Grove Cottage
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Bishop'S Stortford for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in June 2024. Open since 2008, with 15 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
CM23 3JXWhat 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, 19 June 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive happy and are excited to enter this unique nursery. They develop very strong relationships with staff, who know them exceptionally well. Staff follow children's individual routines meticulously, which helps children to settle and feel safe and secure at the nursery. The managers and staff have a strong understanding of how children with special educational needs and/or disabilities
(SEND) learn. The curriculum is differentiated, with teaching tailored to each child's specific learning needs and preferences. Staff closely follow children's interests and build on what they already know and can do. This means that children are supported to achieve to the best of their capabilities.
Children are learning how to do things for themselves. Staff help children to choose using words, signing and visual aids. Their firm, but fair, approach enables children to express their views and ask for help. Strong relationships between children and their key persons are evident. When children find some situations overwhelming, their key persons offer positive reassurance. This results in children quickly feeling calm and re-engaging in play and learning. Children help to tidy up and put away their place mats after snack. Some do this very independently, while others are supported by staff to achieve.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- enhance the arrangements for supervision of staff to further support their ongoing development.
- 19 June 2024Good
- 4 July 2018Good
- 22 October 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Grove Cottage
- 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.