Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge

100a Sandpit Lane, St Albans AL4 0BX
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Top 20 award
10 132 Reviews
  • Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge, St Albans
Mount Carmel Kindergarten is a leading nursery school in St Albans, combining preschool education and day care facilities to children aged two years and above.

This nursery school is set in its own purpose-built Norwegian log cabin and located in beautiful green belt countryside. It offers children four distinct activity rooms and a spacious all-weather garden to ignite their curiosity and develop a love of learning.

Mount Carmel Kindergarten has developed its own "carousel" method of teaching, providing children with a balance of structure and choice and ensuring that all their educational needs are met. The highly qualified staff offer children a balance of fun, exploration and challenging activities including weekly country walks and cooking as well as Christmas Nativity plays and summer sports days.   

Flexible all-day sessions are available to children aged two to five years during term time. Holiday clubs are also available to parents, run by Mount Carmel staff for Mount Carmel children.

Mount Carmel Kindergarten has excellent links with local primary schools in St Albans, Harpenden and the surrounding area including St Albans High School, Habasdashas, Aldwickbury and St Columbus.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Gabriella Spooner (Principal)

Admission Information

  • Flexible attendance

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 15

Total Places for Children

  • 50

Age Range

  • from 2 years 1 months
  • to 4 years 11 months

Funding & Fees

  • Children are eligible to join the nursery from the September following their second birthday. We accept all childcare vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare.


    Funding for working parents is only available for parents who meet the eligibility criteria. To find out if you are eligible and apply for the working parents funding you will need to visit the Government website Childcare Choices and apply through your HMRC childcare portal.


    Three year old universal funding is available to all children in the term after their third birthday.


    *Please note that the local authority funding rates for two-year-olds and three-year-olds are not the same. This is reflected in the price disparity between the different age groups.


    Nursery sessions are also available throughout the school holidays.


    To view our fees schedule please see our website.

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-17:00
    Tuesday 08:00-17:00
    Wednesday 08:00-17:00
    Thursday 08:00-17:00
    Friday 08:00-17:00

When Closed

  • Never

Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge Reviews (132)

10

Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge has a Review Score of 10 (10.000) out of 10, based on 14 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge has 132 reviews.

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Review from C B (Mother of Child) published on 10 January 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Kinder Lodge was my only consideration when looking for a nursery for my children. It is set in a secure, secluded environment with ample beautiful surroundings for my child to go on a weekly woodland walk. The staff are highly qualified and were accommodating to my child's specific needs. The setting
itself is to a high specification and well organised. My first thoughts when having a personal guided tour was that it was beautifully and uniquely laid out and had really considered everything including sheltered outdoor space for my children to play under if it rains. My child especially enjoys the singing time at the end of each day. I cannot recommend this nursery enough as my children truly flourished and thrived whilst spending two years here.
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Review from Alia C (Mother of Child) published on 11 June 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Lovely nursery, my daughter settled in so well with the help of fantastic teachers. All staff seem so engaged with the children. My daughter loves going to nursery every morning - a parent could ask for nothing more!
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Review from Claire D (Mother of Child) published on 9 June 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel provides nothing but exceptional care in a nurturing environment with superb early years education. Not only has our son's academic and personal development come along tenfold, but he is also always happy and excited to attend. Simply put, it is the best independent nursery in Hertfordshire!
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Review from Nicole S (Mother of Child) published on 28 February 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel Kindergarten is an outstanding nursery. My daughter is currently in her second year and my youngest is due to start in September.


I couldn’t recommend this nursery/pre-school highly enough. They are the perfect combination of professional and caring.


Throughout our two year experience

so far all of the teaching staff have been exceptional. I receive updates on my daughter's developmental achievements and she loves telling me about the pictures they send home to summarise her day.


She settled straight away as their confident staffing team made her feel safe and loved. The facilities are exceptional. The rooms that the children rotate around mean that they never get bored (library, art room, gym, garden ect).


Every morning my daughter wakes up and asks if it’s a school day in hope. I couldn’t ask for more.

