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 13 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge has 132 reviews.

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Review from S W (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel is just the most wonderful nursery and preschool in St Albans. The amazing, very knowledgable staff go above and beyond to ensure all the children are happy and having lots of fun, but also learning something new at every opportunity. Our eldest daughter has just left and she’s a confident,
secure, happy little girl who is more than ready to start school in September (despite being born at the end of August). Our youngest is gearing up to start next term and she could not be more excited to begin! We couldn’t recommend Mount Carmel Kindergarten highly enough. 5*
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Review from Ryan F (Father of Child) published on 15 July 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have been delighted by the very high standard of care and development the team at Mount Carmel have provided our daughter. The nurturing and development has seen our daughter thrive during her time there and we are so grateful. The management and their staff always go the extra mile and from Nativity
play at Christmas through seasonal activities to their legendary sports day, our daughter is happy to go in and comes home full of spirit from the new days learning and activities. I would be happy to recommend Mount Carmel to any of our friends and associates who wish their child to receive first-class development and pastoral care. The option of holiday club service they provide is an added bonus and provides our daughter with different activities and continuation of learning and development in a fun and safe environment.
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Review from A N (Mother of Child) published on 15 July 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel is a lovely and warm environment. Both of my children have loved every minute there. The facilities are excellent and the staff clearly care about the children. The carousel system where the children move from room to room to different activities keeps them engaged and stimulated. The garden
is fantastic and very well equipped. My children have thrived in their care and I'm delighted that they have enjoyed the best possible preparation for school.
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Review from Jelena P (Mother of Child) published on 27 June 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am a mother of 4 children and I can truly recommend Mount Carmel. My youngest child was fortunate to attend this amazing kinder garden and they were such a special part of her emotional, social and academical development.


Having 4 children we went to so many different nurseries, both London and

St Albans, but this is something completely different. The approach, the facilities and the cleanness is on a completely different level from everything that I had seen before. The staff have been very influential for my child and should be recognised for their talented and compassionate personalities. I can for definitely say that this is a nursery like no other and I am hugely grateful for my child to have been educated here.
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Review from Ewa Z (Mother of Child) published on 3 January 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel Kindergarten has been giving my child an amazing opportunity to develop his strengths and knowledge about the surrounding world. Very supportive and always willing to help staff. Warm, responsive, friendly environment that makes my child want to go to nursery. I could not imagine a better
nursery for my son.
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Review from D T (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter started this September and settled wonderfully thanks to the kind attentive teaching staff. She is itching to get into her uniform each morning and always leaves with a skip and a smile proudly clutching her latest masterpiece. Highly recommended!
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Review from Lucy S (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A wonderful nursery with staff who are warm, engaging and nurturing. My son has progressed already since starting in September. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this kindergarten.
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Review from Freya C (Mother of Child) published on 21 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel Kindergarten has provided our daughter with amazing opportunities.


She is always excited about going each day.


The facilities and teaching are superb.


There is no turn over of staff so the children get consistent care.


The weekly country walk and ‘show and tell’ are high lights

for our daughter.
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Review from Sarah O (Mother of Child) published on 20 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All 3 of my children have greatly enjoyed their time at Mount Carmel. It is fun and friendly but sets them up well for school with separate ‘lessons’. My son is particularly enjoying his weekly cookery at the moment


I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the nursery.

