Barley Barn Sawbridgeworth
OutstandingBirth to 5Long established
A day nursery in Sawbridgworth for children from birth to 5, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in February 2024. Open since 2014, with 73 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
CM21 9ANWhat 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.
- 14 September 2026 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 17 June 2026 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 21 February 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Leaders and staff plan and implement a highly ambitious curriculum that continually inspires, engages and motivates children to learn. This helps them to make exceptional progress from their starting points. Children quickly become highly confident communicators. They use increasingly complex words and sentences to share their thoughts and ideas. For example, pre-school children describe the harmful effect of rubbish on the ocean and sea life. Staff cleverly introduce further activities to support children's conversational skills as they encourage them to consider how they can recycle at nursery. Younger children use their developing language to explain what they have drawn on their pictures. They narrate their play as they create models using play dough and fresh flowers. Staff introduce related words, such as 'scent' and 'petal', to help children extend their vocabulary even further.
Children's behaviour is exceptional. Staff continually praise and encourage children to help them learn to respect each other, share and take turns. Babies show high levels of cooperation and patience as they sit side by side on staff's laps to listen to a story. Toddlers show high levels of care and concern when they see their friends upset. They find children's own 'family' books, which they gently give to their friends, helping to soothe and reassure them. Toddlers tackle challenge with a highly positive attitude and determination. Toy animals frozen in ice are quickly freed, and staff narrate children's actions, helping to develop their range of words.
- 21 February 2024Outstanding
- 5 April 2018Good
- 18 May 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Barley Barn Sawbridgeworth
- 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.