Toad Hall Nursery Hitchin

Glover House, 23-25 Bury Mead Road, Hitchin SG5 1RT
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8.9 135 Reviews
  • Toad Hall Nursery Hitchin, Hitchin
Toad Hall Nursery is a 107-place nursery in the heart of Hitchin, offering a child-led approach to encourage the development of the children in their care. Children are given the opportunity to explore, interact, engage and thrive within the care of the highly experienced staff team.

Partnership with parents is at the heart of everything they do, from planning social events, holding quarterly Parent Forums to discuss and share ideas, and providing all children with ‘Home Learning’ ideas and opportunities to share with their carers at home.

The nursery is made up of 7 rooms, each catering for a different age group which enables them to provide facilities and resources for the right age and stage of each child. Weekly activities are planned for the children around their interests, utilising their state-of-the-art facilities both inside and outside, in their large gardens which also boast a growing patch and mud kitchen.

There are three garden areas which again cater for different ages of children, which enable more children to access the outside provisions at one time and gives opportunity for children to assess their own risks, develop their physical abilities and engage in the nursery’s extra initiatives, such as their Cook and Grow Programme. The children plant and care for their own produce in the Nature Garden, which they then help to prepare before the qualified chef cooks in their on-site kitchen. All meals and snacks are prepared and cooked on site, and the nursery prides itself on sourcing only the best quality ingredients for the children to enjoy.

Toad Hall is passionate about providing the best possible opportunities and childcare for children aged 3 months to 5 years.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Collette Jordan (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 39

Total Places for Children

  • 107

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • £89.50 - Per day under 3 years,
    £83.50 - Per day over 3 years.

  • •   10% Family discount on the eldest child’s fees.
    •   5% discount for NHS, Armed Forces, Police and emergency services staff.
    •   50% discount on Staff fees.
    •   Up to 30 hours of funded nursery education per week during term time.
    •   A corporate discount maybe available if there is an agreement in place between Toad Hall Nursery and another company.
    Please email the nursery directly for our latest fee information.

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Parking

  • The Nursery boasts a large car park at front of the building, making parking extremely easy for busy parents who need to drop off or collect their children from nursery.

Toad Hall Nursery Hitchin Reviews (135)

8.9

Toad Hall Nursery Hitchin has a Review Score of 8.9 (8.946) out of 10, based on 8 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Toad Hall Nursery Hitchin has 135 reviews.