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Review from Kelly M (Mother of Child) published on 20 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel Kindergarten is a lovely nursery set in a cosy wooden cabin, with a great little playground out the back. Each session sees the kids doing arts and crafts, puzzles, singing, dancing and learning how to play with their peers.
The nursery’s structured approach to activities really appealed
to me as my son likes routine and it helps him know what to expect each day. In his second year in the nursery it will also help prepare him for school.
Best of all, the staff are kind, arming and very good at settling both nervous new children and parents alike!
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Review from Josephine L (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have tried five different nurseries in the St. Albans and Harpenden area with my three children over the last 13-years.
This nursery is by far the best and my favourite one. I see my child being happy and making good friendships in his group.
The staff are very professional and helpful. Every time
I get some feedback from the day. This nursery is not just a happy play area but a place of effortless learning. I can’t recommend it more!
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Review from S D (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery is set in a cosy cabin style cottage in playing fields. The care shown towards the child is very good.
The staff in the nursery are well grounded and professional. The nursery has helped improve the confidence in my child a great deal. Highly recommend the country walks and the baking sessions
conducted in the nursery every week.
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Review from Sarah S (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I couldn't have found a more perfect nursery for my daughter to attend. The nursery has a genuine family feel and they have made us feel so welcome from the very first day. The facilities are outstanding and the activities my daughter gets to partake in, from magical woodland walks to baking, mean she
is so excited to go in each day. She has been thoroughly supported in her learning and the progress she has made over the time she has been there is truly exceptional. She absolutely loves nursery and has grown so much in confidence over her time there. She is made to feel supported and cared for in all that she does at Mount Carmel and I can not thank them enough for the superb start she has had to her education. I only wish they ran a primary school too!
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Review from Laura O (Mother of Child) published on 16 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel has been wonderful for my son, he throughly enjoys his time there and I always feel secure knowing he is safe and well cared for.
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Review from Jennifer P (Mother of Child) published on 9 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Feel so lucky to have our son at Mount Carmel. Our son absolutely loves it at MCK. Amazing nursery all around!
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Review from Edward B (Father of Child) published on 26 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been exceptionally happy at Mount Carmel Kindergarten. He's an active child and the space has been really great for him - both outdoors, where he enjoys playing on climbing apparatus, or with sand or water and indoors, where the children move around different classrooms and also have the
benefit of a big gym to play in. The teachers are professional and highly skilled. They regularly update our child's progress via their online Tapestry system and parents can leave comments, too. The management is consistent and there is always a friendly face to welcome children in. Parents can accompany their child into the classroom to see which activities they will be doing. Children in the pre-school classes are encouraged to meet and exceed early years related targets through play, singing, acting, reading time and adult-led activities such as counting with beads or counters, recognising sounds through phonics and pencil control. I don't think our son could have had a better start.
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Review from N P (Mother of Child) published on 26 February 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel is a fantastic nursery. A beautiful cabin set in playing fields makes it a perfect setting and the children get to enjoy weekly country walks.
The staff are incredibly friendly, attentive and always so helpful. All three of my children have come to Mount Carmel and my two daughters were
so sad to leave this amazing nursery.
My youngest started in September 2017 and refused to talk to anyone. The staff were very supportive and within weeks they had encouraged him to talk!
Now he won't stop talking to them. This is the best nursery in Hertfordshire!
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Review from Anna J (Mother of Child) published on 15 February 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel is such a wonderful nursery. My daughter has been here since September and thoroughly enjoys it.
Every member of staff is totally professional while being kind and patient too.
There is such a lovely atmosphere at Mount Carmel it is the most welcoming and friendly place where children
thrive.
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Review from Ellie R (Mother of Child) published on 13 February 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel Kindergarten is a very special nursery. On joining, great care is taken to get to know each child really well.
The staff are all very friendly, experienced and professional.
It is a nurturing and happy environment where there are lots of adventures to be had. The children are introduced
to a wide range of activities. Our daughter particularly loves the art room and the outside space.
She is having a wonderful time at Mount Carmel.
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Review from Barbara (Mother of Child) published on 9 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel is a wonderful nursery. A truly remarkable place. My daughter had never attended nursery before, and we had recently moved here from abroad when - at two and a half - she started at Mount Carmel. I was extremely worried, given the huge change of life I was putting her through. But her teacher
and all the staff welcomed her in all possible ways, and in only a few days she settled in and was smiling every day when I dropped her off. This made our transition into a new life in England much easier, and more special. Now, a little over a year later, my daughter is still extremely happy. And I have seen her progress in so many ways - from her English language (she is multilingual), to her artwork and singing, to her social skills. It is hard to describe such a special place in a few words, but I would definitely recommend Mount Carmel not only for being a top quality nursery but for being able to provide a real "home away from home" environment to the children.
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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 13 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 13 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: ( (152 Excellents x 5) ) ÷ 152 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 13 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 13 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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