Best nurseries in Harpenden
17 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools in St Albans, best Ofsted result first: the latest report card or overall grade, then the most recent inspection. Childminders are not listed (Ofsted does not publish their addresses).
| # | Nursery | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highfield Pre-School Sessional day care · 40 places · AL5 4BX | Outstanding (2025) |
| 2 | Batford Day Care Full day care · 63 places · AL5 5BQ | Outstanding (2025) |
| 3 | Friends Together Full day care · 48 places · AL5 1PF | Outstanding (2024) |
| 4 | Bright Horizons Harpenden Central Day Nursery and Preschool Full day care · 52 places · AL5 4EL | Outstanding (2022) |
| 5 | Noah's Ark Nursery at the Lea Sessional day care · 37 places · AL5 4LE | Outstanding (2022) |
| 6 | Fingertips Woodland Nursery Full day care · 30 places · AL5 4QL | Outstanding (2022) |
| 7 | United Reformed Church Pre-School and Nursery Sessional day care · 45 places · AL5 4ED | Outstanding (2022) |
| 8 | Artisans Kindergarten Sessional day care · 50 places · AL5 5SF | Report card: 5 strong (Nov 2025) |
| 9 | Bright Horizons Harpenden Luton Road Day Nursery and Preschool Full day care · 98 places · AL5 2UE | Good (2024) |
| 10 | Busy Bees Day Nursery at Harpenden Leyton Road Full day care · 55 places · AL5 2HZ | Good (2023) |
| 11 | Busy Bees Day Nursery at Rothamsted Lodge Full day care · 70 places · AL5 2JS | Good (2023) |
| 12 | Noah's Ark Pre-School Sessional day care · 33 places · AL5 5EP | Good (2022) |
| 13 | Whanau Day Nursery Harpenden Full day care · 55 places · AL5 2HU | Good (2022) |
| 14 | Activate Camps@St George's School Full day care · AL5 4TD | Not yet inspected |
| 15 | Cosmos Nursery and Kindergarten Full day care · 20 places · AL5 4UN | Not yet inspected |
| 16 | Fusion Pre School Southdown Sessional day care · 30 places · AL5 1QD | Not yet inspected |
| 17 | Harpenden Day Nursery and Pre School Full day care · 36 places · AL5 4HA | Not yet inspected |
How much does nursery cost in Harpenden?
Typical weekly nursery prices for a child under two in East of England, from the Coram Childcare Survey 2026. A guide only: ask each nursery for its own fees.
Working parents in England can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from when their child is 9 months old, so a 25-hour place can cost little or nothing in term time. Every 3 and 4 year old gets at least 15 funded hours. Funded hours cover 38 weeks a year; nurseries can charge for extra hours, meals and activities. Check what you can get at Childcare Choices.
Questions
What are the best nurseries in Harpenden?
Of 17 nurseries and pre-schools in Harpenden, 8 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: Highfield Pre-School, Batford Day Care, Friends Together.
How much does nursery cost in Harpenden?
In East of England, a part-time place (25 hours a week) for a child under two typically costs £192 a week without funded hours (Coram Childcare Survey 2026). Working parents can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from 9 months.
How many nurseries are there in Harpenden?
17 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 13 of them inspected so far.
Nurseries nearby
Neighbourhoods
Harpenden Common · Harpenden East · Harpenden North · Harpenden Town
Source: Ofsted early years inspections. Ofsted's report card (from November 2025) grades curriculum, achievement, behaviour, children's welfare and leadership as exceptional, strong, expected, needs attention or urgent improvement; earlier inspections gave one overall grade.