The University Day Nursery

Campus connections and practical independence shaped the October 2022 inspection picture of The University Day Nursery. Based at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield, it has capacity for 62 children aged 3 to 60 months. At its October 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective.

That dated picture has useful substance: children practised everyday tasks, shared books with adults and explored woodland. It also carries two improvement priorities: babies’ outdoor experiences and consistent supervision support for staff.

In October 2022, children’s interests shaped activities, including a rhythm-stick session in which they followed instructions and made sure others could participate. The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children’s learning, development and care; here, the inspection-era examples included songs, stories and practical independence.

Books connected play with language. In October 2022, children matched toy farm animals to pictures, used signing alongside singing and shared stories with staff after waking. These were concrete ways to bring words into familiar activities rather than reserve reading for a separate part of the day.

Outdoor learning offered another route. In October 2022, older children took part in forest school sessions, exploring seasonal changes and discovering mushrooms in woodland while learning to stay near an adult. Babies and younger children had fewer outdoor opportunities, making the improvement priority relevant to families choosing care for the youngest ages.

Everyday independence started small. In October 2022, babies practised using spoons, while older children poured drinks, cleared their plates and worked on putting coats on; preschool children also changed clothes for sport. These tasks gave children opportunities to practise doing things for themselves.

At the October 2022 inspection, Ofsted found strong support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including collaboration with families and external agencies, links with receiving settings and medical training for staff supporting complex needs.

Communication extended learning beyond nursery. In October 2022, parents received regular updates and attended parents’ evenings, with activity bags and library books supporting learning at home. Staff training opportunities were also part of the picture, although regular supervision support needed further development.

The address is University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, AL10 9AB. Opening hours are 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 5.30pm on Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and one week at Christmas.

At the October 2022 inspection, session times were 8am to 6pm, with flexible hours within that window supporting families’ working arrangements. The nursery then provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. Its partnership with the on-site university was established at that time, and it primarily served people working or studying on campus from purpose-built premises.

• Babies outdoors. In October 2022, outdoor opportunities were weaker for the youngest children. Ask how the baby outdoor space now supports play through different seasons.
• Staff support. Regular supervision needed further development in October 2022. Ask how practitioners now receive consistent support and discuss their practice.
• Funded attendance. Funded early education formed part of the October 2022 offer. How would funded hours and any additional charges work for your child’s attendance pattern?

The strongest fit is for families seeking a campus setting with an emphasis on practical independence and learning woven into everyday activities. The October 2022 picture combines woodland exploration, books and close collaboration around additional needs, balanced by clear priorities for babies’ outdoor provision and staff supervision. The earlier Friday closing time is a practical consideration for working families.