Ladybirds Nursery

Birch Centre Hill End Lane, St Albans AL4 0RA
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9.8 106 Reviews
  • Ladybirds Nursery, St Albans
Ladybirds Nursery welcomes babies and children from 3 months to 5 years of age to tranquil surroundings in a parkland setting. It opened in 2003 and is owned and managed by two experienced early years teachers who lead a loyal staff team.

Parents can be confident their child enjoys a broad and balanced curriculum, with both indoor and outdoor play contributing to early development. Staff aim to promote an eagerness to learn, while supporting independent thinking and self confidence.

The aim is to lay the foundations for full-time education by cherishing the importance of the early years.

Please contact the team for their Babybird brochure.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Michelle Gee (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 20

Total Places for Children

  • 61

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Please contact us for a copy of our current fees or for any information on funding.
    We offer a discount % for full time places.

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays

Ladybirds Nursery Reviews (106)

9.8

Ladybirds Nursery has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.814) out of 10, based on 11 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Ladybirds Nursery has 106 reviews.

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Total of 106, showing 81-100
Review from Anna O (Mother of Child) published on 7 July 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have three children (9, 4 and 1). My two youngest are currently at ladybirds and my eldest was also there from 2009 to 2012. All my children have thrived there and continue to do so. I wouldn't want any other type of childcare for them as Ladybirds offers them the best any child (or parent!) would
want. My son starts jumping in excitement in his car seat when I park the car in the car park and is very happy going in. My daughter who is now in pre-school and has been at Ladybirds Nursery since she was 8 months has been saying how much she is going to miss nursery the nursery nurse when she goes to "big" school. I couldn't recommend this nursery enough. The love, affection, discipline, variety and overall fun Ladybirds Nursery offers is OUTSTANDING!!
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Review from Joanna S (Mother of Child) published on 9 September 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A wonderfully caring and stimulating nursery that I cannot recommend highly enough. We have been fortunate enough to send two of our three boys to Ladybirds over the last five years and have watched them thrive as Starlings, Kingfishers and pre-schoolers. What strikes me particularly as our youngest
starts school is how much he already enjoys learning, how confident he is with numbers and phonics and how well he has been prepared for Reception by the teaching staff in the pre-school. As a parent, I have also really appreciated how little the staff has changed over the last five years, which is not only wonderful from the children's perspective but says much about the working environment there. Ladybirds rightly deserves its outstanding OFSTED rating.
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Review from Rondi A (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
As this is the end of our time at Ladybirds, I really want to thank you really sincerely for all the support we have had and the enjoyment our daughter has had at Nursery . We made a wonderful decision to come to Ladybirds and have been so pleased. She has absolutely thrived thanks to you all and the
environment which allows her to do that. We are ready for the next stage but sad this week as well, that this phase is ending.
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Review from Michelle H (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot recommend Ladybirds nursery highly enough. Both of our children attended the nursery, from the baby room through to the preschool, and every room has been outstanding in its care, nurturing, support, fun, activities and learning. Their attention to every individual child is incredible, both
in their knowledge of each child's personality and achievements, and in the time and interest that they have for them all. What often amazes me is how the nursery manages to do all this and yet still have the time to lay excellent foundations for readying the children (and parents!) for school. So many of the staff have been at the nursery throughout the whole of our time there, which really adds to the sense of community and warmth - we're very sad to have to say goodbye after all of these years!
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Review from Karen S (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A wonderful nursery where the teaching and care is second to none. Staff are nurturing and encouraging and dedicated to building confidence and independence into the children. The pre-school is excellent and my child has thrived under their guidance. He can recognise and write his name, count confidently,
draw, paint and colour neatly.
I would not hesitate in recommending Ladybirds nursery (and have done so several times!)
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Review from Julian K (Father of Child) published on 27 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both of our children have attended Ladybirds since they were 9 months old. Our eldest has just finished pre-school nearly 4 years later. In the four different age rooms the children are always provided with stimulating, developing, fun and often messy activities. One of the greatest benefits is that
Ladybirds take advantage of being located in Highfield Park and so the children spend a lot of time outdoors rather than cooped up inside. Fantastic staff. Extremely happy parents.
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Review from Jodie C (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have been very pleased with every aspect of Ladybirds. Our son has been happy there, he has been safe, and has received a good education. I would recommend the nursery to anyone living in the area.
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Review from S H (Mother of Child) published on 20 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Our son has settled very well at ladybirds and he is very happy there. The staff are so friendly and welcoming. The setting is also excellent and it's great that the children go outside nearly every day. Big negatives for us are the lack of food, shorter hours and poor/old facilities. Also the cost
is high given the negatives I have noted.
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Review from Laura G (Mother of Child) published on 15 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has always been extremely happy here. She was here from the age of 1 and a half to end of pre-school. The staff are very caring and develop real bonds with the children. I was always kept very well informed about what my child had been up to that day and I was also given recommendations
of things I could do at home to support her development. I would have no hesitation in recommending this nursery to anyone.
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Review from Alan C (Father of Child) published on 15 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have always found Ladybirds to be an excellent environment for our son, who has attended the nursery since he was 9 months old. He has attended the pre-school since last September and has had an excellent grounding in literacy and numeracy which will serve him well when he starts school in September.
The Nursery has a warm and welcoming feel and the staff seem genuinely engaged.
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Review from Abby B (Mother of Child) published on 15 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Preschool is fantastic - sets your child up for first year of school. Children get used to carpet time, can read their name and know their phonics, which puts them a step ahead when starting school.
A wonderful start to learning is given by Ladybirds.
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Review from Jayne G (Mother of Child) published on 15 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my children have attended Ladybirds from 1 year through to the end of their pre school year. Over this time, I've witnessed them growing with confidence and knowledge. The care received has been nurturing and kind and the children have been encouraged to become independent in their actions and
thoughts. The pre school year has been excellent. My children could not be in a better place to start their school careers.
Thank you Ladybirds!
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Review from Shelly D (Mother of Child) published on 11 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing staff, very caring and take on board any request I have. Paying attention to details and informing me on everything that happened during the day.
Very clean and there's lots of fun activities.
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Review from Nikki H (Mother of Child) published on 11 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has attended Ladybirds nursery since he was 6 months old and there has never been a day where I have worried about him being there. He thoroughly enjoys everyday, the staff are super friendly and know all the children's names and parents and both my son and I have made some wonderful friends
for life. I will be sad when he leaves to go to school and hope that the school we have chosen will be able to follow the excellent foundation that Ladybirds has provided.


