Opening hours
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Squirrel Nurseries (Watford Lanchester)
Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2022)
Number of places
42 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2022
Local authority
Hertfordshire
About this day nursery
Squirrels Nursery in Watford Lanchester, established in September 2015, is a 40-place facility catering to babies and children aged 3 months to 5 years. Situated within the historic Lanchester building on the West Herts College campus, the nursery maintains a strong partnership with Lanchester Primary School, aiming for a seamless transition for children into their reception year.
The nursery offers funded places for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds, with additional hours available between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Recognised for its commitment to high standards, Squirrels Watford Lanchester received a "Good" rating from Ofsted in February 2022, continuously striving for excellence in care and education.
The nursery emphasises a play-based learning approach, recognising its crucial role in helping young children understand the world, develop socially and emotionally, and build confidence for their future. They adhere to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, which guides their efforts in supporting children's rapid growth, development, and learning from birth to age five.
Parents are encouraged to apply online or request a prospectus to learn more about the nursery's offerings.
Our ethos
Play is vital for children. Quite literally. It’s through play that babies and young children learn, grow and have fun. It helps them understand the world and to develop socially and emotionally. From the age of birth to five, children grow, develop and learn rapidly. They are constantly coming into contact with new experiences which they try to understand. Well planned play is central to children’s learning at this age. That way learning is both challenging and fun.
What it's like
Children settle well and enjoy coming to nursery. They play well alongside and with their friends. Children are able to develop a range of skills to help them for future learning through a curriculum that is ambitious and supports them to embed core skills.
Play-based learningEYFS curriculumPartnership with local primary schoolOfsted rated Good
Pricing & funding
Charges are calculated on an hourly basis for any hours exceeding funding entitlements, with meals billed as an additional daily charge. Fees are payable during all absences, including holidays and sickness. No sibling discounts are offered.
Funding accepted
30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-oldsTax-Free Childcare
Good to know
- Four working weeks notice is required to cancel a nursery place.
- Fees remain payable for all periods of absence, including illness and holidays.
- No sibling discounts are available.
- Fees do not include nappies or formula milk.
- Late collection fees apply for pick-ups after 6pm.
Key facts
Age range
3 months to 5 years
Term time / All Year
Mixed
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Squirrel Nurseries (Watford Lanchester)
Last inspected 22 February 2022 · Naomi Brown
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 settle well and enjoy coming to nursery. They play well alongside and with their friends. Children are able to develop a range of skills to help them for future learning through a curriculum that is ambitious and supports them to embed core skills.
Inspector highlights
- Staff understand children's home lives and experiences well, helping them to care for children with varying needs.
- Leaders have a clear vision for the future of the nursery and provide considerable support to the manager.
- Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well catered for as staff find out their needs when they first start.
- Children's literacy development is strong, with children of all ages enjoying exploring stories with staff.
- Staff understand children's emotional needs and take time to help build resilience.
Areas to develop
- 1help staff to manage larger groups of younger children, to enable them to respond more successfully to these children's spontaneous interests
- 2review the organisation of large-group activities, particularly at times of transition, to help staff to support children to be more equally engaged at these times.
Inspection #10221341 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
they are very pleased with the care and education that their children receive
appreciate how staff have kept in touch with them, including times where parents have not come into the setting because of COVID- 19 restrictions
enjoy taking home activities and resources that help them to build on things their children have done at nursery
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well catered for as staff find out their needs when they first start. Staff work closely with outside professionals and with parents to implement plans to support these children's learning.
Outdoor space
Children particularly enjoy the outdoor area. They lift large planks and blocks as they construct a raised walkway, developing their upper body strength and solving problems.
EAL / language support
Children link words that start with the same sound, such as 'cat' and 'carpet' and staff help them find the rhyming word 'mat' to help them to explore and play with words. Such activities support the development of all children, including those who speak English as an additional language.
Inspection history
Date: August 2016
- February 2022Good
- August 2016Good
Frequently asked about Squirrel Nurseries (Watford Lanchester)
About the setting
Squirrel Nurseries (Watford Lanchester) was registered in 2014 and is one of six nurseries managed by Squirrels Day Nursery Limited. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff, with three holding appropriate early years qualifications at level 6, including the manager. It opens from Monday to Friday for 48 weeks of the year, with sessions from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children and supports children who speak English as an additional language.
- URN
- EY484065
- Registered person
- Squirrels Day Nurseries (Watford) 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
- Good
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