Ladybirds Nursery

Birch Centre Hill End Lane, St Albans AL4 0RA
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9.9 101 Reviews
  • Ladybirds Nursery, St Albans
Ladybirds Nursery welcomes babies and children from 3 months to 5 years of age to tranquil surroundings in a parkland setting. It opened in 2003 and is owned and managed by two experienced early years teachers who lead a loyal staff team.

Parents can be confident their child enjoys a broad and balanced curriculum, with both indoor and outdoor play contributing to early development. Staff aim to promote an eagerness to learn, while supporting independent thinking and self confidence.

The aim is to lay the foundations for full-time education by cherishing the importance of the early years.

Please contact the team for their Babybird brochure.

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Care Provided by Ladybirds Nursery

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Michelle Gee (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 20
  • Total Places for Children
  • 61
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays

Funding & Fees Guide for Ladybirds Nursery

  • Please contact us for a copy of our current fees or for any information on funding.

  • We offer a discount % for full time places.

Ladybirds Nursery Reviews (101)

Total of 101, showing 61-80
9.9

Ladybirds Nursery has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.879) out of 10, based on 11 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Ladybirds Nursery has 101 reviews.

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Review from Sandra K (Grandmother of Child) published on 26 July 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My grandson and granddaughter have attended Ladybirds since they were babies over the past six years. I have been most impressed with the nursery and how well they were both looked after right from the start. All the staff are so dedicated and obviously very happy in their jobs. The children have done
such interesting things over the years and with the position of the nursery (in a park) that they've always been taken out in the fresh air to play.

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Review from Gyp T (Father of Child) published on 26 July 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Ladybirds nursery has been the most amazing experience for my daughter.
All the teachers have been amazing, so loving and caring. My daughter has learnt so much over the last two years and made so many friends. I would really like to thank you all for your amazing work, I will always recommend you
guys.

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Review from Rob V (Father of Child) published on 13 September 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have had an extremely positive experience of Ladybirds nursery. Both our daughters went there, from 9 months old through to pre-school and the nursery has given them a solid foundation for starting school. Pre-school, in particular, is excellent, it closely mirrors the experience of going to school
in Reception which has made the transition to school much easier than we expected.


The best thing about Ladybirds though is the warm and caring nature of the staff throughout the nursery. Our girls were always happy going into nursery and always felt secure, largely due to the very positive relationships they had with all the staff. We feel very lucky to have had such an excellent nursery for our girls and would highly recommend it to prospective parents.


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Review from Emma H (Mother of Child) published on 13 September 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our two daughters and son have all been through Ladybirds nursery and have had a wonderful time there. The staff fully support the children to be confident and independent which makes for an easy transition to Primary School. We receive feedback after every session and we love Tapestry which is an
online password protected learning journal with photos/videos.


Ladybirds has been a part of our family life for 10 years and we are sad to be moving on! We would highly recommend Ladybirds to other parents.


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Review from Edel T (Mother of Child) published on 7 September 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Ladybirds Nursery is an excellent nursery and preschool, we cannot fault it. Staff are very caring and there is a lovely community between staff, children and parents.

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Review from Vicky (Mother of Child) published on 7 September 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Two of my children have had a wonderful experience at Ladybirds Preschool. The staff are warm and attentive. A great deal of care is taken to structure sessions so they are educational, stimulating and fun. There is a big emphasis on getting the children to listen and share ideas which have meant
the transitional to reception has been very easy for both my boys. I would highly recommend Ladybirds to anyone!

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Review from Laura W (Mother of Child) published on 7 September 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of my children have been through Ladybirds Nursery, with a 3 year age gap. It was lovely to see so many of the same staff still there on our second time around. That is a testament to them and the environment. The surroundings are lovely with at least one trip out to Highfield park each day no
matter what the weather so you always know that your children have had fresh air and a good run around. The pre-school is fabulous and has set up both of my children extremely well for starting school. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a small nursery where each child is encouraged to be an individual and can thrive in a caring environment.

