Shepherds Hill Nursery

Runner beans, a bee house and measuring corn gave Shepherds Hill Nursery a practical connection with nature in July 2022. Learning took shape through things children could grow, observe and compare. This Harefield setting’s strongest character comes from those small, concrete experiences.

Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding at its 28 July 2022 inspection. Its current age range extends from birth to five, while the children attending that visit were aged two to four. Those are different pictures of the provision, especially for families considering baby care.

In July 2022, children could choose between indoor play and the outdoor space. The kitchen garden brought sunflowers and runner beans into their day; a bee house offered another reason to watch living things closely. Bird-identification posters helped children put names to what they saw.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children’s learning, development and care. Here, the July 2022 examples show how play could connect those strands: children measured corn with rulers, then switched to tape measures as it grew. The equipment changed because the task demanded it. Testing how many objects a matchbox could hold gave counting another practical purpose.

During that same month, bucket time brought small groups together to practise listening, waiting and following instructions. Key persons planned learning around the children. These examples give a clearer picture of the nursery day than a curriculum label alone.

At its July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and praised the close work with parents and education and health professionals to support children with SEND. That dated judgement matters alongside the overall grade: it addresses how support worked for individual children.

In July 2022, staff acknowledged children’s feelings calmly and stayed beside them when they were upset. Children sharing a toy used a timer to agree turns, giving them a practical way to resolve a disagreement. Parent communication included daily photographs, news and videos of stories and singing, helping families stay connected with the nursery day.

Home-cooked, balanced meals were part of the July 2022 experience, alongside learning about healthy eating.

The address is Shepherds Hill House, Northwood Road, Harefield, Uxbridge, UB9 6PT. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

In July 2022, the nursery received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Age range. The current range runs from birth to five, but the July 2022 observations concern children aged two to four. Families choosing baby care should distinguish that age group from the experiences described here.
• Attendance and costs. For your child’s age and intended attendance pattern, what would a written quotation cover, including funded hours, meals and non-food consumables?
• Inspection timing. The Outstanding judgement dates from July 2022. It provides a strong historical assessment rather than a description of every aspect of today’s nursery day.

Shepherds Hill Nursery merits consideration by families seeking year-round weekday care and interested in learning through nature and practical play. The July 2022 examples are memorable: growing plants, measuring corn and learning to negotiate turns. Its strongest documented appeal is the connection between everyday experiences, learning and emotional support.