Hertford Barns

Hertford Barns, Cole Green, Hertford SG14 2NL
Submit a Review
9.9 84 Reviews
Hertford Barns provides a warm and welcoming environment where each child's individual needs are prioritised and their interests nurtured.

The nursery is located in the quiet countryside against the beautiful backdrop of the Hatfield Estate. The purpose-built facilities benefit from the calm and safe green spaces surrounding it, offering plenty of fresh air.

Children benefit from age-appropriate gardens which furthers their social, emotional and physical development.

The highly trained staff support each child to reach their potential with activities designed in line with EYFS principles.

Hertford Barns also offer the extracurricular activity of Tiny Mites for under twos and Yoga Mites for over twos on alternate Tuesdays.
... Read more
Show Hertford Barns on the Map

Care Provided by Hertford Barns

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Jenny Pratt (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 39
  • Total Places for Children
  • 90
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 2 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 & Inset Days
  • Parking

  • Free parking is available onsite.


Hertford Barns Reviews (84)

Total of 84, showing 1-20
9.9

Hertford Barns has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.915) out of 10, based on 50 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Hertford Barns has 84 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 74
  • 9
  • 0
  • 0
  • 1

Date Published

84
11
18
50
34

Review from Carlie W (Mother of Child) published on 15 April 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has attended Hertford Barns for 2 years now. All the staff members are very friendly and update you on everything that is happening within the nursery and how your child is progressing. Our daughter struggled when she moved up into the older class but the staff were great with her, it made
me feel so much happier leaving her there. Our daughters Key worker has been amazing and she is always talking about her, even when she isn't there all the other members of the team know each individual child so well and even other staff around the nursery all know the children's names which makes it feel so personal. They have recently had little baby chicks born at the nursery which the children have been able to see which has been a big talking point with our daughter every time we pick her up! The outside space is a big bonus! Our son is due to start soon & I am already excited for him to experience and learn all the things our daughter has. I cannot recommend Hertford Barns enough.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from James H (Father of Child) published on 27 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has attended Hertford Barns for over 6 months and we are extremely happy with both the staff and the facilities. The staff are always extremely friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable not only about the overall development path of age group of the class, but also the individual requirements
and developments for each child in their care. Although a "key worker" is assigned to each child any of the staff members are always happy to help and able to give an update on how our daughter has got on through the day, how well they ate, slept and what activities they have enjoyed.


Our daughter has built strong bonds with many of the staff and although drop offs are always an emotional time, she is always happy to be handed over to anyone in the team for some comfort and a cuddle.


The facilities are also fantastic with lots of varied options for play and learning both inside and out!


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Georgie C (Mother of Child) published on 3 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Hertford Barns is the best nursery in Hertford. The staff are welcoming, kind and caring. The food is varied and healthy and the grounds are wonderful. My son is very happy and I'm very grateful that I can leave him, and go to work knowing he is in safe and capable hands. I would highly recommend Hertford
Barns!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Rhian M (Mother of Child) published on 3 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I couldn't recommend Hertford Barns enough! Both of my daughters have attended and they both love it. All of the staff are friendly, down to earth and knowledgeable. You can see they genuinely care for the children in their care. The setting is beautiful, with great access to vast outside spaces and
nature. They offer a wide range of activities. Both of my girls have had the opportunity to feed lambs and sheep in the Spring when their resident sheep come to visit for a few weeks! Most importantly, my girls have thrived socially, developmentally and emotionally. They clap in excitement driving up the drive way, and run into the room in the morning. I couldn't ask for a better reaction to going to nursery!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Kitty A (Mother of Child) published on 4 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot recommend Hertford Barns more highly. My daughter has been there for over 6 months now and she bounds in happily every morning (almost without fail). She is well fed, brilliantly looked after and clearly, so simulated by her days. She seems to be doing a whole range of different things every
day, which has helped her take huge developmental leaps since she joined. The team are superb (everyone from administration, chefs and management, through to those in the room) and the care and attention she has had in exemplary. I really can't thank everyone at Hertford Barns enough - they take all the worries and stresses out of childcare and make it a genuinely pleasurable experience. If only I could parent half as well as they do!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Victoria M (Mother of Child) published on 11 December 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A Wonderful Nursery Experience! Hertford Barns Day Nursery has been absolutely fantastic for my child. The staff are truly wonderful-so warm, caring, and attentive. It's clear they genuinely love what they do, and they always go the extra mile to make both children and parents feel welcome and supported.