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Review from Darren S (Father of Child) published on 18 August 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been going to Toad Hall for 8 months (currently in the Butterflies room) and we have only good things to say about our experiences. He always looks happy to go into the nursery and comes out smiling and laughing. The range of activities he gets up to every day is exceptional and we see a
clear progression in his development as a result of his time at nursery. Staff are friendly and always happy to answer any questions. Highly recommended.
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Review from Ben Cl (Father of Child) published on 18 August 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son hasn't been in Butterflies for very long but he has settled in well. The staff seem really kind and caring. He does loads of interesting and varied activities each day. He also seems happy to go in each day.
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Review from S B (Mother of Child) published on 17 August 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I have used Toad Hall Nursery Hitchin for a number of years for my 2 children. The level of care has been second to none. The staff are very friendly and have always helped if I had any questions. Thank you to all of the staff.
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Review from Jenny W (Mother of Child) published on 17 August 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We couldn't be more pleased with Toad Hall, we know our son will be happy and safe and constantly trying new things.
He has never had a bad day at Toad Hall and always comes home smiling. Everything they do is absolutely brilliant and all of the staff really care.
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Review from Eleanor S (Mother of Child) published on 17 August 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Toad Hall has been a wonderful setting for both of my children and I are genuinely sad to leave now my children are moving to school. Toad Hall has done wonders for my childrens development and have been great at meeting the needs of my youngest that has Special educational needs and disabilities. Despite
the many challenges this last 18 months has thrown at us all Toad Hall has risen to it all and I am grateful for this. We have great relationships with the staff and they have a great fondness for my children. My children have been happy at the setting and we still have contacts with other children and parents from Toad Hall.
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Review from Lorna C (Mother of Child) published on 11 August 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have no concerns leaving my child at Toad Hall on a daily basis. Butterfly room staff are amazing. They are very informative, caring, considerate and extremely professional. I highly recommend Toad Hall.
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Review from Suzi C (Mother of Child) published on 9 August 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has always been extremely happy at Toad Hall and has been so well looked after. She has developed such confidence whilst attending. All of the staff have such energy and are so caring towards all the children and I always felt that they knew our daughter so well. She formed a fabulous bond
with her key worker and always looked forward to going in to nursery. She's developed fantastic maths and phonics skills, amongst everything else. We will all miss coming here now she's off to school. Would highly recommend to anyone.
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Review from Becky P (Mother of Child) published on 9 August 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has grown so much under the care of the staff. He is more aware of himself and has developed better manners and listening skills. We are so grateful for all the laughter and new opportunities he has had. Thank you.
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Review from K H (Mother of Child) published on 9 August 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing nursery, very dedicated staff in the butterflies room. They have carried out some lovely educational activities with my daughter and she really enjoys her time there and has built good bonds with the team in her room.
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Review from Lisa C (Mother of Child) published on 9 August 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The team have taken excellent care of my daughter. They are friendly, kind and really care. Some days she doesn’t even want to come home with me. I know the team have worked so hard to prepare her for reception in September. Thank you so much.
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Review from Jo P (Aunt of Child) published on 9 August 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both of my nieces attend Toad Hall and I have seen such a big leap in their learning and development. Their confidence has undeniably improved and I feel the nursery have supported them throughout the pandemic. They show me their home learning bags and talk about their caregivers. I know they are so
well cared for in Hedgehogs and Ladybirds and I have recommended the setting to so many!
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Review from Alex R (Father of Child) published on 6 August 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my girls attend the nursery and they love it! They always bring home such lovely gifts for me that they have made during the day and such nice stories of their day. The staff are all wonderful and can’t do enough for you! Thank you everyone at Toad Hall for looking after my princesses so well!
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Review from S C (Mother of Child) published on 25 March 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My boy started in September 2018; he was very well looked after and given the right amount of attention and care. We left in September 2020 to go to pre-school locally, but was so happy at Toad Hall; he made so many friends, he still has, and the feedback was always useful and detailed, making us feel
comfortable. My daughter started in September 2020 and is currently in dragonflies. She is loving it and grown so much ahead, developing and making special relationships. The teachers are always so happy and helpful and listen to us as parents.
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Review from N L (Mother of Child) published on 23 March 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter feels happy and confident at the nursery. She enjoys a lot of different activities, and we are very impressed by the creativeness of all the staff and their attention to her personal traits and development.
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Review from Samantha S (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been at Toad Hall for just over a year. He’s really happy here and loves the staff. He walks in happily in the morning and chats about his day when he gets home. We love hearing about what he has been doing and are really impressed with how the team take into account our son’s interests.
Any concerns have always been dealt with swiftly and professionally, and the team are always on hand to answer questions. Highly recommend!
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Review from Claudia (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
If you care about your child memorable moments don’t pick this nursery.
It’s a good nursery but when it comes to year photographs or events such as birthdays and Christmas concerts you will miss them all even if you really try hard not to.
Mainly it’s all down to really bad communication with parents
and lack of common sense.
(Pre-school classes).
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Review from Linda M (Grandmother of Child) published on 19 February 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am a retired teacher, and I collect my granddaughter from nursery three times a week; in the car, on the way home, we always talk about her day. She talks fluently and with a wide range of vocabulary about what she has done that day, and she expands her descriptions with comments about what she likes,
what she has observed and how she feels. From our conversations, it is clear to me that all aspects of her development are being addressed by the nursery. She is being encouraged to speak confidently and clearly and is experimenting with new words and expressions; she is exploring thoughtfully many aspects of the world around her; she is engaging in many different forms of play and her imagination is being stimulated; positive, social interactions and behaviours are being encouraged. I am delighted to observe how much she enjoys her nursery days and how well she speaks of the staff who care for and nurture her. I can and do recommend this nursery with the utmost enthusiasm.
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Review from Chelsey L (Mother of Child) published on 15 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Such a lovely nursery, with kind and caring staff. My little boy went here from around 10.5 months and he loves going and doing all of the activities (messy play, painting, water play etc). The staff spend time on handovers and answer all the queries you have. They were really supportive when my little
one wasn't well and made sure he got cuddles and reassurance. Today all the parents received a little parent appreciation bag with some goodies in, which is a lovely touch and goes far. The staff in Hedgehogs are amazing and my son loves them greatly.
The food they get is amazing and even makes me jealous. They get nutritional meals every day. Both of the Managers are great!
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Review from Danielle N (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All the staff at Toad Hall, Hitchin have been fantastic and always welcoming.
Meals are healthy and a great variety. My daughter always seems to eat extremely well when there.
Activities are fun and lots of variety of toys.
My daughter is currently on her third room as she has been moved up as she
progresses and each room has been amazing. Clean, light and airy, lots of fun and educational toys. The garden space is lovely and they always seem to get some fresh air and the chance to play outside when the weather permits, which I think is great.
The staff are fantastic - caring, friendly, always look professional and my daughter is always happy to be going there for the day - which is the best feeling when dropping her off.
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Review from T F (Mother of Child) published on 25 November 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My boy loves the Nursery, he runs to meet his friends and teachers every morning and doesn't want to leave in the evening. There is a very friendly family-like atmosphere in Toad Hall.
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Current Review Score: 8.9 (8.946)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.9 (8.946) out of 10 for Toad Hall 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 8 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.2 out of 5 from 8 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 4.772 for Toad Hall Nursery Hitchin is calculated as follows: ( (74 Excellents x 5) + (15 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 92 Ratings = 4.772
  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 4.174 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Toad Hall Nursery Hitchin is based on 8 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 = 3.8
    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 107 number of registered child places is 21.4. 8 Positive Reviews ÷ 21.4 = 0.374
  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 (10)

Meet the Team (1)

Collette

Collette Jordan

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2023

Hi, I’m Collette, the Nursery Manager at Toad Hall Hitchin.


I am fortunate to have successfully worked within this industry for over 23 years and hold a Level 5 Diploma in Early Years Leadership and Management. Throughout my Early years career, I have worked in many different roles including running a successful nursery for nearly 5 years.


My vision is to provide high-quality care in a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment, allowing the children to feel secure and confident. I believe this supports their growing curiosity to explore, and supports creative minds and resilience, whilst maximising success for all children.


I have always been highly focused on the well-being and development of children and believe that family partnership is the key.


My priority is to continue to lead this fantastic team and understand that a happy, successful child depends on us all working together.


Please do get in touch and arrange a visit to our lovely nursery if you have any questions.

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