Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Nuffield Health St Albans, Highfield Park Drive, St Albans AL4 0AH
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9.9 53 Reviews
  • Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans, St Albans
Nuffy Bear Day Nursery “St Albans” is conveniently situated on the site of Nuffield Health’s St Albans Fitness and Wellbeing gym. The nursery caters for children aged 3 months to 5 years, where they will be grouped into rooms specially designed for their age and development. Their kind, caring staff work closely with parents to ensure children’s individual learning needs are met.

The Nursery benefits from a home from home environment, delicious, healthy meals prepared on-site by the qualified chef, free gym membership with every full time nursery place, they are uniquely qualified to teach your child to swim from the age of 3 years and support your child being active.

Parents are supported by a flexible, inviting nursery, within which their children can flourish, children can immerse themselves in a wide range of fun, exciting resources, creative activities and free childcare (funding).

The nursery day can be split into sessions. The morning session runs from 8am to 1pm, the afternoon session from 1pm to 6pm and full day sessions are from 8am to 6pm. They offer an early drop off session 07:30 - 08:00 and a late pick up session 18:00 - 18:30.

Care Provided by Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Tiffany Ballard (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 23
  • Registered Charity Number
  • 205533
  • Total Places for Children
  • 48
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 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 & 1 week at Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

  • *Prices as of April 2024*
    - Morning Session - 8am-1pm - £50.50 per session
    - Afternoon Session - 1pm-6pm - £48.50 per session
    - All Day Session - 8am-6pm - £82.50 per session
    - Extended All Day Session 7:30am-6:30pm - £88.00 per session
    - Just An Early Drop Off - 7:30am-8am - £9.50 per session
    - Just A Late Pick Up - 6pm-6:30pm - £9.50 per session


  • All sessions include snacks/meals, except for funding sessions.
    Funding options vary with the option to pay for snacks/meals or provide your child's snacks/meals with no charge.
    We do have a packed lunch policy to follow.


  • Parking
  • There is free on site parking and child/parent parking bays right by the entrance.


Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans Reviews (53)

Total of 53, showing 1-20
9.9

Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.916) out of 10, based on 17 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans has 53 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Nuffy Bear Nursery has been a wonderful place for our family, with all three of my children having attended, and one still happily going there. The staff are incredibly caring, attentive, and have always gone the extra mile to make sure each of my children feel safe, supported, and nurtured. The warm
and welcoming environment has made it a second home for our children, giving them the confidence to grow, learn, and thrive. It's been comforting to know they are in such capable hands, and we're so grateful for the positive impact this nursery has had on their early years. Wouldn't think twice about recommending it to others!

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind and supportive words. We truly appreciate it. Please do let us know if there is ever anything else we can do to support you all.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I could not recommend Nuffy Bear St Albans Nursery more - the whole team and experience has been absolutely amazing! Our son started at 9 months and any concerns that we had were completely removed on day one by how amazing the manager and her team are. The management and girls in the baby room have
been absolutely amazing and not only have they built such a strong bond with our son but also us as parents and show genuine care in our son's development. Our son always has such an amazing time at nursery whether it's playing in the garden, doing arts and crafts or running riot in the squash court. We have noticed such good developments in our son since he joined nursery which is a testament to the activities and next steps and the close work of his key worker. We have absolutely loved every minute of our nursery experience and cannot recommend the manager and her team more!

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words and appreciation. We are so thankful for your support and voicing this, it means the world to myself and my team.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has been at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery since he was 10 months old and I was very nervous about leaving him so young and such long hours, five days a week but we are really happy that we chose Nuffy Bear for our son and it's amazing to see how he has thrived during his time at nursery. Any concerns
or questions have always been answered promptly from the first point of contact and our son has developed good relationships with all the staff and management at the nursery.
For the cost of all of the nurseries in the area, Nuffy Bear is towards the lower end but is definitely not reflected in the great range of activities and care that he receives.
I would recommend Nuffy Bear to anyone looking for a nursery!