The

range of activities they offer is incredible, and I've noticed such a positive difference in my child's development since they started attending. I can't recommend Hertford Barns Day Nursery enough. Thank you to all the amazing staff for everything you do-you've made such a positive impact on our family!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from K H (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Hertford Barns is a fabulous nursery. It is in a beautiful setting and the staff are caring and well-trained. The nursery has gone above and beyond for us!! This is our third child, and both children before have gone through the childcare partnership.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from L K (Mother of Child) published on 6 November 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Absolutely delighted with my child's progression at Hertford Barns but more importantly, he loves being there and adores his key workers. He has been at the nursery for 4 months and is 18 months.
The nursery space is light, bright and clean with lots of activities and lovely outdoor space. Great menu
and adorable tables and chairs for when the children are eating.
All the staff are friendly and welcoming and the nursery has a great energy in general.
Would highly recommend.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Hannah W (Mother of Child) published on 6 November 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter instantly smiles as soon as we get into the nursery carpark. The team are waving through the window so they are ready and waiting for her and is welcomed to her breakfast. The facilities are lovely and the location is great, lots of outdoor space as they grow through the nursery. Often doesn't
want to leave at night as is too busy playing. The team genuinely care for all of the children, and all the staff know all of the children, even the chefs!
Would highly recommend to all my friends.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from A C (Mother of Child) published on 4 November 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have been incredibly impressed with Hertford Barns since my daughter joined in June 2024. Her key worker in the Ladybirds room has been excellent, giving my daughter lots of reassurance, cuddles, adjusting her step by step and also giving me lots of reassurance! She welcomed my initial check in calls
and never made me feel like a bother, plus gives me a full run down of her day at every pick up.
My daughter has just grown leaps and bounds since joining! Her vocabulary and signing has increased incredibly, she is comfortable with more people, she has a great routine and she is happy to attend nursery.
I also appreciate Hertford Barns for adapting with my child, e.g. replicating her nap routine or milk routine from home, and evolving as my child grows.
The Ladybirds team are incredibly supportive and loving, which is just what we wanted for our family! She is so lucky to have the wonderful staff.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Sarah P (Mother of Child) published on 22 October 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter is now 21 months and has been attending Hertford Barns since she was 9 months. She absolutely loves nursery and has really come on in her development. The teachers are so welcoming and make it really easy for me to drop her off as I know she is in good hands. They do such a variety of activities
each week and we are always provided with updates on what the children have been up to.
Thank you to all of the team at Hertford Barns!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Daniel W (Father of Child) published on 19 August 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has been at Hertford Barns since September 2022, just before he turned 1. We are so happy with how he has settled in and how much he has developed since starting there. All the staff, from all the rooms, greet him in the morning and all know his name which I think really helps him feel welcome
and at home. His settling into both his rooms was always very personal and adapted to suit him. All his key workers, especially one staff member in caterpillars, have built strong relationships with him and helped us to feel at ease while he is away from us.
We would definitely recommend Hertford Barns!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from P B (Father of Child) published on 6 August 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Lovely place for my son to be he loves it there and he loves the staff. He has come a long way since he started here and I wouldn't take him anywhere else. Out of all the nurseries we visited, this was definitely the best 1. I highly recommend any parent bringing their kids here.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Nicola G (Mother of Child) published on 27 June 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has absolutely loved her time at Hertford Barns. The facilities and quality of the nursery are outstanding. Staff are caring and know every child, I never have any concerns about leaving her there. The food is great and she often has seconds! They do an amazing range of activities and there
are always plenty of books, toys and games out. Children are encouraged to play outside in all weathers. I will really miss taking my daughter there!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Luke D (Father of Child) published on 23 May 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The facilities at Hertford Barns are so lovely, there’s fantastic outside space and activities for the children and a really nice feel to each of the rooms. There’s constant updates of toys/books and the staff are lovely and friendly. They take there time to get to know each child and children not even
specific to there rooms. So far we’ve had a really positive experience at Hertford Barns and would recommend! The sheep in the fields behind are a great value add to the whole place and my child loves it!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from F W (Mother of Child) published on 21 May 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little girl 22 months has been at The Barns for nearly a year now. The settling-in period was great it put us first-time parents at ease, I’ve never left and worried which makes leaving her a lot easier. Her development is down to the nursery she has learned to walk, eat, and chat since being at
the nursery and we can only thank them for helping push her on.
They currently have lambs on site and our little girl absolutely loves going out to feed them when in nursery. She always has a great day and I couldn’t recommend the barns more if I tried.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from N S (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are incredibly happy with Hertford Barns. Our little girl has truly flourished in the setting. Every morning when I tell her it's nursery day, she is always so excited to go. Her key worker has such a wonderful relationship with her. They always give each other big hugs when they see each other in
the morning. My little ones' language and social skills have developed so quickly once starting nursery. They always have great exciting activities each day for them. Currently, they have lambs at the nursery, which is such a wonderful learning opportunity. We feel incredibly lucky that she has such an enriching environment to play in. Thank you so much Hertford Barns.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Caroline B (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

