Business Details
Trusted Jewish Nursery School in Borehamwood for Children Aged 18 Months to 5 Years
Gilah Nursery has been providing high-quality care and education for children aged 18 months to primary school age since its establishment. Our dedicated team of qualified professionals creates a safe, stimulating environment where children thrive through play-based learning and exploration. We work closely with parents to support each child's unique development, integrating Jewish values and traditions into our curriculum. Recognised as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, our nursery features a modern outdoor classroom and specialised facilities for children with additional needs. With a high staff-to-child ratio, we ensure individual attention and foster confidence, independence, and school readiness.Our comprehensive policies and annual reviews maintain our commitment to excellence in early years education. We offer flexible session options, including breakfast and after-school clubs, to accommodate working families. Our Forest School approach and Curiosity-inspired teaching methods encourage creativity and critical thinking. The nursery's inclusive ethos promotes equality and diversity, with a dedicated Nurture Room for targeted support. Regular parent engagement activities strengthen our community-focused approach.
Services
Nursery Care
Forest School
Outdoor Classroom
JOY Yoga
Special Educational Needs Support
Highlights and features
- Our Ofsted Outstanding rating reflects our exceptional teaching standards
- Highly qualified staff with NVQ Level 3 and above qualifications
- Specialised Nurture Room for children with additional needs
- Proven track record of successful school transitions since 2019
- Unique integration of Jewish festivals with Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Amazing nursery experience
Nurturing and safe environment
Children thrive
Excellent parent partnerships
Outstanding staff
Services
Nursery Care
Our nursery provides full-day care for children aged 18 months to 5 years. With a high staff-to-child ratio, we ensure individual attention through structured activities and free play. Our Ofsted-rated Outstanding provision combines Jewish values with Early Years Foundation Stage requirements, preparing children for school through play-based learning.
Forest School
The Forest School approach develops children's confidence and independence through nature-based exploration. Our outdoor classroom features sheltered learning spaces and weather-appropriate resources. This programme encourages physical development, environmental awareness, and creative problem-solving in a natural setting aligned with Jewish seasonal festivals.
Special Educational Needs Support
Our Nurture Room provides targeted support for children with additional needs. Qualified staff deliver individualised interventions while maintaining integration with mainstream activities. We collaborate with external agencies and follow Hertfordshire's Local Offer guidelines to create personalised learning plans that address speech, social, and developmental requirements.
Afternoon Sessions
Afternoon sessions extend childcare until 6pm on weekdays. These sessions maintain educational continuity through structured activities and free play. Parents benefit from flexible scheduling while children enjoy continued social development and transition support between nursery and home environments.
Parent Partnerships
We actively involve parents through regular communication, termly events, and collaborative policy development. Parents receive daily updates about their child's progress and participate in shaping nursery services. This partnership approach strengthens children's learning continuity between home and nursery environments.
People
Georgina Lesser
Head/Co-ordinator
NVQ4-qualified leader with extensive early years experience, Georgina oversees nursery operations and behaviour management. She implements educational strategies aligned with Ofsted standards and Jewish values.
Emma Bourne
Deputy Head
NVQ4-qualified Deputy Head managing afternoon sessions and staff coordination. Emma ensures consistent educational quality across all nursery programmes and operational hours.
Caroline Rosen
SENCO
NVQ3-qualified Special Educational Needs Coordinator providing targeted support. Caroline develops individual learning plans and collaborates with external specialists to address diverse developmental requirements.
Shelley Morris
Office Manager
Office Manager handling administrative operations and parent communications. Shelley ensures smooth day-to-day running of nursery services and policy implementation.
Fran Masser
Clubroom Leader
NVQ3-qualified educator leading clubroom activities. Fran manages keyworker responsibilities and facilitates social development through structured play and learning programmes.
Questions
What age range do you accept?
We accept children from 18 months until primary school age, with places offered the term before their 18th month.
Are you Ofsted registered?
Yes, we're Ofsted-registered and were rated 'Outstanding' in our July 2019 inspection across all assessment areas.
Do you offer funded places?
We offer various funding options including 15/30 hours entitlements. Contact us for specific funding arrangements and eligibility criteria.
How do you support special educational needs?
Our Nurture Room provides targeted interventions while maintaining classroom integration. We work with external specialists and follow Hertfordshire's Local Offer guidelines for SEN support.
What's your curriculum approach?
We combine Jewish festivals with Early Years Foundation Stage requirements using Forest School, Curiosity Approach, and Nurture principles for play-based learning.
Do you have outdoor facilities?
Yes, we have a modern outdoor playground and dedicated Outdoor Classroom with weather-protected learning spaces for year-round use.