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words, we appreciate it so much. Please do let us know if there is anything else we can do or provide for our children. We appreciate your support.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My two daughters attend Nuffy Bear Nursery St Albans and have done so now for over nine months. We have found everyone at the nursery to be so kind, they seem to genuinely care so much about our girls, their happiness and progress and always have time to talk to us about what has happened that day or
anything we want feedback on. They are so imaginative with the activities (for under 2s) - lots of different arts and crafts, sensory and pretend play, singing, time outside and interacting with different people and toys. They have flexed time up and down for us as needed (min 4 weeks at a time) and generally are a brilliant support as part of our family journey. I can't thank them enough. We had to put the girls into nursery earlier than planned due to an emergency, but very quickly I was confident they were being well looked after and were happy. It's a bit further from us than other nurseries, but we couldn't change now - a brilliant team and a great nursery.

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words; we appreciate it so much. Please do let us know if there is anything else we can do or provide for our children. We appreciate your support.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

An absolutely delightful nursery, full of fun, life and colour. Brilliantly friendly and dedicated staff. Lots of engaging activities for the children. A perfect nursery choice for my children. Thoroughly recommend it!

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words, we appreciate it so much. Please do let us know if there is anything else we can do or provide for our children. We appreciate your support.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are delighted with our choice of Nuffy Bear Day Nursery. It was recommended by a neighbour whose sons attend. The staff are all so very warm and caring, communication in person and via updates in the app are fantastic, the food variety is great and we really like the themed events that the staff
put on with the arts and crafts activities around it. Our daughters are really very happy there. A really great day nursery.

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words, we appreciate it so much. Please do let us know if there is anything else we can do or provide for our children. We appreciate your support.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Really lovely nursery, very helpful and they provide a lot of information. Lovely staff and have helped my child a lot with their speaking and learning and give me daily updates on my child’s time at nursery.

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words, we appreciate it so much. Please do let us know if there is anything else we can do or provide for our children. We appreciate your support.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has attended Nuffy Bear St Albans since she was 14 weeks old, she is now 13 months old and has thrived in their care. She has a close bond with her amazing key worker, and all of the other brilliant staff too - the management is caring, and responsive and everyone communicates well. I would
not hesitate to recommend Nuffy Bear as a nursery to anyone - we are very happy with our choice!

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words. We appreciate it so much. Please do let us know if there is anything else we can do or provide for our children. We appreciate your support.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Initially, I was very apprehensive about sending my child to nursery (as I am sure any first-time parent would be) but from the very first induction, we got such a lovely warm, caring and welcoming vibe from both the management and the key workers.
Over the last 5 months, we have seen our child go
from crying when being dropped off to running in and waving bye to us (which tells you a lot!). Additionally, we have seen our child grow, develop and learn a number of new things and it’s down to the fantastic staff at the nursery. They are very caring and go over and beyond and regularly keep you updated with photos and videos which is brilliant as you get to see your child enjoying themselves in nursery. There’s a great variety of healthy food on offer daily and a wide range of activities and toys to keep them entertained.
I couldn’t recommend the nursery highly enough to any parent!

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words. We appreciate it so much. Please do let us know if there is anything else we can do or provide for our children. We appreciate your support.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Amazing staff! My child loves to attend the nursery, the staff are very helpful and there to support you at any time.
The development and skills of my daughters have increased a lot.
A huge thank you to all the Nuffy Bear team!

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words. We appreciate it so much. Please do let us know if there is anything else we can do or provide for our children. We appreciate your support.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son is nearly two and has attended Nuffy Bear from 12 months old. He is absolutely thriving there due to the positive, caring and homely environment. He has an amazing bond with his key worker and the other members of staff in the under 2s room. The nursery is very well run by the managers who are
both experienced and skilled at what they do. My son loves the meals and snacks and eats a great variety of healthy food. He loves the creative/arty activities as well as the physical play both inside and outside. Thank you to all the wonderful staff at Nuffy Bear.

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words and support. We appreciate this so much. If there is anything else that we can do or bring to the nursery for our children, then please do let me know.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Amazing staff. Very helpful, caring and incredible with communication. Great with allergies - we’ve never had any worry. My daughter loves her group and has so much fun! Has been wonderful for her development and social skills.

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words and appreciation. It means so much to us. Please do let us know if there is anything else we can do.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little girl has been going to Nuffy for nearly a year now. All the staff know her so well and her little personality. She has come on leaps and bounds, and since going into the over two's room, the change in her has been immense. Her outgoing confidence now where everyone is her “friend”. She often
comes home telling us all sorts of stories of what she’s been up to. Sending her to nursery was a choice rather than a necessity, but it has paid off in her social development.

