Bayford Pre School
OutstandingBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Hertford for children from birth to 5, open 09:00 to 15:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in September 2025. Open since 2011, with 25 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
SG13 8PXWhat 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, 15 September 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thrive in this highly responsive and nurturing pre-school. Staff deliver a highly ambitious curriculum that is tailored to the precise needs of children and acknowledges their unique learning styles. Staff work collaboratively together to provide an environment that sparks children's curiosity and motivates them to explore and learn. Staff provide a wealth of rich experiences. Children are encouraged to explore emotions through puppets. They link colours to feelings, such as anger and sadness, and discuss scenarios from their own experiences.
They express themselves confidently, promoting self-awareness and understanding of feelings. Staff's sensitive support helps to develop resilient children who are prepared to manage and regulate different emotions in their lives.
Staff promote children's behaviour exceptionally well. They act as positive role models and reinforce the pre-school's values, which help children to be kind and considerate to their friends. Children's voices are clearly valued and respected throughout the pre-school. Staff promote democracy as they encourage children to choose songs at group time. 'Show and tell' sessions provide opportunity for children to share achievements and celebrate success. Staff embed cultural understanding for children. They learn about diverse festivals, explore different abilities through role play and small-world activities, and involve families to bring authentic experiences into the setting. Children develop empathy, social awareness and respect for diversity through these purposeful experiences.
- 15 September 2025Outstanding Safeguarding: Yes
- 20 November 2019Good
- 13 May 2016Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Bayford Pre 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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.