Northwood Day Nursery
OutstandingBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Northwood for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in April 2023. Open since 2002, with 45 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
HA6 3HPWhat 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, 6 April 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are welcomed by exceptionally happy, motivated and nurturing staff practitioners. They form close and trusting bonds with their key workers and the rest of the team in each room. Toddlers immerse themselves in learning as they make Easter eggs out of play dough. They discuss it in detail with the staff as they follow their instructions. For example, they explain that the eggs are 'oval'. They make pretend cups of tea for the staff and ask them to 'blow at it', competently understanding the risks associated with having hot drinks.
Children's language and vocabulary are exceptional. For example, older children take part in self-regulation activities explaining to the inspector that it helps them to 'calm down when they get too excited'. As children become more confident, staff support them to interact purposefully, encouraging them to think about how they are feeling. As a result, children develop an excellent awareness of their emotions.
Babies interact exceptionally well, and their needs are understood through verbal communication and body language. Children enjoy time to think and respond to staff, who fully understand the value of promoting their communication skills.
- 6 April 2023Outstanding
- 21 August 2017Good
- 11 January 2017Needs improvement
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Northwood Day Nursery
- 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.