Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

Busy Lizzies At Simon Balle

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Jun 2022)
·Simon Balle All-Through School, Larch Centre, Hertford, SG13 8AJ · Hertfordshire
Number of places
78 places
Age range
3–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2022
Local authority
Hertfordshire

About this day nursery

Busy Lizzies at Simon Balle offers a nurturing and stimulating environment where children feel secure and eager to learn. The nursery aims to provide a 'home from home' experience, fostering resilience and independence through a blend of play, investigation, and small group activities.

With a strong emphasis on continuous learning and development, the dedicated team, boasting over 60 years of collective childcare experience, thoughtfully curates activities and resources to challenge and engage every child. The setting is rich with unique features, including a 'WOW!

room' for phonics, a Forest School for weekly outdoor exploration and pond dipping, and even an on-site farm with animals. Children also benefit from a covered outdoor area for free-flow play regardless of weather, a mud kitchen, and gardening opportunities to grow their own fruits and vegetables.

The nursery ensures a smooth transition for children moving to reception classes, maintaining strong links with primary schools. Daily activities include Music and Movement and mini Yoga, promoting holistic development.

Our ethos

Busy Lizzies at Simon Balle aims to provide a 'home from home' experience, fostering resilience and independence through a blend of play, investigation, and small group activities. They emphasise continuous learning and development, offering a rich environment with unique features like a Forest School, an on-site farm, and opportunities for gardening and outdoor play in all weather. The nursery also focuses on holistic development through activities like Music and Movement and mini Yoga.

What it's like

Children are happy and thrive in this nursery due to outstanding experiences. They separate from parents with ease, or can use a "Wow" room for support, and become immediately immersed in activities planned around their interests. Children are kind to each other, behaviour is outstanding, and they know how to stay safe while taking educated risks on play equipment.

Forest SchoolOn-site farmHigh staff-to-child ratiosYoga and Music & Movement sessionsFocus on outdoor play

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request

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

Request pricing →

Key facts

Opening hours

7.45am to 6.30pm during term time and from 8am to 5pm in the school holidays

Age range

Children aged 3 years and above (starting the September after they turn 3)

Session types

Nursery, Breakfast Club, Afterschool Club

Term time / All Year

Mixed

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Busy Lizzies At Simon Balle

Last inspected 9 June 2022

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

What it's like to attend

Children are happy and thrive in this nursery due to outstanding experiences. They separate from parents with ease, or can use a "Wow" room for support, and become immediately immersed in activities planned around their interests. Children are kind to each other, behaviour is outstanding, and they know how to stay safe while taking educated risks on play equipment.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff have outstanding knowledge of the children and build excellent partnerships with parents to support the whole family.
  • All children make rapid progress in communication and language development, with staff providing high-quality teaching and support from a speech and language therapist.
  • The relationship with the school is outstanding, ensuring seamless transitions for children and shared information between Reception teachers and nursery staff.
  • The nursery environment is effectively structured and adapted to meet the needs of all children, including an outdoor space that reflects the indoor provision.
  • The manager is highly ambitious and passionate about creating amazing opportunities for children, providing superb support for the staff team.
Inspection #10215507 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents comment on the clear communication systems in place to ensure they are part of their children's learning journey.

Parents find all of the staff approachable and appreciate the hard work the team puts in to create an outstanding setting.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

All children make rapid progress in their communication and language development. Younger and less-able children have access to high-quality communication and language teaching. The manager uses additional funding, as well as the nursery's own income, to access a speech and language therapist to support children's language development.

Outdoor space

The outside space is reflective of the inside and caters for those children who prefer to be outside. Children know to stay safe while out on the big playground and take educated risks as they climb the larger school play equipment, knowing a staff member is close by to support them if necessary.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

9 June 2022

Outstanding

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Busy Lizzies At Simon Balle

Nearby day nurseries in Hertford

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Busy Lizzies At Simon Balle.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more