Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge

100a Sandpit Lane, St Albans AL4 0BX
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Top 20 award
9.9 136 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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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.

Contact Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge to get a personalised quote.

Contact Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge to get a personalised quote.

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

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 (136)

9.9

Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.875) out of 10, based on 15 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge has 136 reviews.

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Review from Mary O (Mother of Child) published on 30 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are delighted with Mount Carmel it is exceptional in every way and this is evident in all the happy, engaged children. It is a great environment for little ones. It is creative, varied and structured all at once. Our little boy has learned lots, built lovely friends and had great fun along the way.
Management and teachers have a great rapport with parents- it's an honest dialogue and everything feels open for discussion which is appreciated. My son has loved the arts activities, the ample outdoor play and the engagement with the natural world- pet day and crocus planting especially!
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Review from Carrie S (Mother of Child) published on 5 December 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my children have attended Mount Carmel Kindergarten from the ages of 2-5. I have attended my youngest sons last Christmas nativity play today which was fantastic. It really is a wonderful place and I will be sad when we leave next year. The staff are kind, helpful and enthusiastic. My son loves
baking on a Friday and making soup, bread and sausage rolls are his favourites. Holiday club and extended opening hours have made the return to work easier and the holidays, not such a drama. They particularly love the scooter racing and water play in the summer at holiday club. Communication home is great with weekly blogs and timely reminders about events coming up. The teachers always provide feedback on your child's progress and take time to talk to you. I am looking forward to the sports day and finally the graduation in the summer term. As a local family run nursery with over 30 years experience in childcare, it really is a wonderful place.
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Review from Anthony T (Father of Child) published on 9 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel is simply brilliant. Our daughter has been nurtured beautifully and is so happy. She has also learnt a huge amount and gained huge amounts of confidence - nothing could have prepared her for school better. The staff and facilities are both brilliant. There has been lots of fun had in the
wonderful (purpose built) garden, as well as in the brilliantly equipped gym and other inside spaces.
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Review from Tina S (Mother of Child) published on 26 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery is forward thinking adapting and improving all the time. They have done an excellent job getting my son ready for school. His is familiar with his phonics and numeracy. We like tapestry which keeps us up to date with EYES and progress our son is making.
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Review from Ana F (Mother of Child) published on 26 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I was and still am impressed by the professionalism, teaching standards and enthusiasm the staff at Mount Carmel have. They give us so much confidence that our kids are safe, happy and stimulated when we leave them at the nursery. We have come to an end of 2 years with Mount Carmel and are very proud
of what our child has achieved and how well he is prepared to join primary school. The nursery puts extra effort to be outstanding from using the online system Tapestry to provide us with feedback and development of our child, to bakery sessions, sports day and even a proper graduation with proper mortar hats and certificates.
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Review from Charley P (Mother of Child) published on 26 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have been consistently impressed by the quality of education provided by Mount Carmel. My son and daughter both thrived here and my daughter always welcomes the chance to come back and visit even after going to big school. My son still attends Mount Carmel and enjoys every minute here! There are regular
baking, woodland walks and singing sessions. My children love the staff here and so do we!
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Review from J K (Mother of Child) published on 23 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter loves Mount Carmel and is disappointed on the days she does not attend. The surroundings and facilitates are fantastic. The staff are nurturing and provide a caring, friendly environment. The wrap around care and holiday club are an added bonus with different themes each week.
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Review from Shirley S (Grandmother of Child) published on 23 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am so happy that my grandson has thrived at Mount Carmel starting nursery can be such a stressful time for both parents and children but Mount Carmel effortlessly put both my daughter and grandson at ease. As an ex-nursery school teacher I couldn't rate it highly enough.
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Review from Sebastian Q (Father of Child) published on 9 February 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very professionally led nursery, staff and management have great experience. Our children have been very happy there for day one.
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Review from Elene Q (Mother of Child) published on 9 February 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel is very welcoming and a very good environment for children, very structured and very nurturing. MCK has been outstanding, we love their activities, staff and facilities. MCK has amazing dedicated long term staff who will put your kids first, enabling them to feel safe as well as stimulating
their interests and exposing them to new activities and concepts.
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Review from Amanda L (Mother of Child) published on 8 February 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We moved our daughter to Mount Carmel last year from another day care setting and we are really, really pleased with it. Her confidence has grown and she absolutely loves it. They have done so many interesting things, and each child is treated very much as an individual. Highly recommended.
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Review from G B (Mother of Child) published on 3 February 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mount Carmel is an excellent nursery. The staff are wonderful, caring, friendly and very understanding, always happy to help. The nursery provides lots of exciting activities and every day is different with structure, learning and most of all plenty of fun. It is a secure, friendly and warm environment
with lots of very happy children. My daughter has attended the nursery for over a year now and she absolutely loves everything about it. I'm so pleased I chose Mount Carmel and would highly recommend it.
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Review from Kate B (Mother of Child) published on 28 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I love Mount Carmel Kindergarten, my daughter who does 2 afternoons looks forward to going each week, she loves her teachers and loves telling me what she has done each time she goes. All the staff are lovely and friendly and you are always made to feel welcome. You feel relaxed and at ease leaving
your child at Mount Carmel as it has a very homely atmosphere. I would 100% recommend to all my friends and family, it's a wonderful place for any child to start their education.
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Review from Michelle T (Mother of Child) published on 27 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Outstanding care is provided to my child at Mount Carmel. She attends all day sessions, sometimes when I pick her up in the evening she's the last one there but she is never happy to leave as the staff are always engaged ensuring that she is happy and has someone to play games with. She has become more
independent through their nurturing care and she enjoys learning new things which is based on her learning needs. Encouraged but never made to feel that they are under achieving. To sum up a fantastic nursery providing excellent care!
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Review from Pavel N (Father of Child) published on 27 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are greeted every morning by staff at the door where the children are spoken to and asked how they are and what they are going to be doing during the morning. The best welcome for parent and child in my opinion!
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Review from V T (Mother of Child) published on 22 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very nurturing and caring environment. Professional and appropriate. My little one is very happy here.
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Review from D M (Father of Child) published on 20 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My 3 years old daughter settled in so easily from he very first day at Mount Carmel. As a bilingual child who predominately spoke Italian prior to starting nursery, her English improved significantly within weeks of starting at Mount Carmel. They have promoted her independence in many aspects of her
daily life and she looks forward to the many diverse activities that are on offer at Mount Carmel every day. We could not recommend Mount Carmel highly enough!
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Review from Adam H (Father of Child) published on 18 January 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have now had 3 children attend Mount Carmel over the last 10 years and the experience on each occasion has been excellent. They give your children the best possible start to their education in a safe and caring environment. I would strongly recommend Mount Carmel to anyone.
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Review from Anja J (Mother of Child) published on 15 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter enjoys going to nursery very much. She loves wearing the uniforms. The playground is spacious and there are a lot of activities available for the kids to play.
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Review from Lucie A (Mother of Child) published on 15 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
In my opinion Mount Carmel is an excellent nursery. It is run to a very high standard and is excellently managed. The staff are happy, inspiring, very caring, well trained and professional. The environment is very clean and is purpose built for a children's kindergarten. The activities provided are
wide-ranging, very well thought out and educational through excellent play resources/materials and apparatus. The outside space is ideal and stimulating fro children. My children come to learn and have fun there.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.875)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.875) 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 15 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.9 out of 5 from 15 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: ( (175 Excellents x 5) ) ÷ 175 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 4.875 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Mount Carmel Kindergarten - Kinder Lodge is based on 15 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 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 3.875
    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 15 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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