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Review from D S (Father of Child) published on 28 February 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing staff with so much heart and caring mindset. It’s wonderful seeing our daughter get excited about going to pre-school here. The teachers really make an effort to engage the kids and develop them in a very individualised way. The management is really committed to providing a safe, fun, and loving
environment and we’re very thankful to the whole team.
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Review from Laura C (Mother of Child) published on 25 February 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
After sending my son to Mount Carmel, I always new I would send my daughter as well. They have both loved every minute of it. I sent my daughter a year earlier than my son as she was born in lockdown and I didn't want her to struggle with leaving me, making friends or learning and she has come on leaps
and bounds. The caring and nurturing staff are amazing and have now, over the years, become our friends. I would highly recommend.
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Review from G S (Father of Child) published on 25 February 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my children have attended Mount Carmel and have thoroughly enjoyed their time there.
My daughter is in the preschool year and will be very sad to leave such a loving and nurturing environment.
She particularly loves the weekly cooking sessions, ‘show and tell’ and performing in the Christmas
nativity play!
I cannot fault the staff and management team and daily/weekly communications through the online app are exemplary.
Thank you Mount Carmel for everything you have done for my children.
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Review from Candice H (Mother of Child) published on 17 January 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel has been a positive experience for my children as well as us as parents. It is so reassuring to see them form such special friendships and flourish into happy, confident children that thoroughly enjoying going to nursery. My kids settled very quickly at the setting because the staff are
all so lovely and nurturing. They’re excellent and we are going to really miss the Mount Carmel family when it is time to say goodbye.
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Review from Mina H (Mother of Child) published on 1 August 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Where do I start? My once clingy son has blossomed into a confident, chatty, kind and sensitive child who is curious, loves learning and loves socialising. The nurturing environment that Mount Carmel provides is exactly what you want for your child. The staff are so caring and diverse. Being a family-run
business means that the care they provide for your child and for you as parents is second to none. We had a bereavement at the end of term and the support and empathy they provided my son *and even to us*, to help cope, was invaluable and will never be forgotten.
We are so thankful to Mount Carmel Kindergarten for everything they have done to help give my son the best start to life.
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Review from Natalie O (Mother of Child) published on 10 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my children have now been at Mount Carmel Nursery - my youngest is there now in her preschool year.
I can't adequately express how warm and family-like this nursery is, more than any nursery I've ever seen, it feels like the staff are creating one big family. Every single member of staff is engaging,
supportive and loves the children; they seem to enjoy the days and the activities as much as the children do! The activities are so broad; cooking, singing time, country walks, painting, phonics to name a few.
The day is structured in a way that the children know what is coming next, which gives them the security and freedom to explore within that. Learning is hands-on and through play. Children are supported to explore and learn at their own pace, doing the things that they love doing. Mount Carmel prepares them for school in a fun and enjoyable way.
I have watched my child grow and develop in their care, she loves to go to nursery school and talks about it all the time!
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Review from B A (Mother of Child) published on 15 January 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I could not ask for a better nursery for my daughter. She absolutely loves it at Mount Carmel and cried at weekends when I say it's not a nursery day, if that is not a testament to how fab a nursery is then I don't know what is! A huge thank you to all the staff for creating such a loving and caring
environment. My daughter's development has been amazing and I can see the growth and changes in her on a daily basis. The range of activities really gives children the exposure they need to develop. It's truly a home away from home.
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Review from Angelika M (Mother of Child) published on 29 December 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are very happy with Mount Carmel Kindergarten and are so thankful that we were able to get a place for our son a few months ago. From day one we noticed a big difference in him compared to how he was at previous nurseries. He runs in with a big smile and always comes home happy and wants to keep
playing, he excitedly tells us what he did on the day and he bonded really well with the teachers and staff. We also love the app, it's nice to see photos and be able to communicate with his teachers. Thanks so much for looking after him so well!
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Review from Amy K (Mother of Child) published on 11 December 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot recommend Mount Carmel Kindergarten enough, everyone is so friendly and caring towards the children. It is a very nurturing environment, staff attend to each individual child’s needs. My son has settled in very well and always comes running out with a big smile.
My eldest son attended Mount
Carmel Kindergarten and has recently started primary school. I believe Mount Carmel Kindergarten prepared him really well for the transition.
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Review from Lucy T (Mother of Child) published on 27 August 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have just had our third child and like the other two will be signing her up shortly! Our eldest has made fantastic progress especially in his language and social development where he was experiencing some delays prior to attending. Mount Carmel Kindergarten has always been so nurturing of him and
supportive with our entire family, and I know our wider family are always impressed that the staff remember all our children's names. Having grown up in St Albans, I always wanted to send my children to Mount Carmel Kindergarten, and I am so glad I have had the opportunity to do so.
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Review from T B (Father of Child) published on 27 March 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have been super impressed with Mount Karmel Kindergarten since our son joined in September. It is a fun, bright and positive environment that provides an excellent backdrop for effective learning and development. The teaching staff are enthusiastic, professional, nurturing and caring and we would
highly recommend Mount Karmel Kindergarten to others.
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Review from Punam P (Mother of Child) published on 27 March 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband and I are very satisfied with the care and support from the lovely team at Mount Carmel Kindergarten. My son runs in now and obviously loves his afternoons there.
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Review from Naz (Mother of Child) published on 18 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We could not have found a more wonderful nursery for our son to spend his pre-school years. Mount Carmel is extremely well run, with a strong family ethos. Each child is greeted by name as they arrive with big smiles and are made to feel so special. Staff are always accessible to answer questions. The
app is fantastic - the photos and messages give us such a lovely insight into our son's day. Overall Mount Carmel is a wonderful, nurturing, stimulating nursery with caring staff who take an interest in every child. We would not hesitate to recommend Mount Carmel!
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Review from Adele (Mother of Child) published on 10 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has additional needs which only became apparent at 30 months, a few months before his planned Mount Carmel start date. It was a big surprise and adjustment for our family. We approached Mount Carmel and were overwhelmed by their welcoming and accepting response. This nursery is an absolute treasure.
Our son is cared for by a team of professionals who feel more like an extended family. The nursery is spotless, warm and welcoming, and incredibly well - organised. Prompt updates on progress, daily meet and greet updates, a personal call and even a home visit...they really do it all. They have been open to working with specialist professionals, and positively adopting additional strategies which our son needs to enable him to thrive. It makes the choice of prep school difficult for us as parents because we are looking for the next environment that will continue to create the happy, secure, nurturing and inclusive environment which our son has become accustomed to at Mount Carmel.
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Review from Oliver L (Father of Child) published on 28 January 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel is truly a magical and wonderful kindergarten to go to. It is like a home-from-home. The teachers are all so warm, friendly and nurturing. My son absolutely adores Mount Carmel and so do I. Not only are they there to help, support and care for your child but parents too.
They take the
time to help and guide you through your child developing and growing into little people. My son continues to blossom every day that he goes.
I could not have wished for a better place to send him. It's the perfect place to be.
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Review from Sadie L (Mother of Child) published on 6 January 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel is truly a magical and wonderful kindergarten to go to. It is like a home from home. The teachers are all so warm, friendly and nurturing. My son absolutely adores Mount Carmel and so do I. Not only are they there to help, support and care for your child but also for the parents too. They
take time to help and guide you through your child's development and growing into little people. My son continues to blossom every day he goes there. I could not have wished for a better place to send him. It is the perfect place to be.
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (10.000)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (10.000) out of 10 for Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 14 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 14 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 5.000 for Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge is calculated as follows: ( (164 Excellents x 5) ) ÷ 164 Ratings = 5
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge is based on 14 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 50 number of registered child places is 10, which has been reached with 14 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (20)

