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Rookies Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Apr 2025)
·
3.9(7 parent reviews) ·Stevenage Football Academy, Shephallbury Sports Centre, Stevenage, SG2 8RH · Hertfordshire
Number of places
94 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2025
Local authority
Hertfordshire

About this day nursery

Rookies Day Nursery, located within Stevenage Football Academy, offers a nurturing and child-focused environment for children aged 0 to 4 years. The nursery, established in 2018, is open from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm for 51 weeks of the year, providing full day care.

The dedicated team of 20 staff members, with 18 holding childcare qualifications at level 2 or above, are attentive to children's emotional needs, offering comfort and support. Children at Rookies are encouraged to be independent, with staff supporting them in tasks like self-feeding and managing healthy snacks.

The setting places a strong emphasis on communication and language, using a carefully selected core book and familiar songs to introduce new words and concepts. The curriculum is designed to build on what children already know, ensuring they make good progress.

The nursery also effectively supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, working in partnership with other professionals and meticulously using any additional funding to meet individual needs. Parents hold the staff in high regard, describing them as 'bubbly' and 'friendly'.

What it's like

Children are happy in this child-focused and nurturing nursery. Staff are attentive to children's emotional needs and provide comforting cuddles. Children are confident and inquisitive, exploring a varied range of appealing activities that reflect their interests with enthusiasm. Staff know children well and support their development, ensuring all children make good progress.

Child-focused environmentNurturing staffGood progressIndependence encouragedStrong communication skillsSEND support

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

7.30am until 6pm for 51 weeks of the year.

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

2018

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Rookies Day Nursery

Last inspected 30 April 2025

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are happy in this child-focused and nurturing nursery. Staff are attentive to children's emotional needs and provide comforting cuddles. Children are confident and inquisitive, exploring a varied range of appealing activities that reflect their interests with enthusiasm. Staff know children well and support their development, ensuring all children make good progress.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are happy in this child-focused and nurturing nursery.
  • Staff are attentive to children's emotional needs.
  • Children are confident and inquisitive, exploring varied activities with enthusiasm.
  • Staff know children well and support their development, leading to good progress.
  • Staff support children to be independent, encouraging self-feeding and risk management.
  • Children's behaviour is good and appropriate to their stage of development, building friendly relationships.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported through strong partnerships with professionals and meticulous use of funding.
  • Staff effectively monitor children's progress and plan a curriculum that introduces new experiences and knowledge.
  • Partnerships with parents and other settings are good, with parents kept informed and warmly welcomed to events.
  • Children lead healthy lifestyles, benefiting from organised enrichment activities including dance, yoga, and team games.

Areas to develop

  • 1Concentrate more sharply on implementing a sequenced approach to children's learning.
  • 2Refine the organisation of routines during the day to minimise waiting time for children.
  • 3Strengthen and embed the support for staff to adapt their teaching to precisely match the individual learning needs of children.
Inspection #10400175 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs/and or disabilities are well supported. Staff form strong partnerships with other professionals to focus on closing identified gaps in children's learning. Any additional funding the nursery receives is used meticulously to support children's individual needs.

Outdoor space

Children thoroughly enjoy time in the inviting outdoor areas.

Parent Reviews of Rookies Day Nursery

3.9
(7)
Hannah
6 years ago

My little girl has been coming to Rookies Day Nursery since May and I am amazed at how much she’s thrived since being in nursery.In such a short time she’s learnt to crawl, and is already confident enough to stand unaided! I have battled with weaning her onto solid foods, but the nursery has reassured me into progressing her each time. I love my updates on the tapestry system and my interactions of uploading what we’ve been up to at the weekend too! The manager is fantastic and I can’t praise the staff team enough. Thanks for your hard work!

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Ryan Dyke
a year ago

Absolutely fantastic nursery, my son loves all the classes they do throughout the week like yoga and dance. The staff are so professional and fill me with confidence knowing he's being looked after. I would highly recommend 10/10

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Bhumika Sebastian
3 years ago

By far one of the worst nurseries in Stevenage. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILDREN HERE. The staff are awful, apart from a FEW. If something is worrying you or concerning you dont bother phoning. They won't answer. They will lie. They dont email back. They dont even bother picking up the phones on the reception. My friend had a daughter here; they leave her with dry snot on her face, drag children around the rooms and have no compassionate care. When the staff are having a bad day so do all the children and its not fair. RUDE STAFF.

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sarah de quin
a year ago

I’d give this nursery 0 stars if I could ... one of the staff was caught dragging my grandson across a huge playroom from one end of the room to the other whilst he was on the floor and by his arm !!!!!!! When my self and his daddy picked him up he was really really upset could hardly take a breath and crying like we’d never witnessed before The incident was witnessed by another parent who made a complaint and the member of staff concerned and the manager were sacked . The police were involved . Obiosly he’s never been back and the family were terribly upset . DONT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE ! I’m an early years practitioner and know children should be looked after with love and care

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Rookies Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: July 2019

  • April 2025Good
  • July 2019Good

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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