Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin)

11 Highbury Road, Hitchin SG4 9RW
Review Us
9.7 126 Reviews
  • Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin), Hitchin
Highbury Lodge Day Nursery is set in a beautiful converted Victorian building, with spacious interiors and adaptable play areas.

Activities are designed by highly trained practitioners in line with EYFS principles.

Strong parent partnerships are promoted within the nursery with parent partnership meetings and a fully inclusive package as part of the service. They have also achieved an Eco-Schools Green Flag award by implementing 'Green initiatives' within the nursery.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Kirsty Rose (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 42

Total Places for Children

  • 83

Age Range

  • from 0 years 2 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 2 Inset Days

Parking

  • Free parking is available onsite.

Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) Reviews (126)

9.7

Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.741) out of 10, based on 15 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) has 126 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin)
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Total of 126, showing 1-20
Review from J R (Mother of Child) published on 26 August 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
A lovely nursery, if a little dated on decor and equipment. Key worker staff are brilliant, a real credit to the nursery. They are always willing to take the time to debrief and discuss your child's day with you.


Positives - excellent communication with staff, feels like the children do a range

of activities within the nursery and you are kept abreast of their development. Key workers are really creative in bringing interests to the fore. Food seems to be varied with a lot of vegetables.


Negatives - the actual nursery is very inflexible with the days/times/sessions you can book for. You have to pay for full days and any changes take 6 weeks to implement. One of the most expensive in Hitchin but not sure what extra you get for this. Activities seem to be very internally focused e.g. no trips, no forest school etc. so it does feel a bit repetitive for the children. Some of the rooms are pretty packed with children on peak days

