Nurseries are key places for children's development, with many parents searching for the right fit for their family.

Ofsted carries out regular inspections of service providers to ensure they are at the highest standard possible.

Here is a list of nurseries in and around Watford that have been graded 'outstanding' after their most recent inspections dating from 2009 to 2023.

Kingswood Nursery School

This provider had an ungraded inspection in April 2023, after its full 'outstanding' inspection in 2017, where it kept the top mark.

It has places for children aged two to five and they are “very well looked after by the staff” and have “strong” relationships with staff.

Address: Briar Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD25 0DX.

Watford Observer: Parents have a wide choice of 'outstanding' nurseries.Parents have a wide choice of 'outstanding' nurseries. (Image: Pexels)

Oxhey Nursery School

This nursery had an ungraded inspection in November 2021 where it was deemed as still 'outstanding', according to Ofsted.

It cares for children aged three to five and is a “warm and welcoming place”.

Children take part in “interesting and exciting things to do”, with staff ensuring that “all children get the support they need”.

Address: Eastbury Road, Oxhey, Watford, Hertfordshire WD19 4RL.

St Joseph Catholic Primary School

This school has a nursery class for children between the ages of three and four.

The staff in early years create “engaging activities that excite the children” to encourage language development.

Students are “really proud of their school” with the 'be kind' rule “understood”.

Address: Ainsdale Road, South Oxhey, Watford, Hertfordshire WD19 7DW.

Watford Observer: There are nine 'outstanding' nurseries in and around Watford. There are nine 'outstanding' nurseries in and around Watford. (Image: Pexels)

Holy Rood Catholic Primary School

Holy Rood Catholic Primary School, which has a nursery attached to it, was given the highest mark after inspectors visited in September.

In the report, pupils were judged to “achieve very well” and benefit from “the rich and varied extra-curricular offer”. 

Address: Greenbank Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD17 4FS.

Harvey Road Primary School

This school, which has a nursery attached, was graded 'outstanding' in 2011.

The nursery children join in classes with “skills and abilities that are broadly in line with those expected” and “exceed them in personal and social education as seen by the excellent way in which children relate to one another”.

Address: Harvey Road Croxley Green Rickmansworth WD3 3BN.

Watford Observer: Children begin school aged four after nursery. Children begin school aged four after nursery. (Image: Cottonbro Studio)

Malvern Way Infant and Nursery School

This school was judged in 2014 as 'outstanding' and has places for children aged three to seven.

Children aged three to four are in the school’s nursery, where “children develop early literacy and mathematical skills exceptionally quickly”.

Children in nursery and reception make “rapid progress” through “interesting and carefully chosen tasks”.

Address: Malvern Way, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, WD3 3QQ.

Cassiobury Infant and Nursery School

This school was graded as 'outstanding' in 2011 but is currently waiting on the most recent inspection results which happened earlier this year.

It has nursery places for children aged three to four, where children “make good or better progress in all areas of learning because of high-quality teaching and a highly imaginative and well-planned curriculum”.

Address: Bellmount Wood Avenue Watford WD17 3PE.

Watford Observer: Many schools have nurseries attached. Many schools have nurseries attached. (Image: Pexels)

Nascot Wood Infant and Nursery School              

This was rated as "outstanding" in 2011 and has spaced for up to 60 nursery pupils.

It was described as “well run” and “ensures that children make good progress across all areas of development”.

Address: Nascot Wood Road Watford WD17 4YT.

Merry Hill Infant School and Nursery

This was last graded 'outstanding' in 2009 and has space for children aged three to seven.

Children were described as “making rapid progress from the start in the Early Years Foundation Stage and achieving exceptionally well”.

The attention to children’s physical development is “excellent” and have a “strong awareness” about how to keep safe.

Address: School Lane Bushey Hertfordshire WD23 1ST.