Queens Nursery & Pre School

170-174 Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill IG9 5BD
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9.2 77 Reviews
  • Queens Nursery & Pre School, Buckhurst Hill
Queens Nursery and Pre School is an Ofsted Outstanding (June 2019) nursery in the heart of the Buckhurst Hill community. It is located on Buckhurst Hill High Street and Princes Road, just a five-minute walk from the Central Line Tube Station.

The nursery offers age-appropriate rooms and a large and small garden for children to explore. Each room is resourced with natural age-specific equipment to meet the children's developmental needs. The nursery follows the EYFS curriculum for the children to meet early learning goals before the transition to school.

Queens Nursery has excellent links with the local schools in the area. The teachers come in for stay and play sessions and take part in visits to schools for the children to ease their transition.

The nursery is also in the heart of the community and takes part in regular outings in the local area to local shops, restaurants, florist, doctors surgery, train station, pharmacy and dental surgery. Weekly forest school session is also undertaken by the forest trained team members.

There are daily extra-curricular activities for children to enjoy hosted by specialist teachers:

Monday - Yoga
Tuesday - Lingotots - French
Wednesday - Bongalong Music
Thursday - Phonics with Robot Reg
Friday - Super Star Sports

The nursery also welcomes regular visitors such as animal experiences, people that help the community such as fire fighters and guide dogs as well as parent partners who share with the children.

The online Famly learning app allows parents to track children's nursery life and development from the app and communicate directly with team members as well as uploading observations and photos from home.

Parents are actively involved in the nursery through constant communication and regular parent events.

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Care Provided by Queens Nursery & Pre School

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Kayleigh McAllister (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 20
  • Total Places for Children
  • 60
  • Age Range
    • from 1 years 6 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Queens Nursery & Pre School

  • £92-£95 per day

  • The nursery offers full day care with sessions from 7:30-6:30 or 8:00-6:00.
  • Parking

  • Parking is available either out on the main road or behind the nursery in their car park.


Queens Nursery & Pre School Reviews (77)

Total of 77, showing 61-77
9.2

Queens Nursery & Pre School has a Review Score of 9.2 (9.246) out of 10, based on 7 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Queens Nursery & Pre School has 77 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 72
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Date Published

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Review from Rachel G (Mother of Child) published on 28 October 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter attended queens nursery from the age of 18 months. They are fantastic. They helped with her development and has made her the amazing little girl she is today. Her key workers were amazing with her. Giving her the time and patience she needed. Her transition to big school was smooth and that’s
down to them. Thank you again to everyone.

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Review from L T (Mother of Child) published on 19 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5

My son attended both baby nursery and Queens Nursery. I only enrolled him into the baby nursery to get an automatic place to the Queens Nursery which is outstanding and very convenient for us. We had childcare in place but thought it would benefit him interacting with other children and adults. I have
to admit he did better in the baby nursery with some improvements but didn't really adjust to Queens Nursery life. He attended the latter for about three months but never really adjusted. He wasn't happy, I had issues: after three months I was told he never answers to his name and to investigate further. This Nursery just didn't suit him or me. I really didn't want to leave a review, but I am annoyed at the lack of communication and the efficiency of how things are run and I have a long list here. As I am typing this, I am still waiting for a refund due because they never informed me to stop the direct debit. Apparently, it was my duty to spot that I wasn't being sent emails for updates.

Reply from Elly Parsons, Nursery Manager at Queens Nursery & Pre School

Both Queens Nursery and Queens Baby Nursery are OFSTED, OUTSTANDING. The parent asked for more sessions when the child transferred to Queens Nursery in the first couple of months. In the review the parent states the child did not settle; the child settled very well and wanted to attend more sessions. The parent flagged up about the child’s name and we were already working hard on language development and so was our specialist support person. Our Parent and Carer Contract state clearly that parents must cancel standing orders. We can only cancel direct debits which we do not accept. Parents must cancel standing orders, all banks have this requirement. There were 3 attempts at a refund as two of the numbers were incorrect. We emailed the parent to show them the attempts to refund and also the confirmed refund well before the publication date of the 25th June. Please do look at our other reviews and our Outstanding Ofsted report.


