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Bright Horizons The Park Day Nursery and Preschool

Ofsted: Good
(May 2023)
·
4.4(7 parent reviews) ·3 Park Avenue, Watford, WD18 7HR · Hertfordshire
Number of places
106 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2023
Local authority
Hertfordshire

About this day nursery

Bright Horizons operates numerous nurseries and preschools across the UK, offering comprehensive childcare solutions for families. Their approach, known as 'The Nurture Approach', prioritises both intellectual development and emotional well-being, ensuring each child feels supported and cherished.

They believe in fostering a stimulating environment where children can thrive, learn through engaging activities, and develop practical life skills. The curriculum, 'Bright Beginnings', focuses on five key learning areas and incorporates outdoor adventures, including Forest School and Eco-Schools programmes.

Understanding the emotional journey of starting nursery, Bright Horizons provides non-chargeable 'Settling In Sessions' up to six weeks before a child's start date, allowing families to gradually familiarise themselves with the nursery and build trust with their child's dedicated Key Person. They also acknowledge the financial aspects of childcare and offer guidance on available funding options.

Beyond childcare, Bright Horizons is committed to charitable initiatives through its Foundation For Children.

What it's like

Children are happy and settled in this friendly nursery, greeted by enthusiastic staff who encourage age-appropriate routines. This nurturing environment helps children settle swiftly, with babies forming particularly close bonds with staff. Children engage deeply in numerous age-appropriate activities and show high levels of independence, supported by staff.

The Nurture ApproachBright Beginnings CurriculumSettling In SessionsOutdoor AdventuresEco-Schools ProgrammeChildcare Funding Guidance

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

Term time / All Year

All Year

Waitlist

not applicable

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Bright Horizons The Park Day Nursery and Preschool

Last inspected 10 May 2023

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 in this friendly nursery, greeted by enthusiastic staff who encourage age-appropriate routines. This nurturing environment helps children settle swiftly, with babies forming particularly close bonds with staff. Children engage deeply in numerous age-appropriate activities and show high levels of independence, supported by staff.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff place a sharp focus on developing children's language and communication.
  • Children play an active role in planning their learning environment.
  • Parents are highly complimentary about the managers and staff and the care they provide.
  • Staff sequence children's learning well, revisiting activities to embed new knowledge.
  • The manager is passionate about her role in supporting children's development and reflects well on the care the nursery provides.

Areas to develop

  • 1ensure staff plan the day to enable them to consistently prioritise children's learning over completing tasks
  • 2enhance methods of mentoring to support staff to identify areas to improve their practice and raise the quality of their teaching to a consistently high level.
Inspection #10287389 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents comment on how their children thoroughly enjoy attending the nursery.

They acknowledge how the well-established team of staff support children to settle well and make good progress.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Older children re-create their favourite stories in the woodland trail and grow herbs and vegetables in the well-constructed outdoor area.

Parent Reviews of Bright Horizons The Park Day Nursery and Preschool

4.4
(7)
Dóra Lazarescu
11 months ago

My daughter has been attending this nursery / pre school since 2023. She loves going to pre-school! She has a very good relationship with her teachers and friends. We are always up do date about her development. If we ever had any issues / questions, it was always handled with kindness and soon as possible. I can only recommend this wonderful nursery! Everyone will be missed once we start school. Thank you everyone for your hard work, it’s much appreciated !

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Hannah Lambie
a year ago

Staff are kind and go the extra mile to give good handovers and ask about our home situation. Also clearly have strong personal bonds with my son from what they tell me about him at the end of each day. A lovely caring and fun nursery!

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Janice Fitzgerald
2 years ago

Honestly this place is great and given the parents I speak to who’s children also attend I know I am not alone in feeling this way. My first baby after a long and difficult fertility journey attends here and with no family near by we were very nervous about the transition to full time nursery while my husband and I work, as we just didn’t know what to expect. However he’s been so happy every day going in to team. There was one day I left his bag in the car and when I went to turn around to get it he absolutely lost it because he thought we weren’t going in! 😂 The love and care the team show the babies is truly special. It’s tailored and personal to each child and I’m so grateful for the service these wonderful people provide.

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Lizzy Lockheart
2 years ago

We couldn’t be happier with The Park Day nursery. The staff are incredibly kind and do an amazing job at supporting the childrens development - we have seen our little one flourish since joining. They are great at keeping us updated, with end of day handovers and frequent parent evenings. Our child happily goes to nursery every morning and is excited to see the Park team and all their friends. We would recommend the nursery to anyone.

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elmira dema
11 months ago

Hight fee and didn’t accept my toddler and dont refund me even one pence !!! I dont recommend to no one

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

Inspection history

Date: February 2011

  • May 2023Good
  • September 2018Outstanding
  • September 2015Good
  • February 2011Good

Frequently asked about Bright Horizons The Park Day Nursery and Preschool

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