Bunnies Preschool (Shephall)
GoodTakes funded hoursBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in Stevenage for from 2 years up to 5 year olds, open 09:00 to 15:00, 5 days a week. They take the funded hours. They do not publish prices, so ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in May 2024. Open since 2010, with 40 places.
What it costs
Prices change without notice. Treat these as what to ask about, not a quote.
Funded hours
All children are entitled to 15 hours FREE preschool education the term after they turn three. Working parents of children aged 3 and 4 may be entitled to claim 30 hours per week, subject to conditions. Funded places for 2 year olds are also available, subject to conditions.
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
SG2 9PPWhat 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.
- 19 July 2024 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 24 May 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
The manager and staff create an exciting learning environment that supports children to settle swiftly and remain engaged in play throughout their day. They have a deep understanding of the children in their care and their early experiences.
This enables staff to plan interesting learning opportunities that children may not otherwise receive. For example, children become absorbed in creating their own sensory garden. Staff encourage them to discuss the different colours and fragrances. Children delight in exploring the soil and collecting water in watering cans to feed their plants.
Children develop close bonds with one another and show consideration for their friends. For example, they create a human train on the balancing beam. Older children support their younger friends. They hold their hands and offer guidance and reassurance to complete the task safely. Staff encourage these respectful relationships and positive behaviours. They consistently recognise and praise children's kind behaviour and establish clear boundaries and rules, which children adhere to well.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- promote children's critical thinking skills by allowing them sufficient time to respond to thought-provoking questions and explore their ideas further n enhance current methods of coaching and mentoring to support staff to deliver consistently high-quality teaching opportunities.
- 24 May 2024Good
- 10 July 2018Good
- 4 November 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Bunnies Preschool (Shephall)
- What it costs
- 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
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.
- 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.