Hemel Hempstead nursery receives Top 20 award for third consecutive year

Parents have rated a nursery in Hemel Hempstead as one of the Top 20 nurseries in the East of England, for the third consecutive year.

Abbot's Hill Day Nursery and Pre-School, in Bunkers Land, has received an award from the leading day nurseries reviews site - daynurseries.co.uk - with the award based on the nursery’s reviews from the children’s families and carers.

The nurseries were rated on overall standard, facilities and outside space, learning, resources and equipment and ICT, care, activities, staff, food and nutrition, management, cleanliness, safeguarding as well as value for money.

Abbot’s Hill Nursery ranked 5th out of 1,151 nurseries in the East of England and 1st in Hemel Hempstead, HP1 and Dacorum.

Mrs Jo Watkins, nursery manager at Abbot's Hill Day Nursery and Pre-School, said: “We are over the moon to receive this award for the third year in a row.

It has been a difficult year and to know that our parents are still so happy with our provision means so much to us.

"The staff team have worked hard to continue to provide the most amazing provision possible for the children in our care during such an uncertain time and their dedication has been second to none. They are all truly deserving of this recognition.”

Amanda Hopkins, reviews manager of daynurseries.co.uk, said: “We would like to congratulate Abbot's Hill Day Nursery and Pre-School on being rated by parents as a top nursery in the East of England.

"Being chosen as one of the best nurseries by family and carers of children that attend the setting is a huge achievement.

“This year has been a huge challenge for nurseries, many of whom were offering childcare to vulnerable and keyworker children during lockdown and have now opened up fully, giving parents and children that vital return to ‘normality’.

“We hope these awards will boost the spirits of nursery staff and give parents valuable guidance in choosing the right nursery for their child.

“Reviews of our Top 20 nurseries show these settings stimulate and nurture children, enhancing their social and emotional wellbeing as well as their learning.”

The daynurseries.co.uk awards are being sponsored by software company Child Paths, which produces interactive software for childcare settings and schools.

The software can be used to keep daily records, track occupancy rates, attendance, record observations of children as well as a curriculum planner and staff rota.

Ciaran Flynn, founder of Child Paths said: “With nurseries allowed open again, it will bring back some sort of normality needed for children, parents and teachers.

"I think the daynurseries.co.uk awards are very timely as it will bring a positive element to what is a very challenging time for every nursery around the country.

“It is fantastic that daynurseries.co.uk celebrate these awards by rewarding excellence and recognising what nurseries bring to society and acknowledge this great sector."

This is the second success for the Nursery in 2020 as in January it was rated ‘Outstanding in all areas’ by the ISI for the second consecutive year.

In the ISI Report it said: ‘Generous ratios enable staff to build a warm close relationship with the child for whom they are responsible’

‘Leaders and managers’ vision for the EYFS is inspired by their passion and enthusiasm for the children in their care’.

To see Abbot's Hill Day Nursery and Pre-School’s reviews go to: www.daynurseries.co.uk.