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Review from K G (Mother of Child) published on 11 August 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The nursery provides great care for my child. They offer a wide range of activities and are creative in use of toys and materials to keep things interesting.
There is lots of outside time with good use of the garden and the park. At handover, I get a brief update on the day's activities and how she
has been and who she has played with.
Encouragement received by my daughter to increase confidence which has been great.

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Review from Dave P (Father of Child) published on 9 August 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Ladybirds Nursery is a wonderful place. My daughter has really enjoyed the last year there. She has learnt so much from general knowledge to phonics and numbers. She has also met some great friends and most importantly learnt social skills that have prepared her well for infants. We would not hesitate
in recommending Ladybirds Nursery for the outstanding nursery it is on the teaching in the environment and on the basis that they teach having fun whilst learning!

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Review from C B (Mother of Child) published on 4 August 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Leaving my 7 month at Ladybirds was hard after maternity leave but the team at the nursery made it so much easier for me. They helped and advised me in terms of introducing solids, how to help when he's poorly and his development. He adores his key worker and her colleagues, which makes it so much easier
to leave him.

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Review from Joanne P (Mother of Child) published on 26 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Ladybirds is simply, an amazing nursery. My children attended between 2009-2017, and it was the best decision I made. Ladybirds became home from home for my children, and they were as happy and as cared for as they would have been at home - indeed, probably more so because they wouldn't have had half
the opportunities they had at nursery (messy play, anyone?!).


I cannot praise the staff highly enough. They know - and treat - each child as an individual. Routines are catered for, peculiarities (the child's and mine!) taken into account and children are looked after in a nurturing, loving and safe environment. The Pre-School is simply incredible and really prepares the child for a smooth transition to school.


The setting in Highfield Park means that the children can go out every day, to a variety of woodland/park settings. They are free to explore, in a safe setting, and get exercise and fresh air.


I would not hesitate to recommend Ladybirds wholeheartedly to anyone.


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Review from Claudio P (Father of Child) published on 26 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are very happy to have sent my son to Ladybirds Nursery. He incredibly developed his skills and he has been clearly loved. The staff worked with us parents and advised on how to best guide and develop our son in a very professional manner. The facilities and the mix of activities proposed and deployed
are excellent.

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Review from Alexis R (Mother of Child) published on 25 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All 3 of our children have been through Ladybirds from 1 year old to pre school. They have all had extremely good experiences and have all taken so many positive memories with them. Our children all have very different personalities and varying challenges which have been supported extremely well by
all their key workers.


I cannot recommend Ladybirds enough.


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Review from Amanda D (Mother of Child) published on 19 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has attended Ladybirds from 18 months old through to Pre school, we will be very sad to see him leave this Friday. My son has complex needs, which became more apparent throughout his time at Ladybirds, therefore we have had quite a journey with the staff involved in his care. I can honestly say
throughout this challenging time, we have been fully supported, and as a family, we have felt a sense of security knowing he has been in such good hands during this important stage of development. We feel that Ladybirds have given our son the best foundation possible, for him to achieve his full potential. I do not think there is much more you could ask for, or look for in a nursery.

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Review from Hendrike B (Mother of Child) published on 19 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter was well-cared for at Ladybirds. Although initially quite shy and with English, not her first language, Ladybirds staff worked very well with me to ensure that my daughter settled in well. She really enjoyed the pre-school year, made good friends and thrived with all the topics and things
on offer. I would warmly recommend this nursery. It is well run with caring and experienced staff.

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Review from Anna O (Mother of Child) published on 7 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have three children (9, 4 and 1). My two youngest are currently at ladybirds and my eldest was also there from 2009 to 2012. All my children have thrived there and continue to do so. I wouldn't want any other type of childcare for them as Ladybirds offers them the best any child (or parent!) would
want. My son starts jumping in excitement in his car seat when I park the car in the car park and is very happy going in. My daughter who is now in pre-school and has been at Ladybirds Nursery since she was 8 months has been saying how much she is going to miss nursery the nursery nurse when she goes to "big" school. I couldn't recommend this nursery enough. The love, affection, discipline, variety and overall fun Ladybirds Nursery offers is OUTSTANDING!!