Reply from Lauren Clarke, Home Manager at Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin)
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review and for your lovely comments regarding our team & it means a great deal to us and we will pass your feedback on. Some of the areas mentioned…read more
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Review from Melissa R (Mother of Child) published on 11 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We've had a wonderful experience with this nursery, having entrusted both our daughters to their care over the years. Most recently, our youngest daughter has absolutely thrived. From her very first settling-in session to each room transition thereafter, she was consistently welcomed with genuine warmth
and kindness, quickly feeling at home in the nurturing environment the team works so hard to create. Her development has been remarkable, and it's been a joy to watch her grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity each day.
The nursery itself is vibrant and engaging, with well-planned activities that support meaningful learning and development. The care provided by every member of the team - from the amazing key workers and room leaders to the friendly and incredibly supportive office staff - has been exceptional. We're so grateful for the care our daughters have received and would wholeheartedly recommend this exceptional setting to any family.
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Review from Hayley H (Mother of Child) published on 24 April 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son joined Highbury Lodge in October 2023, firstly in Caterpillars room and now Ladybirds. We have been delighted with his experience so far. The care and attention shown to him on a daily basis means that he has grown into a confident, kind and happy toddler! We feel very well supported as parents
too - all developmental hurdles have been navigated expertly and professionally by the team. Our son's language, creativity, socialising and all round learning has been propelled by the support of all staff at the nursery. We love receiving updates of his day, linked to framework indicators so we can further develop his learning at home. He genuinely loves going to nursery every day and talks constantly about his friends and the staff at the end of his day. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly and it is clear that staff have taken the time to get to know our son. He is thriving at Highbury Lodge.
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Review from Zoe D (Mother of Child) published on 24 April 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot say enough positive things about Highbury Lodge! From the start every effort was made to ensure my daughter settled in and I was given multiple settle sessions. This was invaluable and a key reason she has gotten on so well there as we were given this opportunity to do it gradually. I know
from experience that this is not offered by other nurseries and it felt personalised for us. My daughter has clearly bonded with several of the workers in her room which is lovely to see. I can see how much the activities have helped her develop and what she has learned. I also appreciate that she was not forced onto one nap until she was ready. I have been impressed by the food and the updates which make my day when I am at work. The staff always chat during pick up/drop off and all seem to know my daughter well. Whenever I have needed to contact the nursery I have received same day responses and they've been so helpful around the government funding. An amazing place all round!
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Review from Bhavik P (Father of Child) published on 8 January 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son started nursery September 2024 (3 days) at 12 months of age. Very surprised to see him happily settling in a months time. Team offers tailored approach.
Menu is recently revised and is fantastic.
Nursery delivers valuable information through weekly newsletter and team is very knowledgeable
and patiently delivers daily child's update during pick-up. Nursery app delivers child's daily update and Learning and development plan.
Nursery engages in regular extra-curricular activities.
Only downside limited space in garden for younger children, equipped with fewer garden toys.
Expensive though for obvious services as above, could only secure 3 days.
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Review from Nick H (Father of Child) published on 8 January 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We now have our second daughter at Highbury Lodge and she's loving it as much as our first. Both made great leaps in their learning, creativity and confidence as a result of the superb staff and teaching. Each time they moved up a class I've been worried about the teachers they're leaving behind, but
every time the new teachers have been just as caring and supportive. It's worth pointing out that the excellence goes throughout the nursery with the office, kitchen and all other staff just as good. A brilliant nursery.
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Review from J R (Father of Child) published on 15 November 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has grown so much since being at Highbury Lodge. She has been attending the nursery for about a year and a half and the two rooms she has been in so far have been amazing. The staff are incredible and provide wonderful experiences for her. I really enjoy hearing about her day and reading
the updates online of her development.
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Review from Poppy C (Mother of Child) published on 7 November 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
From day one, Highbury Lodge have gone above and beyond in the caretaking of our child. All of the staff members are warm and welcoming and any queries are always dealt with in a highly professional manner. During his time at the nursery, our son has developed a great love of learning through the carefully
planned activities offered throughout the setting and his confidence and independence have flourished. All of the team show a fantastic knowledge and understanding of education in the early years and I am filled with happiness to watch my child enter the nursery, knowing that each day he is shown kindness and respect, whilst embedding important values under the gentle guidance of the practitioners. Each room is well resourced and reflects the specific learning taking place throughout the week, with set tasks to inspire. We are so thankful to have secured a place at Highbury Lodge and know that this is a fantastic investment for his wellbeing and future. Keep up the fantastic work!
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Review from R M (Mother of Child) published on 6 November 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both of my children are excited every morning to go to nursery. My eldest is now in Bumblebees and started in Caterpillars when 9 months old and my youngest started in Caterpillars a couple of months ago. The staff are very caring and genuinely fond of the children. The nursery is very child-centric
and the children are welcome to explore the entire nursery including the office and all of the staff actively engage in conversations with the children. They do a range of fun age appropriate activities in each room and my eldest was fascinated by the hatching chicks that were in the nursery foyer last spring. We are really pleased that we chose to send our children to Highbury Lodge Day Nursery and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend this nursery to other parents.
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Review from C M (Mother of Child) published on 22 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Our child has been greatly supported throughout his years at Highbury. His Key worker has been amazing as has all the staff.
The food is brilliant and the resources, including the garden, have been well stocked with lots of fun things to do.
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Review from A A (Father of Child) published on 2 May 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son absolutely loves Highbury Lodge in Hitchin. He's kept very busy and is always encouraged to learn new things and be active. The care workers are professional and diligent, and he gets excited about returning to nursery after a weekend.
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Review from Michelle S (Mother of Child) published on 1 May 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am delighted with the service from Highbury Lodge Day Nursery. My two girls are treated with the same care and love as at home and they learn so much from the team. Our baby is overcoming her separation anxiety and our toddler has learned how to write Mummy! Such a great team. Couldn’t thank them
enough for all they do.
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Review from Gemma B (Mother of Child) published on 1 May 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Wonderful nursery, all of the staff are so friendly and kind- they take a real interest in the children and are constantly inventing new fun and educational activities for them, we are always impressed by the range of things they do!
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Review from Daniel S (Father of Child) published on 22 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son loves Highbury!
Highbury Lodge has been a big part of my son’s life since 8 months old.
All the staff and management have gone above and beyond to provide the best care and learning opportunities for our son.
A big thank you to our son’s current key person who we think is amazing and always
goes that extra mile to give him the best experience possible.
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Review from Kate A (Mother of Child) published on 11 December 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have three children in the nursery and so are able to see the goings on in multiple of the rooms, and we couldn’t be more pleased with Highbury Lodge. All of the staff know our children so well, seem to genuinely care for them and we love seeing and hearing about all of the lovely activities they
have been up to. All children are treated like individuals and with respect, and all three enjoy their nursery days. I wouldn’t want anyone else caring for our children.
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Review from Paige M (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
During our time with Highbury Lodge, staff have shown themselves be be caring, passionate and enthusiastic. They work hard to ensure the children are settled whilst putting their best interests at the forefront of their care. Staff go out of their way to support us as a family. I’ve been delighted at
the variation of recipes and ingredients provided at meal times that have encouraged my son to have a well-rounded diet.


