Busy Bees Day Nursery at St Albans Glenalmond
Good★ 4.7 on GoogleBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in St. Albans for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 18:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in March 2023. Open since 1998, with 120 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
AL3 4APWhat 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.
- 6 May 2026 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 21 December 2023 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 6 October 2022 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 30 March 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children of all ages enjoy the time they spend in this friendly nursery. They engage deeply in numerous learning opportunities in an extensive, stimulating environment. For example, children enhance their knowledge of nature by exploring the woodland trails in the vast outdoor area. They regularly spend time creating sculptures and paintings in the well-equipped art area.
Children of all ages show high levels of independence. Staff support this by encouraging children to complete age-appropriate tasks. For example, babies learn to feed themselves at mealtimes. Toddlers learn to complete essential hygiene routines, such as wiping their noses, with little support from adults. Pre-school children lay the table and pour their own drinks at mealtimes. They clear away their own plates and cups once finished. These tasks prepare them well for the routines of school.
Children across the nursery are confident. They engage well with visitors, chatting to them enthusiastically and welcoming them into their play. For example, preschool children are keen to discuss their favourite activities and resources at the nursery. Staff support children's self-esteem well. They encourage children to write down their accomplishments and hang these on their 'positivity tree' for everyone to see and celebrate.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- build on staff's knowledge of how to support toddlers' emerging language skills n ensure that staff in the pre-school room are fully supported to deliver consistent development opportunities that enable all children to engage well in routines and activities.
- 30 March 2023Good
- 22 August 2017Good
- 15 November 2016Needs improvement
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Busy Bees Day Nursery at St Albans Glenalmond
- 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.