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Review from Kathryn B (Mother of Child) published on 10 June 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are very happy with the care provided for our son at Queens. It is such a happy, caring and fun environment for the children with a great relationship between staff and parents. We are especially pleased with the additional activities available to the children from external groups such as theatre
and Spanish. The children also love their regular trips to the forest and library. It wasn't until we moved away from the area and looked at other nurseries that we realised how special Queens was, so much so that we decided to keep our son here until he leaves for school in September.

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Review from Lianne M (Mother of Child) published on 5 June 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Very happy with the overall service the nursery provides for my child. She is in very good care and the staff are friendly and have her best interests at heart. I know she's in safe hands when I drop her to nursery in the morning.

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Review from Victoria T (Mother of Child) published on 4 June 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have had two children attend Queens Nursery in Buckhurst Hill, and am continuously impressed at the standards and service provided. My eldest child transferred from a different nursery when we moved here 3 years ago, and it's allowed me to really see how great Queens Nursery is compared to its competitors.
Both my children have been really happy, interested, stimulated and settled at the nursery. They both love attending and have both come on leaps and bounds. All of the staff members are great - they're clearly passionate and knowledgeable in their roles, and are friendly and kind to the children. Thoroughly recommend!

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Review from Gemma C (Mother of Child) published on 4 June 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very pleased with the care provided by Queens. They do lots of different activities for the children, especially pleased with how they prepare the children for school - feeling confident my son will have the best possible start to school this September which is invaluable.

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Review from C L (Mother of Child) published on 13 February 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Queens Nursery is a very happy, stable and caring environment for our daughter. Our daughter loves going to pre-school and has developed so amazingly in her time here. The staff are always so helpful and friendly and we always feel comfortable with them. The manager has transformed both the baby nursery
and preschool, she is amazing at her job. We recommend this nursery and the baby nursery to all our friends.

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Review from S A (Mother of Child) published on 2 August 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been at Queens Preschool since he was 2 and he has flourished more than I could ever have hoped for. In particular, under the new management structure, I have gained greater transparency into my son's school day and this has been aided by frequent parent/child events where we are able to
actually see our children in the school environment.
The extra curricular activities have been thoroughly enjoyed especially French lessons every week, my son now has a good basic level of the language.
The staff are great with my son and have his best interests in mind. There are so many activities for him to enjoy and they are all age appropriate so as he has grown older, the tasks they have gotten more complex and this is great for challenging their abilities.
Queens is more than childcare, it has been a place where my son has thrived, learned and enjoyed going every day. We will be sad to say goodbye as he goes to primary school but I have no hesitation in recommending Queens.

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Review from Catherine L (Mother of Child) published on 24 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A truly lovely nursery - staff are highly caring about the children, which was the most important factor for us. My child really benefits from the amount of external trainers they get in as well - they have French, a 'Tappy Toes' dance class and Theatre Bugs - all of which he loves. Phonics is taught
to the older children, and staff make a great deal of effort preparing them for school (including school and teacher visits). Children are taught to be kind and respectful of one another. They have recently visited the fire station, the library and the chemists. Meals are well balanced and varied. The only down side is that the outdoor space is rather small, but they make the best of what they have and they get trips to the forest in good weather.


As both myself and my husband work full time, it is vital to us that our son is happy in his child care; he absolutely loves it at Queens, and has loved it all the way from the baby nursery up to the 'Grasshoppers' (3 plus) room.


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Review from Margi B (Mother of Child) published on 5 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been going to Queens for about 2 years now. I can easily say that Queens is " Home away from Home" for my son. He has a very strong bond with his key person and has made very good friends over there.


Lot of special activities are carried out in preschool and they go outdoors for trips

as well, giving kids loads of opportunities for learning.


The ambience in preschool is very friendly and happy. I would highly recommend this setting to any parent looking to raise their kids in a safe happy and healthy environment.


5 stars to all the staff for their constant efforts to make this place better.