An exceptional setting with truly exceptional staff.
I have 2 children who attended Hertford Barns (with some overlap) for the last 5 years and while we started with a nursery we thought was excellent it continued to surprise us by getting better and better.
They were even able to cope with my son’s
extensive food allergies and did so with such ease and respect.
Thank you all!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Lisa P (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter always enjoys her time at nursery. She enjoys the food, the activities and all the girls that work there. My daughter broke her elbow last year and the team were quick to do a risk assessment and appoint more staff to ensure she didn’t hurt herself further whilst at nursery.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from O M (Mother of Child) published on 22 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My daughter has attended Hertford Barns for just over a year now and we couldn’t be happier. She enjoys her time there and her key person/the team in her room are excellent with carrying on her physio whilst she is at nursery. She has developed so much whilst attending here so far and we couldn’t imagine
sending her to another nursery. The facilities are clean and the room has a door leading to a separate outdoor space, giving the children the choice to play indoors or outdoors. I would recommend Hertford Barns to anyone looking to send their child to a nursery in this area.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.915)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.915) out of 10 for Hertford Barns 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 50 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 50 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 4.915 for Hertford Barns is calculated as follows: ( (548 Excellents x 5) + (47 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 597 Ratings = 4.915

  • 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 Hertford Barns is based on 50 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 90 number of registered child places is 18, which has been reached with 50 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

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (17)

Top 20 Large Nursery Groups 2024

Recipient: Childbase Partnership

Date: Thursday 28 Mar 2024 More details

Top 20 Large Nursery Groups 2023

Recipient: Childbase Partnership

Date: Friday 28 Apr 2023 More details

Eco Schools 2023 - 2024

Recipient: Childbase Partnership

Date: Sunday 01 Jan 2023 More details

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading events

Meet the Team (1)

Jenny

Jenny Pratt

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2008

Jenny is the Manager of the award-winning Hertford Barns Day Nursery and has a wealth of experience, having worked in the Early Years sector for 17 years. Jenny has numerous qualifications, including a Level 2, 3 and 4 in Childcare and has worked at Childbase 15 years.

What is your favourite feature of Hertford Barns?
My favourite feature is the beautiful setting of our nursery, we benefit from such fantastic outdoor space and our rooms are beautiful yet functional for an Early Years setting.

What are you most proud of about your nursery/team?
I am so proud of my staff team and their ability to build strong bonds with our families and children, the nurture and care they give their children is outstanding. We are also a growing nursery so having the ability to be able to adapt to all the changes has been key to building our successes.

... Read more

Frequently Asked Questions about Hertford Barns

What is the Age Range of Children that Hertford Barns accepts?

Hertford Barns accepts Children aged from 0 years 2 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Hertford Barns Open?

Hertford Barns 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 Hertford Barns have capacity for?

Hertford Barns has capacity for a total of 90 Children.

How far is Hertford Barns to the centre of Hertford?

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

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