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Hitchin House Day Nursery

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Aug 2022)
·
4.9(7 parent reviews)
·41 Wilbury Way, Hitchin, SG4 0TW · Hertfordshire
Number of places
135 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2022
Local authority
Hertfordshire

About this day nursery

Hitchin House Day Nursery, located in Hitchin, offers a dynamic and engaging environment where children are encouraged to explore and learn through inquiry-led play. The nursery’s philosophy integrates elements of the Montessori approach, fostering creativity and curiosity in age-appropriate activities and real-life experiences.

Their dedicated and experienced team works in close partnership with families, aiming to provide tailored care and education for each child. The nursery prides itself on creating an atmosphere brimming with opportunities for adventure and discovery, encouraging children to make their own choices in learning.

They prepare fresh, healthy meals and snacks, and provide all necessary consumables such as nappies and formula, ensuring a comprehensive childcare solution for parents.

Our ethos

Hitchin House Day Nursery integrates elements of the Montessori approach, fostering creativity and curiosity in their inquiry-led play environment. They encourage children to make their own choices in learning, providing an atmosphere brimming with opportunities for adventure and discovery. The nursery works in close partnership with families, aiming to provide tailored care and education for each child.

What it's like

The warm, welcoming and enthusiastic manager and staff team create a highly ambitious curriculum for all children, who make outstanding progress in their learning and development. Children leave their parents with confidence and demonstrate a clear love for their nursery. Staff are excited to welcome children into their base rooms. Children quickly become immersed in exciting and meaningful activities.

Inquiry-led learningMontessori-inspired ethosHome-cooked food includedAll consumables included

Pricing & funding

Fees include freshly prepared meals, drinks, snacks, disposable nappies, creams, wipes, and formula milk. The nursery offers flexible session options upon request and accepts tax-free childcare, government funding, and direct bank transfers.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
  • 7 hours between 7.30am and 6.30pm£101.50 / day
  • 7.5 hours between 7.30am and 6.30pm£103.00 / day
  • 8 hours between 7.30am and 6.30pm£104.50 / day
  • 8.5 hours between 7.30am and 6.30pm£106.00 / day
  • 9 hours between 7.30am and 6.30pm£107.25 / day

Good to know

  • Fees include all meals, drinks, snacks, disposable nappies, wipes, nappy cream, and choice of formula milk.
  • Payments accepted via vouchers, tax-free childcare, local authority funding, and direct bank transfers.
  • Alternative session times can be requested and accommodated where possible.

Key facts

Food

Freshly prepared meals, drinks and snacks made with high quality, healthy ingredients, including formula milk for babies.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6.30pm all year round, apart from bank holidays

Term time / All Year

All Year

Session types

Full Day

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Hitchin House Day Nursery

Last inspected 23 August 2022 · Lisa Smith

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

The warm, welcoming and enthusiastic manager and staff team create a highly ambitious curriculum for all children, who make outstanding progress in their learning and development. Children leave their parents with confidence and demonstrate a clear love for their nursery. Staff are excited to welcome children into their base rooms. Children quickly become immersed in exciting and meaningful activities.

Inspector highlights

  • The provider and the management team's dedication to creating an innovative early years provision underpins the nursery's success.
  • Provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is outstanding.
  • A love of books is embedded across the nursery.
  • Children develop an excellent understanding of healthy lifestyles.
  • The workshop allows children time to explore and express themselves independently.
Inspection #10239583 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

"Parents speak very highly of the nursery, especially the individual bonds their children have with their key person and the staff within their rooms."

"Parents comment on the classes run additionally for them and the skills they have learned."

"Parents state that they would not go anywhere else."

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is outstanding. Staff put the necessary adaptations in place quickly to ensure that children enjoy the same curriculum and experiences as their friends. Staff build strong and trusting relationships with parents. They support them throughout their child's journey at the nursery.

Outdoor space

Children are physically active throughout the day, both inside and outdoors. In the garden, older children spend time with the babies, learning when it is important to take extra care in their movements and play. Children use trial and error methods when exploring the climbing wall. They are proud when they manage to move across it. In the garden, children practice their climbing skills even further on the blocks. They use balance beams to start their climb and once they reach the top, staff are there to support them if needed.

Parent Reviews of Hitchin House Day Nursery

4.9
(7)
Duncan Boa
7 months ago

Our two boys attended Hitchin House Nursery and the experience has been nothing short of phenomenal. The nurturing, care, and focus on development have been outstanding. Our eldest was so well supported and encouraged that his transition to school was smooth and confident. Our youngest joined at 1 and spent 18 months there before we moved out of the area, and during that time he thrived. The staff are deeply caring and put enormous effort into creating a warm, enriching environment. On the occasions we had concerns, the nursery listened and responded thoughtfully. We are so grateful to the whole team for their dedication and care. A special thank you to Rachel, Molly, Tracey, Anne, Jisha, Leosha, and Kelly for everything they’ve done for our boys.

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Angel Cake
2 years ago

My little girl came here and absolutely loved it. She had been in a nursery from the age of 5 months. I had to move her out of 3 different nurseries where she was constantly crying and her separation anxiety was sky high. Eventually she came to Hitchin house and couldn't get enough of it. I was bring her in and hour early because she wanted to have breakfast with her nursery friends and teachers. Jasmine is constantly asking to go on my Instagram just so she can see all the things that the other children are doing and lives to go down memory lane. The love and care care she got from the staff I couldn't fault them on anything. Even though there were 70 children in her room they were split into different groups and will move around the nursery to explore the workshop and the garden which she loved. It meant she wasn't just stuck in one room. I just wish I bought her to Hitchin house when she was a baby so she could had been here longer

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Katy Rugman
a year ago

The best nursery! We are delighted with Hitchin House Day Nursery and don't think we could have found a better place for our son who has loved it since the start. Max joined when he was 11 months old, and is now 28 months old and still loving it - we already have our next one on the waiting list for when they arrive! Huge thanks to the amazing staff and team for going above and beyond, we have never had any concerns and it's lovely to see how excited he is running in in the morning and then telling us about his day. Highly recommended and very grateful we found such a wonderful nursery thank you.

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Lucy Harvey
a year ago

Our two daughters aged 2 and 4 currently attend Hitchin House and we are delighted to say that it is a wonderful, nurturing nursery with top tier staff who demonstrate the most committed approach to their roles. We couldn’t be happier with our choice of nursery and would highly recommend it to any parents or carers currently seeking a day care setting for their little ones.

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Madeleine Harries
a year ago

Hitchin House has been a safe haven for us as a family over the past three years. Our son was born bang in the middle of covid, and they made him feel comfortable in what can be an intimidating environment. It was an absolute joy seeing him grow and develop during his time there. He created some incredibly special bonds with key workers and peers along the way. We were always blown away by the facilities and endless activities that were churned out every single day. School has some BIG shoes to fill. We feel very lucky that we can enjoy it all again now with our daughter now there, who goes in and out with the biggest smile on her face everyday!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Hitchin House Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: August 2022

  • September 2022Outstanding
  • August 2022Outstanding

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