Whanau Day Nursery Harpenden
Good★ 1.0 on GoogleBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in Harpenden for children from birth to 5, open 07:30 to 18:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2022. Open since 2009, with 55 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
AL5 2HUWhat 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, 1 February 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children enjoy their time at the nursery and are happy and settled. They are building a good understanding of their feelings and are kind to one another. For instance, they help look for favourite toys and hand these to their friends. Children develop independence, for example, as they make decisions about what to play with. They reflect the staff's positive approach and eagerly try new challenges. For example, young children stack wooden blocks and then try to stack wooden pebbles. Children enjoy using the well-planned space. Babies crawl and pull themselves up to standing, helping to develop their physical skills.
Children have good relationships with their peers and with staff. The owners were sensitive to the possible effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns and implemented good procedures to minimise any adverse effects on children's development. For example, they remained in contact with families, provided ideas for home activities and kept up with children's experiences during this time. Children gain a practical understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy. They talk with staff about how different foods affect their bodies, and particularly their teeth. Children recognise risks, such as noting that the floor could be slippery following an activity involving flour.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- develop staff's understanding of how to consistently support children to explore, experiment and find things out for themselves n extend the partnerships with other childcare providers caring for the children, to help gain a full understanding of children's development and needs.
- 1 February 2022Good
- 25 August 2016Good
- 18 February 2013Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Whanau Day Nursery Harpenden
- 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.