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Harper's Nursery School

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Nov 2021)
·
4.0(4 parent reviews) ·Station Road, Blunham, Bedford, MK44 3NX · Central Bedfordshire
Number of places
98 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2021
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire

About this day nursery

Harpers Nursery & Forest School, situated in Blunham, Bedfordshire, offers a comprehensive early years education for children. The nursery embraces an "All-Inclusive" package designed to ensure a high-quality experience, featuring freshly prepared, nutritious meals by an on-site chef and a range of essential provisions such as nappies and wipes.

The curriculum is enriched with Forest School lessons led by qualified leaders, offering unique outdoor learning opportunities and interactions with animals like their wellbeing dog, ponies, and hatching chicks. Harpers prioritises a strong transition to school through their School Readiness Programme and maintains a dedicated staff-to-child ratio, particularly for two-year-olds.

They also offer "Interactive Evening on the Muddy Mound" for parents to learn about Forest School benefits. Harpers Nursery commits to guiding families through the complexities of fees and funding, aiming to provide a supportive and educational environment where children can thrive and develop essential skills for life.

Our ethos

Harpers Nursery & Forest School uses an "All-Inclusive" package and a curriculum enriched with Forest School lessons, offering unique outdoor learning opportunities. They focus on a School Readiness Programme and a supportive, educational environment where children can thrive and develop essential life skills.

What it's like

Children are enthusiastic and highly motivated to learn. They settle very quickly, behave very well and receive exceptionally warm and nurturing care. Children demonstrate that they feel very safe in the care of the staff. This supports children's emotional well-being extremely well and enables them to flourish.

Forest SchoolAll-inclusive packageHighly qualified staffAnimal interaction

Pricing & funding

Fees are calculated using an annualised formula to ensure equal monthly invoices. The weekly total is multiplied by 50 weeks and then divided by 12 months.

Funding accepted

30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Monthly invoices are calculated by multiplying the weekly total by 50 weeks and dividing by 12.
  • Fees are annualised to produce equal monthly payments.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, for 50 weeks per year, from 7.30am to 6pm

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Harper's Nursery School

Last inspected 11 November 2021

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 enthusiastic and highly motivated to learn. They settle very quickly, behave very well and receive exceptionally warm and nurturing care. Children demonstrate that they feel very safe in the care of the staff. This supports children's emotional well-being extremely well and enables them to flourish.

Inspector highlights

  • The experienced and extremely knowledgeable manager is passionate about the care and learning opportunities provided for the children.
  • Staff have an excellent range of qualifications, experience and skills.
  • Staff know the children exceptionally well and ensure their individual needs and interests are prioritised.
  • The outdoor environment provides children with an abundance of learning opportunities and is used to facilitate many hands-on experiences and forest-school activities.
  • Partnerships with parents are particularly strong.
Inspection #10137508 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive high levels of support. Staff work very closely with the child's family and other professionals, setting achievable targets and making swift adaptations to activities to enable every child to take part and become fully engaged.

Outdoor space

The outdoor environment provides children with an abundance of learning opportunities and is used to facilitate many hands-on experiences and forest-school activities. Children learn to take risks in the natural environment and develop their confidence, strength and physical skills.

Parent Reviews of Harper's Nursery School

4.0
(4)
Ellie Billers
2 years ago

Truly feel we hit the jackpot with this nursery for our first born. We were nervous about the 20 minute commute each day but that’s a very small price to pay for absolute confidence that your child is in the right setting, getting the care and support you’d give yourself. Elaine is the baby room is absolutely Wonderful. So supportive to us as parents as well as a second mother figure to our little girl. The whole team is really amazing. They do wonderful meals, all home made on site. I can’t fault them. Our daughter has had some health issues and allergies, and nothing has been an issue for them to manage. Highly recommend (but register early!)

Read on Google
Jess Booth
2 years ago

Wonderful Nursery and forest school. Sent my first here and no qualms about sending my second. Lovely staff and setting. They have quite a waiting list.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Harper's Nursery School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: April 2011

  • November 2021Outstanding
  • September 2015Outstanding
  • April 2011Outstanding

Frequently asked about Harper's Nursery School

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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