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Review from Joanna S (Mother of Child) published on 9 September 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A wonderfully caring and stimulating nursery that I cannot recommend highly enough. We have been fortunate enough to send two of our three boys to Ladybirds over the last five years and have watched them thrive as Starlings, Kingfishers and pre-schoolers. What strikes me particularly as our youngest
starts school is how much he already enjoys learning, how confident he is with numbers and phonics and how well he has been prepared for Reception by the teaching staff in the pre-school. As a parent, I have also really appreciated how little the staff has changed over the last five years, which is not only wonderful from the children's perspective but says much about the working environment there. Ladybirds rightly deserves its outstanding OFSTED rating.

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Review from Rondi A (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

As this is the end of our time at Ladybirds, I really want to thank you really sincerely for all the support we have had and the enjoyment our daughter has had at Nursery . We made a wonderful decision to come to Ladybirds and have been so pleased. She has absolutely thrived thanks to you all and the
environment which allows her to do that. We are ready for the next stage but sad this week as well, that this phase is ending.

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Review from Michelle H (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot recommend Ladybirds nursery highly enough. Both of our children attended the nursery, from the baby room through to the preschool, and every room has been outstanding in its care, nurturing, support, fun, activities and learning. Their attention to every individual child is incredible, both
in their knowledge of each child's personality and achievements, and in the time and interest that they have for them all. What often amazes me is how the nursery manages to do all this and yet still have the time to lay excellent foundations for readying the children (and parents!) for school. So many of the staff have been at the nursery throughout the whole of our time there, which really adds to the sense of community and warmth - we're very sad to have to say goodbye after all of these years!

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Review from Karen S (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A wonderful nursery where the teaching and care is second to none. Staff are nurturing and encouraging and dedicated to building confidence and independence into the children. The pre-school is excellent and my child has thrived under their guidance. He can recognise and write his name, count confidently,
draw, paint and colour neatly.
I would not hesitate in recommending Ladybirds nursery (and have done so several times!)

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.879)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.879) out of 10 for Ladybirds Nursery 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 11 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.9 out of 5 from 11 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 4.977 for Ladybirds Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (126 Excellents x 5) + (3 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 129 Ratings = 4.977

  • 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 4.902 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Ladybirds Nursery is based on 11 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 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • 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 61 number of registered child places is 12.2. 11 Positive Reviews ÷ 12.2 = 0.902

  • 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.

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Meet the Team (2)

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Michelle Gee

Job Title: Manager

Joined: 2008

I have worked at Ladybirds Nursery since I gained my qualification Diploma in Childcare and Education in 2008. I have been fortunate to grow both personally and professionally from then, as whilst working at the nursery I gained my Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management. Starting as a nursery practitioner, I have taken on roles such as care supervisor, mentor, room leader and finally Manager. During this time I have worked across all the different ages from 3 months to rising 5's. This has given me a broad knowledge of children's ages and stages of development and I have a passion for helping children meet their true potential in a caring and nurturing educational setting. Seeing them grow throughout their time with us is amazing and the relationships built with them and their families is very special indeed.


Outside of nursery life I enjoy taking time to connect with family and friends, being outside and curling up with a good book.


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Abbie Speed

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2020

HI! My name is Abbie, and I am the Deputy Manager at Ladybirds Day Nursery.


Ever since Primary school, thanks to my mum working from home as a Childminder, I knew that I wanted to work with and understand the learning and development of children. This sparked my desire to study Psychology and Child Development at university. After achieving a First class degree, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel and au-pair in Australia and complete an internship teaching English to primary school children in Barcelona before joining the fantastic team at Ladybirds Nursery. I first joined Ladybirds as nursery practitioner before becoming the room leader of Doves (our Baby room) and was later appointed as the Deputy Manager.


One of the many reasons why I love working with children, is being able to be part of and aid their development and growth. Working in the baby room, I am privileged to watch the children's growth and development throughout their nursery journey; watch as they achieve milestones such as walking and learning to talk and their individual personalities and imaginations grow. I also enjoy building strong rapports with the children's respective guardians and carers and learning about their family's cultures, traditions, and celebrations and learning phrases and words of the languages that they may speak.


Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Ladybirds Nursery to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Ladybirds Nursery has an Enhanced Service – more info.