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Review from Theodora G (Mother of Child) published on 29 June 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been with Queens Pre-School Day Nursery for nearly three years now and has always been always very happy and excited when attending every time. We are truly happy with the staff, the level of training and the bond that they are all creating with the children and of course the super friendly
the environment as a whole. I'd like to express our special thanks to the new manager who is constantly coming up with lots of fun and different educational activities and ideas to keep those little brains occupied. The parents are always well informed with all that is happening and will happen at the Nursery. That gives you a lot of confidence that your kids are well looked after and are in safe hands.
Let's not forget the food which is the main part of growing up and what has been offered at the Nursery is very healthy and very tasty. On behalf of my husband and I would like to say a big Thank you to everyone on this great team!

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Review from Niki G (Mother of Child) published on 26 June 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Queens succeeds in creating a great environment where staff are kind, considerate and genuinely interested in my daughter. It feels like a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment, which puts your mind at rest once you walk away.


Children are happy and have a strong bond with each other and their

key worker. My daughter is excited to be going to pre-school every morning and looks forward to the myriad of varied activities she engages in daily. Staff are attentive to my thoughts and suggestions and eagerly incorporate activities celebrating bubba's individuality and collaborating with us on her development.

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Review from Alexandra C (Mother of Child) published on 3 November 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has multiple food allergies and was hospitalised a lot when he was little. Queens have been brilliant at catering for his diet, allowing him to feel individual and part of the group at meal times. He is the youngest in the school year and very shy. The nursery at Queens has built his confidence,
encouraged learning and his development is amazing. I would like to thank all the staff for being so caring and taking such good care of our son. I also feel it is under excellent management and it is very easy to communicate with them.

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Review from Stephanie C (Mother of Child) published on 3 November 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son attended this pre-school since he was 2 years old, it was the best thing I could have done for him. All the staff are excellent and friendly. My son has learnt so much and made friends, and everyday spoke nothing but good grace about the staff. The lunches everyday were always enjoyed and nutritious.
I would not hesitate to recommend this pre-school to my friends, which I have done so already. My only regret: it how fast 2 years go by. Queens pre-school is greatly missed and will forever be in our hearts.

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Review from Sonia K (Mother of Child) published on 29 September 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We've had two children at Queens Pre-School Day Nursery and both have been extremely happy and well looked after. The standard of care is excellent as is the cooking according to the kids! The children perform a variety of activities everyday as well as regular classes such as theatre bugs, French and
yoga every week. The only minor criticism would be lack of outside space. There is a small garden which they use and has been decorated and designed well but it doesn't provide much space to run around. However I know the children visit the playground and library as well as having school trips to make up for this. All in all I recommend this pre school to anyone wanting safe, flexible care.

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Review from Milly C (Mother of Child) published on 29 September 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of my daughters have attended Queens Pre-School Day Nursery. We have had an outstanding experience and my eldest daughter has just started school, well prepared and confident in the next stage in her life. Queens Pre-School Day Nursery has a good blend of inclusive play and learning activities.
My kids always have fun with exciting elements such as "theatre bugs" and yoga. The food is healthy and tasty. The leadership and staff are experienced, caring and know how to support children at an individual level. They clearly enjoy their jobs and many have been with the nursery for a while providing stability. The senior staff are responsive, skilled and very approachable. I have nothing but good things to say about Queens Pre-School Day Nursery.

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Review from Lorraine F (Mother of Child) published on 25 September 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The nursery is very good at helping the children deal with separation issues, getting them used to doing the important starting out things like pouring, dressing, drawing, using a computer. It is a fun nursery and they make sure your child is well cared for and looked after. The older part of the nursery
'The Grasshopper' was particularly good.

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Current Review Score: 9.2 (9.246)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.2 (9.246) out of 10 for Queens Nursery & Pre School is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 7 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.3 out of 5 from 7 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.963 for Queens Nursery & Pre School is calculated as follows: ( (79 Excellents x 5) + (3 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 82 Ratings = 4.963

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 4.283 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Queens Nursery & Pre School is based on 7 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 3.7

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 60 number of registered child places is 12. 7 Positive Reviews ÷ 12 = 0.583

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (3)

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Meet the Team (10)

Kayleigh

Kayleigh McAllister

Job Title: Nursery Coordinator

Joined: 2016

Kayleigh is the Nursery Coordinator and Nursery Manager.
She has been working with the Children-First company for over six years and she supports all three nurseries in providing an outstanding learning environment for children.