The nursery is always clean and tidied at the end of the day, the activities and learning they provide and fun and structure, giving them a head start when transitioning to school.


I thoroughly recommend this nursery.


Thank you Ladybirds for making the transition back to work an easier one and for caring and looking after our son.


The only downside is I wish they provided lunch and dinner - more nutritious having freshly cooked meals rather than having something in a lunch box.

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Review from Huda Z (Mother of Child) published on 8 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Ladybirds is a wonderful nursery with a very warm and cosy atmosphere.
I couldn't be more thankful to the staff who helped my child grow in so many ways.
I am more than happy to recommend this nursery to friends and family.
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Review from Marie C (Mother of Child) published on 22 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A wonderful nursery. Such personalised care and attention to learning. My son has been so happy and has made such good progress. He is now very well prepared for school. All staff are lovely and have really made my child feel special.
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Review from Joya B (Mother of Child) published on 22 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is a fantastic nursery. Both of my sons have enjoyed their time here and have been encouraged, nurtured and cared for in an exemplary fashion. Staff make every effort to keep parents informed and involved. The location is wonderful and safe with a large park outside and children are taken for
walks everyday.
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Review from Justine D (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband and I are delighted with Ladybirds Nursery and we highly recommend it. Our son has been at Ladybirds for a year, based in the Doves (the baby room). He settled in extremely well and thoroughly enjoys every day he spends there. His key worker is excellent, she takes such good care of our son,
he is turning into a charming, polite, well behaved boy (who sleeps and eats!) and we attribute so much of that to his key worker and the Ladybirds environment. We find all staff at the nursery a real pleasure to deal with, they are all very good with our son and it is clear he is very fond of all of them. Our son is learning rapidly and this is a result of the disciplines in place and nurturing staff at the nursery. We are especially keen on the fact that there is a focus on outdoor activities. The location of the nursery, in the middle of a lovely park, is a big advantage over other nurseries in the area.
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Review from Lakshmi M (Mother of Child) published on 9 February 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son went to Ladybird nursery for a year and half and he thoroughly enjoyed his time there. Amazing nursery with lovely staff!! Staff are extremely friendly and supportive to both children and parents. You are guaranteed peace of mind knowing that you child Is safe and having a great time at the nursery.
My son learnt a lot during his stay there through learning and playing. There were lot art and craft activities, both indoor and outdoor things to do for children.


