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Harpenden Central Day Nursery and Preschool
WHY CHOOSE BRIGHT HORIZONS
In a Mumsnet survey of 131 users of Bright Horizons Nurseries: 82% would buy again and 85% would recommend
A place to grow
At our day nursery for children three months to 5 years we pride ourselves in our welcoming, friendly staff team. We provide a home from home environment, which offers a truly positive experience for all our children and parents.
We have a highly trained and knowledgeable staff team that are always available to talk to and willing to support all our children. Harpenden Central Day Nursery and Preschool is located in Harpenden town centre, just a two-minute walk from the train station and only a 20-minute train ride into London Kings Cross, which is great for commuting parents. Set in a stunning listed building, originally the town's police station. Each room is filled with specially made wooden resources and furniture to encourage children to learn and develop. Interactive whiteboards and touch-screen computers help children to grow in confidence as they discover the world around them. Our unique Healthy Hearts and Minds activities provide inspirational and engaging learning experiences using the innovative Boogie Mites and myHappymind programmes.
Our garden includes a climbing frame, water feature, mud kitchen area and a separate cosy and safe baby garden. We take the children outdoors on a daily basis. Our nursery and preschool rooms have the added benefit of being able to have direct access to garden space, so we can offer free-flow access to the children.
Our delicious, healthy and nutritious food, sourced from trusted suppliers is prepared and cooked by our very own chef. Menus change seasonally and cater for all dietary and religious needs. Our kitchen holds a 5* EHO rating for food safety and hygiene. Please see the menus tab above for our current menu. We are located within the catchment of many infant schools which include St Dominic’s, Roundwood Park, Crabtree, The Grove, St Nicholas’, High Beeches, Lea Primary, Manland, Sauncey Wood and Wood End.
Our friendly, experienced and highly qualified staff are on hand to conduct a personal nursery tour at a time to suit you.
Hollie Stokes
Nursery Manager
Nursery Manager
News
Nutrition
Our excellent nutritionally balanced menu is changed regularly to encourage a varied diet and is approved by Action for Children. Here is an example of a typical menu.
Breakfast
Lunch
Tea
Supporting and Learning
Growing Mathematicians
1-2-3-4-5! Mathematics is embedded in everything that we do and experience in our day-to-day lives and our Growing Mathematicians programme has been created to help your child understand the purpose and importance of mathematics.
Growing Readers
Growing Readers brings together home and nursery life, providing parents with some of the theory behind developing children’s reading skills, and also providing handy Hints & Tips, recommended reading lists and suggested activities for parents and children to explore together.
Growing Writers
Our Growing Writer’s approach supports the complex magical journey from making a mark, to emergent writing, to confident writer, laying the foundational skills that enable each child to flourish with the confidence and capability to succeed at school.
Fees & Availability
Where possible we look to offer flexible booking patterns and a range of funding options, including the government's 30 hours funded childcare* provision. To request pricing and availability, please request a call back by clicking the button below.
*Terms and conditions apply to 30 hours funding. Click here for more information.
Request a call back
Meet the Team
Hollie Stokes
I have been working in Early years for the past 14 years, I began my journey studying my level 3 diploma in childcare and education at college at the age of 16. I then went onto work as a Nursery Nurse in a Nursery setting, where I quickly progressed to become a Room Leader, then a Deputy Manager before transferring to Harpenden Day Nursery in the role of a Nursery Manager in Summer 2016. I like to study and I most recently completed my BA Degree in Early Years , which was a huge achievement of mine. I also attend many training sessions around Safeguarding as I am also the Designated Safeguarding Lead at the Nursery, as ensuring everyone is kept safe is a huge priority of mine. I am a very positive, enthusiastic and approachable manager and I like to be a positive role model for both the children and my team. I love working with children and how each and every day is different, also watching the children grow and develop as they start stay with us until they go off to ‘big school’. I strive to deliver outstanding childcare and education to each and every one of our children here at Harpenden Day Nursery. I am very proud of our Nursery and always willing to show around new families looking for exceptional care and a home from home environment for their little ones. In my spare time I enjoy taking my little girl on walks, and trips to the zoo spending time with my family.
Lucy Dunton
I have worked at Harpenden Day Nursery for 8 years. Over the years I have spent time in all the rooms, across all the ages building my confidence, experience and knowledge which has helped me reach my current position as deputy manager.
Candy Floss
Hi, my name is Candy Floss, I joined Bright Horizons in March 2010 as the ‘Super Safety Hero’ to help nursery children stay safe and manage risks. My role as a Health and Safety Super Hero is unique to Bright Horizons and I’m in every nursery, 365 days a year.
Back in 2010, I saw a job advert for a Zebra Super Safety Hero – I was very excited, applied and was invited for an interview with several other zebras. We were interviewed by all the children who then voted on which of us would be their Super Safety Hero. It was hoof biting but I was thrilled when they told me I was the most voted for by the children who all loved me because of my cape and bag. My bag is very special, if something fits inside, it’s a choking hazard. You might be wondering how I got my name. The children in our nurseries chose five names and voted for their favourite. I love it as it’s unique, I mean have you ever heard of a zebra called Candy Floss? Exactly!
Why Bright Horizons
The Bright Horizons passion and enthusiasm for providing high-quality care isn’t just common knowledge within our own business – we’ve also gained some impressive accolades from external sources for excellence as both a childcare provider, and as an employer. We are the only childcare company to have been listed for the last 11 years as one of the country’s top 50 “Great Places to Work” by the Great Place to Work Institute.
