Business Details
10 Years
experience
Trusted Child Care Services in Huddersfield
Established in 2016, Almond House Day Nursery was founded by Karen Hazelden, a qualified nurse and midwife with over two decades of experience in early years education. Our purpose-built facility in Almondbury, Huddersfield, offers a nurturing environment where children aged 0-5 develop through tailored care, outdoor exploration, and creative learning. With a staff-to-child ratio exceeding industry standards, we prioritise individual attention, ensuring each child thrives. Our team holds advanced qualifications in early childhood education, including Early Years Teacher Status and Level 6 childcare certifications. The nursery features dedicated rooms for different age groups, extensive outdoor spaces for all-weather play, and a unique cooking school led by professional chefs.We maintain strong partnerships with families, providing regular updates through digital platforms like Tapestry. Sustainability and nutrition are central to our ethos, with meals prepared from scratch using locally sourced ingredients. Our commitment to continuous professional development ensures staff remain at the forefront of childcare best practices. Almond House combines Karen's legacy from her award-winning Triangle House nursery with innovative approaches to early education, creating a foundation for lifelong learning.
Services
Under Twos Care
Tweenie Programs
Pre-school Education
Outdoor Forest School
Cooking Classes
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- 25+ years combined leadership experience in early years education
- Purpose-built nursery with dedicated age-specific learning environments
- Outdoor forest school sessions for holistic development
- Home-cooked meals using locally sourced, sustainable ingredients
- Monthly cooking classes led by professional chefs
What people say
Amazing staff
Excellent food
Significant improvement
Fantastic nursery
Caring learning environment
Services
Under Twos Care
Our baby room provides a secure, stimulating environment for infants aged 0-2 years. With a 1:3 staff ratio, caregivers deliver personalised attention through sensory play and routine-based care. The space features age-appropriate resources promoting motor development and emotional security, while maintaining consistent communication with families about daily milestones and needs.
Tweenie Programs
Designed for 2-3 year olds, this program focuses on social skill development and structured learning through play. Activities include literacy sessions, creative arts, and toilet training support. The 1:4 staff ratio ensures individual guidance during transitional phases, with daily updates shared through our Tapestry digital platform to maintain home-learning continuity.
Pre-school Education
Our Ofsted-registered preschool prepares 3-5 year olds for formal education through a balanced curriculum. Qualified Early Years teachers deliver phonics instruction, numeracy games, and forest school sessions. Children engage in cultural festivals and nature-based projects, developing critical thinking while building confidence through collaborative play and independent exploration.
People
Karen Hazelden
Nursery Proprietor
A qualified nurse and midwife with 30+ years in childcare, Karen established Triangle House nursery in 1994 and Almond House in 2016. Her leadership focuses on creating nurturing environments where children develop through play-based learning and individualised care.
Brit Hazelden
Nursery Management Team
Holding a BA in Early Years and Early Years Teacher Status, Brit brings 15 years of leadership experience. She specialises in creating nature-based learning opportunities, believing outdoor play forms the foundation for lifelong curiosity and environmental awareness.
Megan Bell
Nursery Manager
As a BTEC Level 3 Early Years Educator, Megan prioritises relationship-building between children, families, and staff. She develops curriculum activities that integrate storytelling and imaginative play to enhance cognitive development and social interaction.
April Whitworth
Pre-school Room Leader
With a BA in Early Childhood Studies and EYTS, April designs literacy and numeracy programs combining structured lessons with play-based learning. She leads forest school sessions that connect academic concepts to real-world experiences through nature exploration.
Martin Bray
Nursery Chef
Martin applies 20 years of culinary expertise to create nutritious meals using seasonal produce. He co-develops cooking classes that introduce children to global cuisines while teaching food origins and healthy eating habits through hands-on preparation activities.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We provide care for children aged 0-5 years across three dedicated rooms: Under Twos (0-2), Tweenies (2-3), and Pre-school (3-5).
Are meals included in nursery fees?
Yes, all meals and snacks are provided using home-cooked recipes made from locally sourced ingredients, including special dietary requirements.
How do you support child development?
Through age-specific curricula combining structured learning, outdoor forest school sessions, cooking classes, and individualised care plans tailored to each child's needs.
Can parents visit the nursery?
We welcome prospective families to book guided tours of our facility to experience our learning environments and meet staff members.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
Our team includes Early Years Teachers, Level 6 childcare specialists, and fully trained practitioners with ongoing professional development.
How do you communicate with parents?
We use the Tapestry platform for daily updates and maintain open communication through regular face-to-face interactions and scheduled parent-teacher meetings.
Reviews (4)
Abigail Berkeley
Dec 13, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Reliability,Responsiveness,Value
Lovely nursery! The staff are very professional and the children love going and are always happy and engaged. 100% recommend.
Lovely nursery! The staff are very professional and the children love going and are always happy and engaged. 100% recommend.
Charlie Seed
Dec 09, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Reliability,Responsiveness,Value
Amazing place. The staff are very professional and really care about every child. My little girl loves it here. I recommend it to all friends and family. They are always doing amazing activities which my daughter loves taking part in. Thank you so much to the Almond team!!
Amazing place. The staff are very professional and really care about every child. My little girl loves it here. I recommend it to all friends and family. They are always doing amazing activities which my daughter loves taking part in. Thank you so much to the Almond team!!
Simon Bryan
Jul 14, 2020
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GREAT NURSERY WITH GREAT STAFF AND GREAT FOOD. Was worried about sending my son to nursery as most parents are. The staff have done everything possible to help Archie settle and I must say he loves it. He’s made some great friends and loves the staff there, the chef they have is amazing, the food Archie gets has made me question my works canteen :) always homemade fresh food that is good for you, keep up the good work
Liv Haider
Jul 10, 2020
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Couldn’t recommend Almond house enough they go above and beyond for each and every child and parent. Throughout Covid the support they have shown has been truly heart warming.
