Almonds Pre-school
GoodTakes funded hoursBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Bromham for children from birth to 5, open 09:00 to 13:00, 5 days a week. They take the funded hours. They do not publish prices, so ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in October 2022. Open since 1992, with 66 places.
What it costs
Prices change without notice. Treat these as what to ask about, not a quote.
Funded hours
15 hours per week over a 38 week period from the term following their third birthday; some Working Families can access up to 30 hours free childcare; funding is also available for some two year old children.
Worth knowing. These hours are flexible and can be used for lunch sessions.
What childcare usually costs in Bedford
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Bedford from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
MK43 8JPWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 7 October 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this friendly, welcoming pre-school. They benefit from warm interactions from nurturing, familiar staff and they demonstrate close attachments. Children demonstrate that they feel safe at pre-school. Staff use children's interests to build a curriculum that stimulates their curiosity. For example, children use their imagination as they take part in role play activities using 'vet' resources and a selection of animals.
Children demonstrate a positive attitude towards learning as they become fully engrossed in activities. For example, young children show high levels of engagement as they take part in a music session. They listen carefully and follow instructions accurately. They learn about the different sounds that a range of instruments can make and sing a selection of nursery rhymes. This helps children develop their speech and language skills.
Children behave very well. They learn to listen and follow instructions accurately, from a young age. Staff encourage children to resolve any minor conflicts independently as they observe and monitor. This helps children to develop their social skills and build friendships. Children develop their independence and selfcare skills. For example, they learn to put on their coats and shoes and pour their own drinks using jugs.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- provide more opportunities for children to learn about equality and diversity and prepare them for life in modern Britain n seek training opportunities to develop staff's skills and knowledge, to raise the quality of teaching to the highest levels.
- 7 October 2022Good
- 29 November 2016Good
- 11 September 2012Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Almonds Pre-school
- What it costs
- Youngest age taken
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
Some of this is above, from the setting or from parents, and it can go out of date. The rest is in no dataset anywhere. Either way it is worth ten minutes on the phone.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- How do you apply my funded hours? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.