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Bright Horizons Hertford Day Nursery and Preschool

Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2022)
·
4.8(6 parent reviews)
·A1 & A2, The Chase, Hertford, SG13 7NN · Hertfordshire
Number of places
115 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2022
Local authority
Hertfordshire

About this day nursery

Hertford Day Nursery and Preschool provides a stimulating and nurturing environment for children aged 3 months to 5 years. The nursery boasts a purpose-built facility with seven individual rooms tailored to specific age groups, alongside two additional spaces for extracurricular activities.

Babies benefit from bright and sensory-rich rooms, including a separate sleep room for peaceful naps. Toddlers have access to their own toilets for potty training support and enjoy freeflow access to gardens, as well as engaging learning areas such as a reading corner and role-play space.

The preschool rooms also offer direct garden access, allowing children to choose their learning environment and participate in a 'Ready for School programme' that focuses on foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, preparing them for their next educational step. The nursery incorporates the 'Nurture Approach,' designed by Early Years specialists, which prioritises wellbeing and holistic development, building upon the EYFS framework with creative and engaging activities.

Parents can stay updated on their child's daily activities and milestones through the Bright Horizons Family app. Unique features include a child-safe kitchen for mini chefs to learn about cooking and healthy eating, which can also transform into an art studio for creative expression.

The beautifully landscaped garden offers a safe and stimulating outdoor space with various resources like climbing frames, a water feature, trikes, scooters, and a mud kitchen, with a dedicated garden area and outdoor classroom for under 2s. The nursery provides all-inclusive care, encompassing nutritionally-balanced meals prepared by an onsite chef, snacks, nappies, wipes, formula, and creams.

Conveniently located near Hertford North train station, the nursery operates with extended hours from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm and holds a 'Good' Ofsted rating.

Our ethos

Your little one deserves the best start in life, and our Nurture Approach delivers just that. Designed by Early Years specialists, it focuses on wellbeing and holistic development to help every child thrive. Building on the foundations of the government’s EYFS framework, The Nurture Approach combines creative, engaging activities that develop essential skills and confidence. This personalised approach supports each child’s progress—whether they’re moving rooms or preparing for school.

What it's like

Children are happy and settled, demonstrating secure attachments to staff and separating confidently from parents. Children are well prepared for changes, including moving rooms and transitioning to school, due to thorough processes. Staff plan activities based on children

Purpose-built facilityLandscaped gardenAll-inclusive careExtended opening hours

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Food

All-inclusive, nutritionally-balanced meals prepared daily by onsite chef. Includes snacks, nappies, wipes, formula, and creams.

Opening hours

Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM

Age range

3 months to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Waitlist

Join our waitlist

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Bright Horizons Hertford Day Nursery and Preschool

Last inspected 8 August 2022 · Emma Barton

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are happy and settled, demonstrating secure attachments to staff and separating confidently from parents. Children are well prepared for changes, including moving rooms and transitioning to school, due to thorough processes. Staff plan activities based on children

Inspector highlights

  • Children have frequent opportunities to exercise and play in fresh air, including running, climbing, and using trikes.
  • Staff develop children's speech and language skills effectively through stories, songs, and rhymes.
  • Relationships with parents are strong, with effective communication and parents feeling their views are listened to.
  • Children develop literacy skills, with reading and sharing books encouraged across all age groups.
  • Children learn about healthy lifestyles through cooking, gardening, and activities promoting oral hygiene.
  • Children have opportunities to develop mathematical understanding through measuring activities and number rhymes.
  • Staff are well-supported by management, with regular supervision and tailored training.
  • Children are well prepared for their next stage in learning through imaginative play and self-care skill development.

Areas to develop

  • 1continue to embed the curriculum to ensure it is clear what skills and knowledge children are learning through planned activities and play opportunities.
Inspection #10233425 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents report effective communication with staff.

Parents know what their child's next step in learning is and comment that staff listen to their views, support families and work as a true partnership.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff develop children's speech and language skills effectively by reading stories and singing songs and rhymes. For example, young toddlers take part in a daily movement-to-music session, where they wiggle, stretch, jump and clap. Older toddlers take part in a game to discover what is in the box and talk about the different animals that they discover.

Outdoor space

Children have frequent opportunities to exercise and play in fresh air. For example, young children learn to crawl through a tunnel and older children run, climb and learn how to pedal trikes. Children have plenty of opportunities to appreciate the living things around them as staff encourage them to look for minibeasts in the bug garden.

Parent Reviews of Bright Horizons Hertford Day Nursery and Preschool

4.8
(6)
Louis Merhemitch
2 years ago

We moved our son to Bright Horizons after the nursery that our son was previously attending received a poor Ofsted report. On many levels, we are so pleased that we did, be that staff, food, space or facilities. Hannah & Alice did everything they could to accommodate us as quickly as possible, given the situation that we found ourselves in and the competency of the staff doesn’t stop there. The staff display capability throughout every aspect of the nursery, be it through the caring and considered nursery nurses to the always smiling onsite chef. Our son literally skips through the doors of his new nursery and seems to love every minute of it.

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Paula Christofides
5 years ago

We moved our daughter to Bright Horizons from another nursery due to a bad experience post lock down. It was a difficult decision and we explored various options for childcare around Hertford before selecting Bright Horizons. We found Emma and the team to be helpful, professional and informative and this opinion has not been wavered. We find the activities they do with the children educational and fun, our daughter is very much enjoying her new nursery and we are certain we made the right choice in moving our daughter to the Hertford nursery.

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Hayley Brosnan
5 years ago

My 2 year old son started at Bright Horizons Hertford in October as his first introduction to nursery. The settling in period was a lovely, gradual approach lasting 6 weeks. I really appreciated this time as it was all very new for myself and my so . The staff and management have been lovely from day 1, he has settled in perfectly and now goes 1 day a week. I absolutely love the little sheet I get at the end of the day telling me what he’s been up to/eaten etc. The nursery is immaculate and the food menu is brilliant, I like that he’s offered such a variety during his time there. The activities listed on the sheet always sound so fun and he comes out full of beans, ready to tell me about his day. When emailing I always get a prompt reply or a quick answer on the phone which puts me at ease. Overall I would highly recommended this nursery to people in Hertford, I’m very impressed so far and fully trust the staff to look after my son in the best way possible! Thank you :)

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Rebecca Horrell
5 years ago

The nursery has been amazing during the pandemic and we have always felt like our child is safe in their care. They are all very friendly and professional and it’s a lovely environment for the kids.

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Lois Lapham
a month ago

Only positive things to say about this nursery. We viewed quite a few and this one felt right - lots of outdoor play and understanding the motivations behind the children’s behaviours. My son has developed life skills much more quickly with their support including dressing himself, potty training, trying new foods and sitting at the table to eat. He has fun too - it’s not unusual for him to ask when he can go to nursery!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Bright Horizons Hertford Day Nursery and Preschool. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: August 2022

  • September 2022Good
  • August 2022Good

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