Bedford Road Preschool
GoodTakes funded hoursBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Letchworth Garden City for from 2 years up to 5 year olds, open 09:00 to 14:00, 5 days a week. £6.00 an hour, and they take the funded hours. Rated Good by Ofsted in November 2024. Open since 2022, with 26 places.
What it costs
Prices change without notice. Treat these as what to ask about, not a quote.
Our fees are £6.00 per hour
One published rate. What you pay depends on the days you need and the funded hours you can claim.
Funded hours
Free early education 2 yr olds; 2 year old funding; children starting the term after their 3rd birthday.
Worth knowing. £10 Non Refundable Enrolment Fee is a voluntary payment for children starting the term after their 3rd birthday and those in receipt of 2 year old funding; £6 per Term snack fee is payable at the beginning of each term (the term after your childs 3rd birthday) and is a voluntary contribution.
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
SG6 4DUWhat 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, 21 November 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children enjoy the welcoming environment of the pre-school, where staff prioritise children's individual needs and interests. Children arrive happily and settle quickly with support and reassurance from the nurturing staff. Staff recognise and respond to children's emotional needs, ensuring they feel safe and secure. This strong foundation helps children to explore their surroundings confidently and engage with their peers.
Building positive relationships with children and families is central to the staff's approach. Staff use home visits to learn about children's routines, interests and family dynamics, which helps them create a personalised and supportive environment. Displays of children's families further strengthen their sense of belonging, helping them feel part of the pre-school community. Staff take time to listen and respond thoughtfully to children, creating an environment where they feel valued and supported.
Children enjoy meaningful and exciting activities that encourage exploration and discovery. They investigate ice and water, sparking curiosity and creativity as they ask questions about 'how' and 'why'. Activities are appropriate for children's interests and abilities, helping them stay engaged and motivated. Staff encourage children to try new things, practise skills and build on their existing knowledge, helping them progress with their learning.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- develop the use of daily routines to increase opportunities for children to develop self-help skills and independence n ensure that all staff implement consistent behaviour management procedures so that all children gain clear and consistent messages about what is expected of them.
- 21 November 2024Good
Still missing for Bedford Road Preschool
- Meals
- Nappies
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.
- Is £6.00 an hour still the rate? 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.
- Do you have a place for a child of my age now? 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.