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Old MacDonald's Day Nursery in Rickmansworth

Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2022)
·
5.0(6 parent reviews) ·20-21 Heronsgate Road, Chorleywood, Rickmansworth, WD3 5BN · Hertfordshire
Number of places
66 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2022
Local authority
Hertfordshire

About this day nursery

Old MacDonald's Day Nursery’s Anouska’s Lodge, located in Rickmansworth, offers term-time only care for children aged 2 to 5 years, operating from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday. The daily fee includes a comprehensive meal plan, encompassing breakfast, mid-morning snack, a hot lunch with dessert, a mid-afternoon snack, and high tea.

The nursery actively participates in the government's Early Education Funding scheme for 3 and 4-year-olds, offering both the universal 15 hours and the extended 30 hours, subject to availability and eligibility, though meal costs are separate. Beyond the nursery, Anouska’s also features a crèche for children aged 2 to 5 on weekdays and 2 to 9 on weekends, catering to hotel residents, spa members, and non-residents, with parents required to remain on-site.

Additionally, a holiday club for 2 to 9-year-olds is available during school holidays (excluding meals), providing flexible care options for families in the area. A non-refundable registration fee is applicable upon accepting a nursery place, with a reduced rate for siblings.

The nursery also has multiple other locations, including Bovingdon, Chorleywood, Latimer, and Leverstock Green, each with its own contact details and OFSTED registration.

What it's like

Children enjoy attending Old MacDonald's Day Nursery, eagerly waiting for staff to greet them and beginning to make friends from a young age. Babies interact by passing toys and sharing, while older children show high levels of respect and concentration during activities, which helps prepare them for the next stage of learning. The nursery also ensures children from different cultures feel valued and included through learning about various festivals.

Term-time only nurseryEarly Education Funding acceptedCrèche and Holiday Club availableIncludes all meals

Pricing & funding

Charges are structured as a daily rate or as individual three-hour crèche sessions. Standard daily fees include all meals and snacks, while holiday club rates are offered with meals excluded. Crèche sessions run on weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during school holidays with an optional hot lunch available.

Funding accepted

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

Good to know

  • Standard daily fees include breakfast, snacks, hot lunch with dessert, and high tea.
  • Holiday club rates exclude meals, with an optional daily meal package available.
  • Crèche sessions are booked in 3-hour blocks.
  • An optional hot lunch can be added to crèche sessions.

Key facts

Opening hours

08.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday (term-time only for nursery)

Age range

2 to 5 years (nursery), 2 to 9 years (crèche & holiday club)

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Old MacDonald's Day Nursery

Last inspected 4 February 2022 · Jenny Hardy

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 enjoy attending Old MacDonald's Day Nursery, eagerly waiting for staff to greet them and beginning to make friends from a young age. Babies interact by passing toys and sharing, while older children show high levels of respect and concentration during activities, which helps prepare them for the next stage of learning. The nursery also ensures children from different cultures feel valued and included through learning about various festivals.

Inspector highlights

  • Children enjoy attending the nursery and make friends from a young age.
  • Older children show high levels of respect and concentration, preparing them for future learning.
  • Children from different cultures feel valued and included, learning about various festivals.
  • Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities skilfully using visual cues and Makaton signs.
  • Partnerships between staff and parents are strong, with parents involved in planning and receiving guidance on supporting their children's development.

Areas to develop

  • 1support less-experienced members of staff to develop their professional knowledge and interactions with children to a consistently high standard.
Inspection #10127356 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities skilfully. They adapt communication methods for non-verbal children by using visual cues and Makaton signs to prepare them for routines. Children learn to use these signs to communicate back to staff, for example, to request a toy.

Outdoor space

Children develop their muscles during sensory-play opportunities. Staff encourage toddlers to use their hands to explore textures and older children confidently knead dough. The oldest children have developed strong hand muscles for writing and learn to hold tools like pencils correctly, making marks on paper to record findings during experiments.

Parent Reviews of Old MacDonald's Day Nursery

5.0
(6)
Jess Peachey
7 years ago

Cannot recommend this Nursery enough! From a mother's perspective and having a childcare qualification, finding the right nursery to work for whilst bringing my son Ralph along with me was so important! The staff are just incredibly caring and it really was a home from home for Ralph whilst I worked. Never have I received such praise and encouragement in a workplace and I really believe that Old MacDonalds take pride in making their staff feel so welcome. Thank you for providing my son with an amazing start to his learning and development and also for teaching me more than I've ever learnt at any childcare setting!

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Emma Masters
7 years ago

My son attended Old Macdonalds Chorleywood for around 2 years. Cannot recommend enough- the staff were all so friendly and welcoming & made sure that my son felt happy and safe in the setting. The management team at Chorleywood are approachable and did everything they could to accommodate extra sessions when required- which was very much appreciated when I was in hospital having our second child. The environment is well-cared for, inviting and engaging for the children and adults alike- highly recommended!

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James Grummitt
7 years ago

I just wanted to take the time to write a review about this nursery. I recently had a show around and I was overwhelmed at how friendly a the staff were, every single one looked up to say hello to me and made a fuss over my baby. The menu looked extensive, with a lot of variety for my little one. I have to say my favourite part of the setting was the ball pool it was definitely a unique selling point, such a great idea to have this extra inside space during the rainier months! I am throughly looking forward to my little one starting later this year.

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Clare Scotchett
7 years ago

I wouldn't think twice about leaving my children here if I lived closer. The staff, resources and rooms are all top class. The care of the children is second to none and the waiting list is proof of this. The nursery is always clean, welcoming and well stocked with resources and activities. The nursery was rated outstanding for a reason!

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Anna Prazer
7 years ago

Wow blast from the past! Just drove past my daughters nursery that she attended from when she was 7 months till 2 years. She loved the baby room and the love and care she received from Edina and Lucy was second to none. The ball pool was a great feature that meant she daily got to burn off all her energy.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Old MacDonald's Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
  • February 2022Good
  • September 2015Outstanding
  • February 2011Outstanding

Frequently asked about Old MacDonald's Day Nursery

About the setting

Old MacDonald's Day Nursery in Chorleywood registered in 2006 and operates all year round, Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 7pm, except for public holidays. It employs 26 childcare staff, with three holding level 6 qualifications and 17 holding level 2 or above. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three-, and four-year-old children.

URN
EY335504
Registered person
Old Macdonald's Day Nursery Ltd
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Outstanding

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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