Our Markyate nursery
Tucked away on Cavendish Road, just moments from the High Street, this is childcare that feels like an extension of home. Come and see how settled your child could be.
Inside, the rooms are organised so babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers each have their own space to explore at their own pace. Cosy corners for quiet moments sit alongside areas designed for messy play, mark-making and building. It feels calm, purposeful and very much like somewhere children want to be.
The outdoor space gives children room to climb, dig and discover throughout the day, whatever the weather. Markyate sits on the edge of the Chilterns, and that sense of green space and fresh air filters into everything. Muddy boots and rosy cheeks are encouraged.
Find us
Address
Cavendish Road, AL3 8PS
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pm
Age range
3 months to 5 years
What makes us, us
Every nursery talks about care. Here is what it actually looks like when your child is with us for a full day.
Staff work alongside room leads to create activities that follow each child's individual interests. From mark-making and sensory play to construction and small world, children move between experiences that build on what genuinely captures their curiosity.
Each age group has access to a secure garden with equipment designed for their stage of physical development. The mud kitchen invites messy cooking experiments, and local green spaces are a favourite destination for the older children.
Rising Stars uses a parents app for regular updates, alongside email, Facebook, and notice boards. They welcome contributions to their environment and practice, building a strong partnership so everyone works together to meet each child's needs.
Our 10-day calm start gives every child a structured, gentle transition into nursery life.
What makes us differentSee it for yourself
Walk through the rooms, meet Jenny and the team, and get a feel for how things run day to day. No pressure, just an honest look at whether we are right for your family.
Day in the life
From Little Stars to Rockets
Babies in Little Stars follow their home routine. Toddlers in Mini Moons and Comets explore at their own pace. And Rockets prepares older children for school, without rushing them there.
Ages 3 months to 2 years · 1:3 ratio
A typical day
Our baby room is a calm, home-from-home environment where each child has a dedicated key person from day one. Low lighting, sensory play, and a flexible routine built around each baby's natural rhythms.
Outdoor access
By arrangement with other rooms
Ages 2 to 3 years · 1:4 ratio
A typical day
The toddler room is a busy, curious place. Children explore through messy play, construction, books, and daily outdoor sessions. Language, independence, and friendships develop fast at this age.
Outdoor access
By arrangement with other rooms
Ages 3 to 5 years · 1:8 ratio
A typical day
Our pre-school room prepares children for the transition to Reception with a balance of structured learning and child-led discovery. We offer 15 and 30-hour funded places for eligible families.
Outdoor access
By arrangement with other rooms
3
days per week
30 hrs funded
£1,040.00per month
~£82 per day
4
days per week
30 hrs funded
£1,360.00per month
~£80 per day
5
days per week
30 hrs funded
£1,675.00per month
~£79 per day
3
days per week
30 hrs funded
£1,040.00per month
~£82 per day
4
days per week
30 hrs funded
£1,360.00per month
~£80 per day
5
days per week
30 hrs funded
£1,675.00per month
~£79 per day
All prices are per child. Monthly fees are spread across 12 months.
Explore our fees, funding support and simple enrolment process
Where Grovehill children feel right at home
12 Henry Wells Square, HP2 8BJ
Where little ones find their place in Redbourn
Spectrum House, AL3 7PR
Things parents ask us
We begin with shorter visits where you stay with your child, gradually building to longer sessions where they spend time with their key person independently. Every child moves at their own pace, and we won't rush the process. Your child's key person will be in close contact throughout, sharing how they're eating, sleeping, and connecting with the other children.
Pack a small bag with a few nappies if needed, a full change of clothes, any comforter your child relies on, and outdoor shoes or wellies. Label everything clearly with their name. We provide all meals, sun cream, and nappies for older babies and toddlers, so you really don't need to overpack.
Children arrive from 7:30am and settle into free play before a morning gathering with their key group. The day flows between child-led exploration, small group activities, outdoor time in our gardens, meals together, and rest periods tailored to each child's needs. We close at 6pm, giving working parents genuine flexibility.
We prepare fresh, balanced meals and snacks on site each day, with menus designed to introduce children to a wide variety of tastes and textures. All dietary requirements, allergies, and cultural preferences are accommodated without fuss. You'll never need to send food in unless your child has very specific medical needs we've discussed together.
Your child's key person shares updates, photographs, and observations through our parent app, so you can see what they've been exploring while you're at work. You'll also have daily handovers at pickup, plus regular one to one conversations about your child's development. We want you to feel completely connected to their day, not just informed.
We follow children's genuine curiosities rather than imposing a rigid curriculum, which means a child fascinated by minibeasts might spend weeks investigating them deeply rather than moving on because a lesson plan says so. Our practitioners are trained to notice what sparks each child's interest and build rich experiences around it. This creates confident, motivated learners who see themselves as capable explorers.
Our settings have strong inspection histories and we're proud of the feedback Ofsted has given us on the quality of care and learning children receive. We'd encourage you to read the full reports for the specific setting you're considering, as they capture the detail of what makes each one special. We're always happy to talk through the findings when you visit.
Yes, we accept all government funding entitlements across our three settings, including the 15 and 30 hour offers for eligible two, three, and four year olds. Our team will walk you through exactly what you qualify for and help with the paperwork. Many families combine funded hours with additional sessions to create a pattern that fits their working week.
