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Home from Home Day Nursery Academy

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Jan 2025)
·
3.8(5 parent reviews) ·Home From Home, 52a Bernard Street, St. Albans, AL3 5QN · Hertfordshire
Number of places
76 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2025
Local authority
Hertfordshire

About this day nursery

Home from Home Day Nursery Academy Ltd, located in St. Albans, AL3 5QN, prides itself on providing exceptional care and education for children. The nursery maintains high standards, employing supernumerary directors and a highly qualified and experienced team, including specialists in SEND and safeguarding, as well as a dedicated transition coordinator and room leaders.

The nursery offers a comprehensive service, with fees covering all a child's needs such as nutritious home-cooked meals prepared with fresh produce, bottles, formula, nappies, wipes, and creams. Additionally, children benefit from engaging activities like yoga and drama classes.

For parents requiring specific brands like cloth nappies or Naturecare, the nursery requests these to be provided. The Pre-Preparatory unit, known as BBO (Bees, Badgers, and Owls), further benefits from the expertise of directors, one holding Early Year Professional Status and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, and a full-time Qualified Teacher.

What it's like

Children thrive in this well-organised nursery, enthusiastically following their interests while exploring resources and the environment. Staff use their acute knowledge of children's individual learning needs and preferences to focus challenges and teaching, supporting rapid progress effectively. Children are exceptionally well supported to recognise their feelings and emotions, learning strategies such as yoga to regulate their reactions and resolve minor disputes.

High staff qualifications and experienceHome-cooked meals and all-inclusive careYoga and Drama classes included

Pricing & funding

Fees are billed monthly in advance, varying according to the number of days attended each week with a discount for full-time children. Fees are comprehensive, covering all meals, formula, nappies, and extra-curricular classes. Charges are payable year-round, including bank holidays and Christmas closures.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)

Good to know

  • Fees include all meals, snacks, formula, nappies, wipes, creams, yoga, and drama classes.
  • Fees are payable monthly in advance by standing order.
  • Fees are payable all year round, including during bank holidays and Christmas closures.
  • A sibling discount of £100 per month is offered for younger siblings attending full time.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6.15pm, all year, except for bank holidays

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Home from Home Day Nursery Academy

Last inspected 30 January 2025 · Katrina Rodden

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 thrive in this well-organised nursery, enthusiastically following their interests while exploring resources and the environment. Staff use their acute knowledge of children's individual learning needs and preferences to focus challenges and teaching, supporting rapid progress effectively. Children are exceptionally well supported to recognise their feelings and emotions, learning strategies such as yoga to regulate their reactions and resolve minor disputes.

Inspector highlights

  • Children thrive in the well-organised nursery and enthusiastically follow their interests.
  • Staff use their acute knowledge of children's individual learning needs to support rapid progress effectively.
  • Children are exceptionally well supported to recognise their feelings and emotions and learn strategies to regulate their reactions.
  • Babies and very young children have plenty of space to move around, and staff effectively support their communication development.
  • Staff work exceptionally well together, with robust systems for professional development, ensuring all staff help children make rapid progress.
Inspection #10372228 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents report that they feel valued and recognise the role they play in continuing to support their children's learning at home.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff use their acute knowledge of children's individual learning needs and preferences of where and how they learn best of all. This helps to focus their challenges and teaching to support children's rapid progress effectively.

Outdoor space

Staff encourage children to use chalks to create shapes on a large scale in the outside space. This supports young children's development in early writing and mathematics. The inspector observed activities inside the group rooms and in the outside area.

Parent Reviews of Home from Home Day Nursery Academy

3.8
(5)
Rachel Brown
3 years ago

First class staff, providing all kids a safe and fun learning environment. Definitely a home from home! My children love it

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Tyrone Jhonson
3 years ago

I came to pick up my nephew a few days ago and had a really rude encounter with Ami. I felt like she was judging me and was uncomfortably staring at me as I was leaving.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Home from Home Day Nursery Academy. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

30 January 2025

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 Home from Home Day Nursery Academy

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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