Early Birds, Night Owls & Little Ladybirds Pre-School
OutstandingBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Bishop'S Stortford for children from birth to 8+, open 09:00 to 17:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in May 2025. Open since 2022, with 80 places.
What it costs
Prices change without notice. Treat these as what to ask about, not a quote.
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
CM23 2NLWhat 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, 23 May 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children enter the setting extremely confident and self-assured, having developed strong trusting bonds with the staff. Children have a natural desire to learn from the moment they enter the setting. Staff plan an excellent range of learning experiences for children to choose from and which are designed to ignite and enhance their interests. For example, children expertly construct masterpieces in the building area, reconfiguring them until they are exactly right.
Staff have an expert knowledge of their key children. They design a purposeful curriculum based on children's interests and emerging curiosity. Children work in teams, acting out the 'Going on a Bear Hunt' story. They become hunters and explorers in the garden, seeking out bears. They work together to build cars with tyres and crates, using their physical skills. Staff model language at every opportunity, which means children have exceptional language skills. Children say,
'Wait for me', as they run to join in games with their friends.
- 23 May 2025Outstanding Safeguarding: Yes
Still missing for Early Birds, Night Owls & Little Ladybirds 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.