Staff were very supportive and patient when toilet training my three year old. My son made some amazing friendship during his stay there. Staff had made a great impression and he still keeps talking about them!! Will recommend this nursery at anytime!!

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Review from Tammy G (Mother of Child) published on 17 September 2015 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been at Ladybirds for the last 4 years. The staff are amazing and incredibly committed to the development of the children in their care. During the final year (pre school) my son has exceeded all my expectations in his development. This is largely down to the high standard of the teaching
he has received.
The nursery is set in beautiful grounds and the children benefit from this daily by being taken out twice a day to different places in the park such as the maze, the duck pond and the balls area. This has given my son a keen interest in nature and the world around him.
Leaving your child with someone else is always the hardest thing to do. All of the staff at Ladybirds make it feel reassuringly easier. They are an exceptional team of very skilled staff.
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.814)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.814) out of 10 for Ladybirds Nursery is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 11 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.9 out of 5 from 11 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 4.912 for Ladybirds Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (117 Excellents x 5) + (5 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 125 Ratings = 4.912
  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 4.902 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Ladybirds Nursery is based on 11 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 61 number of registered child places is 12.2. 11 Positive Reviews ÷ 12.2 = 0.902
  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 (13)

Meet the Team (2)

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Michelle Gee

Job Title: Manager Joined: 2008

I have worked at Ladybirds Nursery since I gained my qualification Diploma in Childcare and Education in 2008. I have been fortunate to grow both personally and professionally from then, as whilst working at the nursery I gained my Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management. Starting as a nursery practitioner, I have taken on roles such as care supervisor, mentor, room leader and finally Manager. During this time I have worked across all the different ages from 3 months to rising 5's. This has given me a broad knowledge of children's ages and stages of development and I have a passion for helping children meet their true potential in a caring and nurturing educational setting. Seeing them grow throughout their time with us is amazing and the relationships built with them and their families is very special indeed.


Outside of nursery life I enjoy taking time to connect with family and friends, being outside and curling up with a good book.

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Abbie Speed

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2020

HI! My name is Abbie, and I am the Deputy Manager at Ladybirds Day Nursery.


Ever since Primary school, thanks to my mum working from home as a Childminder, I knew that I wanted to work with and understand the learning and development of children. This sparked my desire to study Psychology and Child Development at university. After achieving a First class degree, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel and au-pair in Australia and complete an internship teaching English to primary school children in Barcelona before joining the fantastic team at Ladybirds Nursery. I first joined Ladybirds as nursery practitioner before becoming the room leader of Doves (our Baby room) and was later appointed as the Deputy Manager.


One of the many reasons why I love working with children, is being able to be part of and aid their development and growth. Working in the baby room, I am privileged to watch the children's growth and development throughout their nursery journey; watch as they achieve milestones such as walking and learning to talk and their individual personalities and imaginations grow. I also enjoy building strong rapports with the children's respective guardians and carers and learning about their family's cultures, traditions, and celebrations and learning phrases and words of the languages that they may speak.

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