Potten End Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A pre-school in Berkhamsted for children from birth to 5, 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 June 2024. Open since 2016, with 26 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
HP4 2QWWhat 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, 13 June 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are curious, enthusiastic learners. They embrace the activities and resources that staff set out for them, which link to a well-planned curriculum. For example, children use large magnets to find different objects made of metal. They are fascinated to feel the force caused when magnets repel each other. Staff explain to them what is happening and encourage them to see what happens when they turn one of the magnets around. Children show their friends what they have found out, helping them consolidate the new information staff have given them.
Children who prefer to learn outside are able to build on what they already know and understand. They look at the tomato and strawberry plants they previously began to grow. Clear pictures show them the stages the tomato plants go through.
They talk to staff about what they can see and discuss what should happen next.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- find ways for the trustees to develop a clear overview of the pre-school to help them hold the manager and staff to account for the quality of care and education n support staff to find even more exciting and memorable ways to teach children about different communities from around the world in which they live.
- 13 June 2024Good
- 26 September 2018Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Potten End 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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.