House Preparatory School for Girls, where tiny tots love mixing with the older girls.
A mixed bag in terms of waiting lists – anything from a month to over a year.
Nurseries near St Albans
Brock House Nursery and Day Care has a central location and lots of flexibility with breakfast clubs, after school clubs and holiday clubs in addition to all the usual day care. Little Steps Day Nursery, run from a large house in a residential area, offers a homely feel, while Ladybirds Nursery has a greener location in Highfield Park. Some of the nurseries (including the chains) have instant availability, others a wait of up to nine months.
Many of the private schools have nurseries. Beechwood Park School’s is purpose-built and uses specialist music and PE teachers from the prep, while Westbrook Hay Prep School encourages its nursery children to take part in school productions and really feel part of pre-prep life. In Manor Lodge School nursery, we liked the colourful classrooms and theme-led learning, while at Abbot’s Hill School the setting is stunning. If you’re lucky, you’ll only have to wait between three and nine months but in some cases, you’ll need to sign up in pregnancy.
Nurseries in Welwyn Garden City
Ludwick Nursery School is set in super grounds, while Rowan Tree Day Nursery has a handy location near the town centre and train station. Little Tulips Day Nursery is a particularly flexible option in terms of timings offered, and the food is excellent. Footsteps Pre-nursery and Annabel’s Montessori School are also popular, as is Harding’s Pre-school – never more so than since it moved in 2020 to bigger and better facilities. Busy Bees will be a familiar name to many, and Welwyn’s branch is a huge success, while Tenterfield Nursery School and Attimore Barn Preschool have staff who parents rave about. Waiting lists anything from two to 18 months, depending on the child’s age.
Of the private schools with nurseries, Duncombe School’s has two popular classes with a staff to child ratio of 1:8, while St Joseph’s in the Park has plenty of woodlands and fields for outdoor play. Heath Mount School and Kingshott School both have modern, free-flow and bright nursery environments, while Sherrardswood School has a particularly comprehensive website outlining life in its busy nursery. Not all have waiting lists, but it’s still worth making enquiries early.