Business Details
14 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare & Preschool in Whitwell, Hertfordshire
St Paul's Walden Nursery is a community-run preschool established in 2012, providing early years education for children aged 2 to 5 in a rural Hertfordshire setting. Our Ofsted-rated 'Good' nursery prioritises child-led learning through play, with a curriculum aligned to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. We employ fully qualified staff who utilise a key person approach to support individual development, fostering independence and school readiness.The nursery benefits from strong ties to St Pauls Walden Primary School and operates under parent-led governance. Our facilities include dedicated indoor and outdoor spaces designed to stimulate creativity and physical development, with a focus on natural learning experiences.
Services
Preschool Education
Childcare Services
EYFS Curriculum
Nut-Free Environment
Outdoor Learning
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- Ofsted-rated 'Good' for quality early years provision
- Fully qualified Level 3+ childcare practitioners
- Personalised key person approach for each child
- Parent-led governance ensuring community focus
- Integrated outdoor learning environment with school partnerships
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Fantastic staff
Loves nursery
Great for making friends
Superb and enthusiastic
Thriving learning environment
Services
Preschool Education
Our preschool program delivers structured early years education aligned with the EYFS framework. Qualified practitioners facilitate child-led learning through play-based activities that develop literacy, numeracy, and social skills. The curriculum incorporates daily circle time, adult-led sessions, and outdoor exploration to prepare children for school transition.
Childcare Services
We provide flexible childcare sessions for working families in North Hertfordshire. Our Ofsted-registered service offers morning, afternoon, and full-day options with qualified staff supporting children's emotional development and independence. The nut-free environment includes structured routines with snack times, outdoor play, and personal care support.
EYFS Curriculum
Our curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework with seven areas of learning. Through observation and assessment, staff create individualised learning plans that track progress in communication, physical development, and personal skills. Activities integrate literacy, mathematics, and creative expression within both indoor and outdoor settings.
Outdoor Learning
The nursery features dedicated outdoor spaces for all-weather play and learning. Children engage in gardening activities, physical play, and sensory exploration that develop motor skills and environmental awareness. The garden supports the EYFS curriculum through practical experiences like planting seeds and weather observation.
Nut-Free Environment
We maintain a strict nut-free policy to protect children with allergies. Parents are required to provide nut-free packed lunches, and staff ensure all snacks meet allergy requirements. This policy creates a safe environment for children with food sensitivities while promoting healthy eating habits through balanced meal options.
People
Jade Watkins
Nursery Manager
Level 5 qualified manager with leadership expertise since 2012. Specialises in school readiness and SEN support through meticulous planning and staff development.
Mykalla Marsland
Deputy Manager / SENCO
Level 3 practitioner since 2018 focusing on imaginative play and literacy development. Implements safeguarding protocols and special educational needs support strategies.
Jade Guilder
Nursery Practitioner
Level 3 qualified educator specialising in mathematical development through cooking activities. Supports children's self-esteem and collaborative learning since 2023.
Allana Boyd
Nursery Practitioner
Creative arts specialist with Level 3 qualification. Develops children's expressive skills through painting and colour recognition activities since joining in 2021.
Kelly Metcalf
Administrator
Funding expert managing childcare entitlements since 2021. Ensures compliance with financial requirements while maintaining family records and documentation.
Questions
What are your operating hours and session options?
We operate term time only, 9:00-15:00 Monday-Friday. Session options include morning (9:00-12:00), afternoon (13:00-15:00), and full day (9:00-15:00) with lunch club.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
All staff hold Level 3 Early Years Educator qualifications or higher. We maintain paediatric first aid certification, food hygiene training, and safeguarding credentials.
How do you support children's learning and development?
We use the EYFS framework with key person approach, individual learning plans, and mixed-age group activities that promote independence and school readiness through play.
What is your Ofsted rating and inspection history?
We hold an Ofsted 'Good' rating following inspections in November 2024 and December 2018, recognising our curriculum quality and child development outcomes.
What funding options are available?
We accept 15-hour and 30-hour government childcare entitlements for 3-4 year olds, plus childcare vouchers from major providers like Edenred and Sodexo.