Alexandria

Alexandria Swan

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2023

Alex is our Queens Nursery Deputy Manager.


She has over 10 years of childcare experience and is also our health and safety lead. She works with our management team to create a nursery environment in which children are confident, settled and happy.


Katie

Katie Walls

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2023

Katie is the Deputy Manager of Queens Pre-School.


Katie is a very experienced practitioner who uses her experience to provide excellent experiences for children in the nursery.


Bethany

Bethany Howard

Job Title: Junior Deputy Manager

Joined: 2017

Bethany is a skilled level 3 practitioner who has led our Preschool room for many years. Bethany runs our preschool enrichment programme and leads school readiness and transitions. She organises visits from local schools and teachers to support the children in the next stage of learning.


Georgia

Georgia Walker

Job Title: Junior Deputy Manager and Room Leader

Joined: 2016

Georgia is an exceptional level 3 practitioner in our Butterflies room. She sets up exciting activities daily to spark awe and wonder in children's learning.


Frankie

Frankie Live Bright Yoga

Job Title: Yoga Teacher

Baby Yoga and Yoga lessons offer children opportunities to take part in a range of large and new Yoga movements and is led by a qualified Yoga teacher. Children enjoy moving, breathing and stretching and trying new Yoga positions with the support of Nursery workers and the Yoga teacher, whilst listening to sounds, music, nursery rhymes or pretending to be animals. The children benefit from opportunities to explore being calm too. Yoga practice encourages early mindfulness in children’s development which leads to enhanced wellbeing.


Mandy

Mandy Lingotots

Job Title: French Teacher

Lingotots is a multi award winning and accredited children’s French programme which the children really enjoy. Classes are interactive and fun, yet based on sound educational research. Learning is through songs, stories, games, drama and play. During Lingotots lessons 100% French is spoken, but due to the teachers skills and expertise everyone understands. The lessons are carefully planned and led by expert teachers and engage children to learn French using a carefully tried and tested methodology with visuals and actions whilst learning nursery rhymes, colours, key words, movements and body part names in French.


Fiona

Fiona Bongalong

Job Title: Music and Make Believe Teacher

Bongalong provides fun and engaging singing, dance and drama sessions for the children to enjoy together whilst at Nursery. These stimuli in the early years of children’s lives ensure development of creativity along with costumes and props to enhance creativity development. Proper musical instruments are used to create quality, unique sounds for “A little piece of theatre every week.” The highly experienced teachers encourage musicality in children by offering experiences of new sounds and rhythm. Songs and rhymes support speech and language development. Action songs and movement support co-ordination. Musical games encourage listening skills and exploration of instruments supports listening skills of sounds and effect. The sessions support all children in group activity developing confidence, communication and social skills in the children.


Rachel

Rachel Robot Reg

Job Title: Phonics with Robot Reg

Our Robot Reg teacher delivers a fun filled, confidence building, active and educational class, by teaching early phonics. Phonics is the cornerstone of success in all subjects, and is taught in such a fabulously fun way that children don’t even realise that they’re learning! The lessons gives children a real head start! Phonics is the method used in UK schools to teach reading and writing. My Minis sessions are for ages 1 - 2.5 and the Preschool sessions are for ages 2.5 - 5. Phonics with Robot Reg is the brainchild of sisters Charlie Day and Alex Burnside. Alex, a former primary school teacher with 10 years, experience in Early Years, created the classes with the aim to equip pre-schoolers with the phonics skills to open up a world of literacy to them and to ensure that they are ready as they begin their reading and writing journey at school.


Deborah

Deborah Mears

Job Title: Drama Teacher

A Little Dramatic is a fun, highly engaging class for children aged 3-5, that educates and provides great opportunities for your child to develop through Drama.


Run by Deborah Mears, Primary Drama Officer for National Drama with over 15 years teaching experience.


Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Queens Nursery & Pre School to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Queens Nursery & Pre School has a Platinum Service – more info.