Hunsdon Ducklings
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Hunsdon for children from birth to 8+, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in November 2024. Open since 1995, with 16 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
SG12 8NTWhat 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, 8 November 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are happy and relaxed at this warm and friendly setting. When they arrive, staff greet them with kindness and immediately engage in lively chatter. Children are developing a strong sense of belonging. Staff recognise the importance of emotional security and have created a home-from-home setting. Children use the self-registration process to mark their arrival and enjoy looking at their family photos throughout the day. New children are supported with sensitivity and patience by caring staff who ensure that children feel safe and secure and can find their way.
Children behave well. Staff have clear expectations and these are regularly praised and spoken about. Consequently, children show respect and listen well to staff.
Children play well together. Joyous laughter is heard as children hunt for worms in the soil and snip herbs for their 'potions'. Staff help children to manage low-level conflict through ongoing reminders about sharing and taking turns.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to connect new vocabulary with real-life experiences that help children understand and apply meaning to the new words they hear n review arrangements for snack time to reduce interruptions to children's play, ensuring that children have opportunity to remain deeply engaged in their play and learning and sustain levels of concentration.
- 8 November 2024Good
- 4 February 2019Good
- 9 March 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Hunsdon Ducklings
- 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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.