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words. We appreciate your feedback, and it means so much to us. Please do let us know if there is anything we can do.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I’m really pleased to be able to recommend Nuffy Bear St Albans. I had two of my children at the nursery. They have really developed their one-to-one's between the child and their key person and often move into a separate space to create a quality exchange with lower distractions. They have introduced
the ‘Famly’ app within the last year that means that communications, records and meal time information is all easily accessible. The team are loving and warm and cuddles are always available which small children will need aplenty. Support with milestones and toilet training is abundant and the pace is parent led. We were seeing more diverse learning experiences, cause and effect etc. being introduced. They also have a lending library so the kids can choose a book to borrow. There are two gardens and they can seem a bit short of space but the kids seem to find plenty to do and are reluctant to leave at home-time. A good choice and plenty of parking (not to be undervalued!).

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words & appreciation. It means the world to us.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Nuffy Bear St Albans is fantastic. They care for my child’s developmental needs and give my son the care and attention that he needs while he’s there. The staff are all lovely, polite and always ready and patient enough to help you with any query. The children do a variety of activities, as well as
lots of songs, stories and dancing. I like it because I can enter their app anytime and see what my son has been up to, but also what his developmental plan is and what he has already achieved. I strongly recommend it.

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words and appreciation. We really appreciate your feedback. If there is anything else that we can do for our children or bring into nursery, then please do let us know.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery since she was 11 months old and she loves it there! The staff really make a fuss of her and you get the impression that they really care about the children. I'm really happy with the different range of activities that they get up to, particularly the focus
on nature and exercise. The menus are really varied and they are great at catering for any special dietary requirements.

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words and appreciation. We hugely appreciate it. Please do let us know if there is anything else we can provide for our children at the nursery to make their day even more enjoyable and fun.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Nuffy Bear Day Nursery is the best by far. My three children have all attended since the beginning of 2016. It was the best choice we made. The team are very professional and there’s a safe environment. The food is also very good and healthy. Every member of staff is exceptional and they are all very
approachable. Thank you Nuffy Bear team!

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words and appreciation. It means so much to us.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Nuffy Bear is a great nursery with friendly and supportive staff that genuinely care. They really push the kids to be independent and grow in confidence as they develop, and they provide a variety of activities including fitness classes and swimming that the kids love!

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your kind words and continued support. Please do let us know if there is anything else that you would like to see us provide at nursery for our children.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Very happy with my child attending Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans. Lovely, supportive setting and the children are well looked after. They do a lot of activities aligned to age related development which is really beneficial and I can see how my child has been flourishing. Plenty of toys, books and
spacious rooms/play areas. Older children have access to swimming lessons too, which is a great incentive.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Nuffy Bear's is warm and welcoming. Both my children are happy there. The team understand our children's individual needs and have built deep bonds with them. The menus are diverse and healthy, which is a real plus! It is great that the children join swimming lessons when they are three and exercise
classes with a personal trainer from the age of two.

Reply from Tiffany Ballard, Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

Thank you so much for your lovely and kind words; we really do appreciate it. Please do let us know if you have ideas or things that you would like to see us introduce at the nursery for our children.


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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.916)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.916) out of 10 for Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans 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 17 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 17 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 4.916 for Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans is calculated as follows: ( (185 Excellents x 5) + (17 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 202 Ratings = 4.916

  • 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 Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans is based on 17 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 48 number of registered child places is 9.6, which has been reached with 17 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.

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (6)

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Meet the Team (1)

Tiffany

Tiffany Ballard

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2016

Hello, I am the Nursery Manager at Nuffy Bear Day Nursery in St Albans.


I have worked in the childcare sector for 10+ years and have a whole wealth of knowledge and understanding when it comes to children, I am also a mummy to a little girl.


I completed my NVQ Level 3 qualification & have experience being an unqualified practitioner and worked my way up to a senior/ 3rd in charge, deputy & now nursery Manager. I have a huge passion for what I do and I want to ensure that all our children grow & thrive from attending our nursery setting.


Frequently Asked Questions about Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans

What is the Age Range of Children that Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans accepts?

Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans Open?

Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans is open: 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.

How many Children does Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans have capacity for?

Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans has capacity for a total of 48 Children.

How far is Nuffy Bear Day Nursery St Albans to the centre of St Albans?

1.7 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.