St Albans Steiner Kindergarten
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in St Albans 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 2022. Open since 1992, with 20 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
AL1 4LQWhat 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, 30 November 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children develop strong nurturing relationships with staff at this warm, welcoming kindergarten. They separate from carers well and are keen to explore the many activities available to them. Children have a positive attitude to learning and display high levels of enjoyment and curiosity. They find creative way to use the many natural resources. Children carefully gather objects in a basket and talk about it being Egyptian treasure that they have found in a pyramid. Other children choose to dress up and make up games based on their experiences. They know how to discuss and negotiate as they work out what characters they will be. Children play together very well and strong friendships are being made. The behaviour of all children is excellent.
The highest priority is given to children's health and well-being. Children enjoying spending time outdoors. They are active as they work their ways round obstacle courses and uses balance bikes. Children have healthy diets. They learn about ingredients in food as they make bread. Children enjoy kneading the dough and talk about what shapes their bread roll will be. Snack times are relaxed and highly social occasions. Children are thoughtful and caring as they invite visitors to join in.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- continue to support all members of staff to develop their understanding of how to extend children's learning through play activities.
- 30 November 2022Good
- 13 December 2016Good
- 19 May 2016Needs improvement
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for St Albans Steiner Kindergarten
- 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.