Meet the Team (9)

Gabriella

Gabriella Spooner

Job Title: Principal/SENCO/DSO Joined: 2008

Gabriella Spooner (nee Federici) has worked in Early Years since 2008 and brings her experience from a number of different roles within the sector. Now as a mother of 2 children, she has gained a new perspective and understanding of the pressures on modern Mums. In her ‘spare’ time she enjoys singing and dancing with the St Albans Musical Theatre Company.


Qualifications: Early Years Professional Status (2013), BA (Hons) Educational Studies and Early Years (2013).

Stefano

Stefano Federici

Job Title: Administration Manager Joined: 2019

Stefano is responsible for admissions, enquiries and nursery administration. He is the go to person for questions regarding fees, funding and sessions. Prior to joining the family business, Stefano taught English to children in Rome and later worked as a commercial manager at Marks and Spencers.


Qualifications: BA (Hons) Italian Studies (2008), Cambridge Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults (2009), Cambridge Certificate of English Language Teaching to Young Learners (2010).

Catherine

Catherine Tarelli

Job Title: Nursery Teacher Joined: 2019

Qualifications: Ba (Hons) Primary Education with Initial Teacher Training (2003)

Natalie

Natalie Rayment

Job Title: Nursery Teacher Joined: 2008

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Educational Studies (2014)

Stacey

Stacey Cannell

Job Title: Nursery Teacher Joined: 2012

Qualifications: CACHE Level 3 Childcare

Karen

Karen Connell

Job Title: Nursery Teacher Joined: 2019

Qualifications: CACHE Level 3 in Childcare

Ishanka

Ishanka Fernando

Job Title: Nursery Assistant Joined: 2018

Qualifications: CACHE Level 3 in Childcare.

Hannah

Hannah Axworthy

Job Title: Nursery Teacher Joined: 2019

Qualifications: Level 3 in CACHE Childcare Learning and Development, BA (Hons) Education Studies (2017).

Libby

Libby Carolan

Job Title: Nursery Teacher Joined: 2021

Currently studying level 3 in Cache Childcare.

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