The Hermitage Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Ruddington for children from birth to 5, open 08:00 to 16:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in July 2023. Open since 1967, 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 Nottinghamshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Nottinghamshire 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
NG11 6ELWhat 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 July 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive and bang on the door, eager to enter this friendly, caring preschool. They wave to their friends and ask, 'Do you want to play with me?'
Activities quickly captivate children's interest. Children become excited to make sandcastles. They work together to find objects hidden in sand. Younger children link train tracks together and line up their favourite engines. Older children use their imaginations to pretend to be teachers. They walk around with clipboards and hold up alphabet cards to 'test' their friends. Children notice letters of their name and remark, 'That is a curly c.'
Children are very happy and self-confident. They make firm friendships and show real affection towards each other. They hold hands and give each other spontaneous hugs. Routines help children to feel safe and secure. Children stand still when they hear bells ringing and explain that it is tidy-up time. They line up to go outside and know the importance of holding on to 'snake ropes' to ensure their safety. Staff give clear instructions and advice. For example, they model and explain how to pour drinks and chop fruit at snack times. This helps children to develop confidence and proficiency in learning new skills.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen children's capacity to become fully engaged in their learning without unnecessary distractions.
- 19 July 2023Good
- 11 December 2017Good
- 11 December 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Hermitage 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.