St Nicholas Day Nursery

Bennetts End House, Eastwick Road, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4JQ
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9.9 98 Reviews
  • St Nicholas Day Nursery, Hemel Hempstead
Occupying a converted manor house, St Nicholas Day Nursery is one of the oldest nurseries in the country. The home from home nursery was refurbished in 2020 providing a new, modern feel inside their converted grade 2 listed manor house setting. The nursery offers exceptional care, enriched by unique learning opportunities for your child. One such experience is child-friendly cooking classes, helping to equip children with valuable skills and deeper knowledge of the cooking process.

Inside, there are four rooms carefully designed with age-appropriate resources to aid the learning and development of your little one.

The homely setting is surrounded by extensive and secure grounds offering all age groups a vast area for physical activities. The garden, which was redesigned and refurbished in 2017, includes a mini woodland nature walk and growing area in order to give children the opportunity to further explore and extend their play.

The nursery place strong importance on outdoor learning and the children engage in regular forestry sessions throughout the week in order to explore and discover the outside world. Each age group also has their own garden space to explore.

St Nicholas is central to local schools and over the past 50 years have built strong links so that the children’s transition from nursery to school is as easy and smooth as possible – for both the children and parents!

Care Provided by St Nicholas Day Nursery

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Frankie Bignall (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 17
  • Total Places for Children
  • 75
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 0 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 St Nicholas Day Nursery

  • AM/PM Session £52.90
    Full Day Session £86.60
    Short Day £71.50


    We're making childcare more accessible to families:


    * FREE nursery childcare for siblings of registered children!*
    * Fully flexible
    * No meal, consumable or enhancement charges
    * Part & fully funded places available


    * Terms and conditions apply


  • A £100 non-refundable registration fee is required to secure a place. Exact days of attendance should be confirmed no later than 6 weeks prior to the child’s start date. Any changes are subject to availability.


  • Parking
  • There is a small parking area available for parents and visitors.


St Nicholas Day Nursery Reviews (98)

Total of 98, showing 41-60
9.9

St Nicholas Day Nursery has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.938) out of 10, based on 27 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time St Nicholas Day Nursery has 98 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son goes to the nursery, and he absolutely loves it. All the staff are so friendly, and I know he is well looked after.
My son comes home very happy and loves to tell me what he has been doing, and always coming home with lots of artwork.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I had no hesitation in sending my second daughter to St Nicholas after my first daughter went there from 11-months-old right up until it was time to leave to start school. My daughter there now is 2-years-old and has been at St Nicholas since she was one. She absolutely loves it there and is learning
so much. The care and attention from the staff are amazing, and I love seeing updates from the app on what she has eaten in the day and what she has been up to. The garden is just beautiful and perfect for my daughter, who loves being outdoors. I also love the regular updates on Facebook and Instagram about what all the children have been doing and learning about each week. All the staff are so friendly and welcoming, and I have complete trust that my child is in the best care.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Highly recommend this nursery to anyone whos struggling, a very supportive environment, and the meals are very nutritious considering, my child's very fussy, he actually enjoys the food given. They always like to keep you updated on their progress too, which I like.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of my daughters absolutely love nursery. My youngest, as a lockdown baby, has settled in so well considering her interaction with other people has been limited. My eldest absolutely thrives on the routine from preschool and is definitely preparing for ‘big school’. I can’t thank the staff enough.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Absolutely love this nursery; the staff are so kind and friendly. They know our little one so well. They always provide wonderful activities as well as the care and attention these little ones need and deserve. Always get a detailed report at the end of the day. Highly recommended.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It’s an amazing place. My son and my daughter loves this place. They wake up in the morning first things wanting to go there. Never heard of any problems. We are really the happy kids are happy. Would recommend it to anyone.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Brilliant nursery and staff. My child always comes home happy and well-fed. He's learning so much and is always doing fun activities at nursery.


During covid, the staff have been practising safe rules and regulations and are following the guidelines to provide a safe environment for my child.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Outstanding school. My granddaughter was there 5 years ago and my grandson is there to this day. Lovely friendly staff who the kids love. Highly recommend. They truly love our kids and ours love them. Children encouraged to be themselves.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My daughter started nursery at one year and now has been there for three years. We are very grateful. She attends full time. As well, we have another daughter who is starting reception. Excellent teachers, wonderful garden. We recommend the nursery for the people who want their kids to explore and learn
more about creativity, preparing for school.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My daughter started at St Nicholas just before her 1st birthday, she’s now nearly 2, and she absolutely loves it. We used to have tears at the gate when she first started, and it wasn’t long before she started to happily walk in and says bye to me! She really looks forward to it. The staff are also
great and keep us updated with lots of information about her day and all the changes around Covid they’ve had to make.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has really come along since coming to this nursery. She has excelled. Really, really pleased I chose this nursery.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I have been extremely impressed with the care and professionalism of staff at St Nicholas! They have supported my son really well with his toilet training, and occasionally behavioural issues. The outdoor space is excellent, and we have been really impressed, particularly with his 'woodland wanderers'
outdoor sessions. Communication is good, however, there isn't access to a day to day online portal of activities. Overall, we are happy with the nursery.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Amazing place. My son loves it. Wakes up every morning wanting to go. Would recommend to anyone.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been attending St Nicholas Nursery since he was 1 year old. He is now in preschool and always loves going to nursery. Every day he is learning new things and he loves Woodland Wanderers. The staff at St Nicholas are excellent. They always give good feedback about his day. The staff are so
helpful with any requests - and have been very good ensuring specific food requirements are met. My second little boy will be going to St Nicholas when I go back to work. I couldn't recommend the nursery more. 10 stars!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The facilities are beautiful and there are always interesting activities. The garden is wonderful and the children are always outside. There is a woodland that the children explore and look after. My little boy loves to be outside and this suits her perfectly. The staff are friendly and always making
sure everyone is ok. Displays are bright and cheerful and every time I pick up I get clear, detailed feedback about what my child has been doing. I'd highly recommend this nursery.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A beautiful listed building with a huge outside area. The staff are warm and friendly and so dedicated to their jobs. The 'woodland wanderers' outside the classroom area is amazing. The children seem to really enjoy it there and are always so busy.


My child has just started the 'twinkle stars' room.

The practitioners are such a hit with my son! He goes in happily in the morning and is always eager to explore the room and equipment.


I am extremely happy with the nursery.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Best caring staff, clean and very friendly. The garden is huge and loads of toys to play with. My son loves riding the bikes and the playhouse.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son had a really difficult time getting used to going to nursery and not being at home with me. The team has made it so easy and my son end up enjoying there. He will definitely miss everyone there.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Both my children have been very happy at St Nicholas Nursery. I am always impressed with the caring and nurturing attitude of the staff.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of my boys have a fantastic time at nursery. The outdoor space is fantastic and I love all the wooden toys and equipment. All the nursery staff are so lovely and helpful.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.938)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.938) out of 10 for St Nicholas Day Nursery is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 27 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 27 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 4.938 for St Nicholas Day Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (306 Excellents x 5) + (16 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 324 Ratings = 4.938

  • 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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for St Nicholas Day Nursery is based on 27 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 75 number of registered child places is 15, which has been reached with 27 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • 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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Awards / Recognitions (7)

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Meet the Team (1)

Frankie

Frankie

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2007

Qualifications: NVQ3, DSL, Paediatric First Aid, Food Hygiene