The development and progression my son has made in his learning since joining Highbury has been outstanding, he has a large variation of activities whilst getting outside for fresh air in all weather. We’re over the moon with the service received.

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Review from R G (Mother of Child) published on 9 October 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All Highbury staff are amazing, they are welcoming and very supportive of my child’s needs. Especially dietary requirements.
I have had my eldest child attend each room throughout the nursery and I can honestly say the care given by the management and practitioners has been brilliant. He has just
started school and preschool has prepared him so well, that he has been very confident starting and settling into school life.
My youngest has just moved up to Bumblebees and loves nursery. It’s such a comfort knowing when I drop him off I don’t need to worry, as he is in excellent care.
Even when my children have become unwell, the level of care has been outstanding and they have looked after my children and given the appropriate medical care.
I would highly recommend this nursery and thank each and every one of them for working so hard and caring so well for all of the children.
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Review from Stephan E (Father of Child) published on 9 October 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Highbury Lodge Nursery has been part of our lives since November 2019 when we moved to the area. Our eldest daughter left in the summer of 2022 to go to school and now our youngest has just moved into the bumblebees room having been there since she was 1. It's such a wonderful nursery. I can't speak
more highly of the staff and there are a certain few whom it looks like I cannot name in person who have been truly exemplary. We have seen our children grow in confidence and mindset throughout their time at the nursery and it's certainly provided a strong foundation for them to grow. Thank you.
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Review from A R (Mother of Child) published on 31 May 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My two children are attending this nursery, one in Caterpillar room and the other in Bumblebee. They absolutely love it! The staff are amazing and always looking for new activities to help the children in their development. The food is nutritious and freshly made on site which was one of the biggest
items on our wish list. Our eldest son loves the big garden and all the activities it offers (sandpit, cycles, climbing etc.) We particularly love the weekly newsletter from the admin team and the tailored approach for each child. I can't fault this nursery.
The only small issues are the lack of space in the coat hanging spaces/areas and the rather small garden for younger children.
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Review from R F (Mother of Child) published on 2 May 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Highbury Lodge Day Nursery is outstanding in every way. The staff are so friendly, welcoming and keep our child safe and happy every day. Our child’s key worker is so supportive and always keeps us up to date with photos and information about how he is getting on and his overall development. The nursery
provides nutritional food and a great learning, supportive and nurturing environment. I felt so confident leaving my child here when going back to work. I could not recommend enough.
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Current Review Score: 9.7 (9.741)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.7 (9.741) out of 10 for Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 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 4.837 for Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) is calculated as follows: ( (153 Excellents x 5) + (21 Goods x 4) + (4 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 178 Ratings = 4.837
  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 4.904 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) 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 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 83 number of registered child places is 16.6. 15 Positive Reviews ÷ 16.6 = 0.904
  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 (21)

Meet the Team (1)

Kirsty

Kirsty Rose

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2023

Kirsty is the Manager of Highbury Lodge Day Nursery and has a wealth of experience, having worked in the early years sector for 13 years. Kirsty has a Level 3 qualification in Childcare and Education.


What is your favourite feature of your nursery?


A home-from-home environment with very natural, loose part resources allows children to use their imaginations and be curious.


What are you most proud of about your nursery/team?
The passion that strives the team to provide exceptional care, alongside stimulating activities with invitations to play for our children individually.

Frequently Asked Questions about Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin)

What is the Age Range of Children that Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) accepts?

Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) accepts Children aged from 0 years 2 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) Open?

Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) is open: Monday 07:30-18:30, Tuesday 07:30-18:30, Wednesday 07:30-18:30, Thursday 07:30-18:30, Friday 07:30-18:30.

How many Children does Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) have capacity for?

Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) has capacity for a total of 83 Children.

How far is Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) to the centre of Hitchin?

0.3 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Highbury Lodge Day Nursery (Hitchin) has an Enhanced Service - more info.