Annabel's Montessori School
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Welwyn Garden City for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in November 2024. Open since 2016, with 40 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Hertfordshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Hertfordshire 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
AL7 1DHWhat 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, 29 November 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children settle quickly as they arrive at the setting. They are greeted warmly by the staff and become engaged in activities. Children display strong bonds with the staff and seek them out for comfort as needed. When children become unsettled, staff are on hand to offer reassuring cuddles and provide them with a safe space. There is a lovely atmosphere within the setting. The calm and nurturing practice from the staff team supports new children effectively.
Staff create activities that not only follow the Montessori approach, but also children's interests. Children remain at activities for long periods and demonstrate how much they enjoy being at the setting. Children relish the opportunities to make independent choices in their learning. They move around the room freely, and when children find it difficult to make choices, staff support them by introducing them to activities and demonstrating how to complete them.
Staff are positive role models for children. They talk to them at their level and are respectful in their approach. Children have a good understanding of the settings rules and staff expectations, which makes it easy for them to follow. Good behaviour is celebrated, and when children need reminders, this is done in a pleasant manner.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- help staff to develop consistency in the quality of their teaching and interactions to build on children's communication and language development n increase the monitoring of staff practice to develop their knowledge and understanding so that children benefit from consistently good quality learning experiences.
- 29 November 2024Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 14 January 2019Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Annabel's Montessori School
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- 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
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.