Nursery schools in Harpenden?

[Whirlwind79]

We are considering a move to Harpenden and wondered what the situation was like for nursery schools? I understand the local state schools have nursery for the rising 4s, but are there any pre-schools for younger children that aren't daycare? What I'm really looking for is the classic (for south West London, at least!) 9-12ish nursery school where they start between 2 and 3 years old and start off with a few mornings a week before going 5 days a week. Waiting lists where we currently live are crazy and you need to register children by 6m of age. Is this the same in Harpenden so have I missed the boat for my nearly 2yr old?

Also, any recommendations near the Avenues/centre of town?

Thanks

I'm not sure what the waiting lists are like, but both Riverbanks (Lower Luton Road in Batford) and Artisans (Aldwickbury) seem to have a good reputation locally - I suspect if you're flexible as to which days your DC attends, you'd probably be OK. If you're willing to go a bit further afield, Mount Carmel Kindergarten in St Albans is fabulous - rising threes can go in the afternoons and rising fours in the mornings. My youngest has just finsished there before starting Big School in September and it was great at letting her be herself while preparing her to be ready for school in terms of independence and confidence.

My children went to Batford nursery and it is truly superb. It is a proper traditional nursery school with lots of outdoor play. We turned down the nursery places offered at our outstanding primary in favour of Batford.

It is amazing. Really. Easily the best school my children have ever been to.

Thanks.

Avenues - did you have to drive your children there? The only outstanding nurseries I could find are all on that side of Harpenden (eg Crabtree) and not much available nearer the centre. In fact, the only one I have found within walking distance is Balloonatics, which is rated 'good'. I know the outstanding primary takes rising 4s, but I'm wondering what children do in Harpenden in the couple of years before that if they don't go to day care? I'd be keen for my daughter to get some independence and structure before the age of 4.

Yes, I had to drive to Batford from the other side of town. But it was well worth the short drive (7 mins) and in the end three of us shared the drive.

The other lovely thing about Batford is that it has wrap around care with Skylarks which operates out of the same premises. So if you need the occasional day where you want them to be there all day, you can do that. I had all day on every Friday which meant I could go into London.

Batford is outstanding and everyone I know who's used it is very impressed with it. The staff and facilities are incredible.

I think it is outstanding in both senses of the word.

United Reformed Church have a playgroup/nursery which is in Vaughan Road, just off the High Street.

www.urcpreschool.co.uk

It has a very good reputation and is very central.

Do you have a copy of the Mums' Guide to Harpenden? If not I suggest you buy yourself a copy as it's a font of knowledge.

No, I hadn't heard of that. Thanks v much Avenues for all the info.

I just looked it up - do you know where I can get a copy as I can't find it on the Internet and have only found the mum's guide to Harpenden website.
Thanks.

You used to be able to get a copy at WH Smith on Harpenden High Street (that's where I bought mine many moons ago). Although it's possible I suppose that they now are web only, and no longer print the guide. You would have to ask them.

They have a twitter account too.

Whirlwind - do you know where you are going to be living and therefore which school your children will end up at?

There's also a nursery up at Kinsbourne Green Common, handy if you ive out that way, their details are here:

kinsbournecommonnursery.com

Thanks Avenues. Not found anything yet but looking at houses at the top of the Avenues at the moment as would like to be in the Roundwood catchment area. Do you know if many children living there do indeed go to Roundwood? When I spoke to the admissions lady, she seemed to imply they had no children from the Avenues, but I've looked at distances and the top bit of the Avenues should definitely be in the catchment? My only conclusion was that either the lady I spoke to was wrong, or perhaps most families in the Avenues decide to send their children to independent schools.

And do you know if Roundwood really is as good as it's hyped up to be? I know it's outstanding rated etc but I I haven't yet had a chance to tour it and certainly some outstanding rated nurseries I've looked around in London haven't been anywhere near as nice as the report made them out to be. I think there's quite a lot of box-ticking when it comes to Ofsted reports so the rating isn't the only thing that matters.

Thanks