Business Details
10 Years
experience
Trusted Day Nursery in Huddersfield for Early Years Education
Almond House Day Nursery, established in 2016, is a purpose-built facility in Almondbury, Huddersfield, offering high-quality childcare for children aged 0 - 5. Founded by Karen Hazelden, a qualified nurse and midwife with over 20 years of experience running an Ofsted-rated Outstanding nursery, we prioritise strong relationships between staff, children, and families. Our dedicated team maintains high staff-to-child ratios, ensuring individualised care and fostering developmental growth through structured play, outdoor exploration, and creative activities.The nursery features age-specific rooms, extensive outdoor spaces, and a 'learning through play' philosophy, complemented by nutritious, home-cooked meals prepared by our in-house chefs. We invest in continuous staff training and collaborate closely with families to provide a secure, stimulating environment where children thrive.
Services
Day Nursery
Child Care
Outdoor Learning
Cooking Classes
Forest School
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of expertise in early years education from our founder and team.
- Our high staff-to-child ratios ensure personalised care and attention.
- Outdoor forest school sessions promote nature-based learning and physical development.
- Home-cooked meals use locally sourced ingredients, supporting healthy eating habits.
- Monthly cooking classes engage children in hands-on culinary experiences.
What people say
Amazing staff
Significant developmental progress
Excellent food
Fun and caring environment
Helped settle shy children
Services
Day Nursery
Our day nursery provides full-time and part-time care for children aged 05. We focus on holistic development through play, structured activities, and outdoor exploration. Each child benefits from high staff-to-child ratios, ensuring individualised attention and a secure, nurturing environment tailored to their needs.
Outdoor Learning
Outdoor learning sessions encourage physical development and creativity through unstructured play in natural settings. Children engage in forest school activities, nature walks, and sensory experiences, building confidence and resilience while exploring the environment around them.
Cooking Classes
Monthly cooking classes introduce children to healthy eating through hands-on food preparation. Led by our chefs, these sessions teach about ingredients, nutrition, and cooking techniques, fostering a lifelong appreciation for diverse, wholesome meals.
Forest School
Forest school activities integrate learning with nature, offering children opportunities to explore woodlands, build shelters, and identify plants and insects. This approach enhances problem-solving skills, teamwork, and environmental awareness in a dynamic outdoor classroom.
Individualized Care
We tailor care to each child's interests and developmental stage, creating custom activities that support their unique learning journey. Regular updates and collaboration with parents ensure consistent progress and a strong sense of security for every child.
People
Karen Hazelden
Nursery Proprietor
Karen Hazelden, a qualified nurse and midwife, founded Almond House in 2016. With over 20 years of experience running an Ofsted-rated Outstanding nursery, she prioritises individualised care and staff development to support children's growth.
Brit Hazelden
Nursery Management Team
Brit Hazelden holds a BA (Hons) in Early Years and Early Years Teacher Status. She focuses on creating engaging, nature-based learning experiences, believing in the value of hands-on play and community interaction for early childhood development.
Megan Bell
Nursery Manager
Megan Bell, a BTEC Level 3 Early Years Educator, manages daily operations at Almond House. She emphasises the importance of holistic learning, ensuring each child's unique needs are met through thoughtful, play-based activities and nurturing relationships.
April Whitworth
Pre-school Room Leader
April Whitworth, a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies graduate with Early Years Teacher Status, leads the pre-school room. She integrates literacy, numeracy, and outdoor learning to prepare children for school while fostering creativity and curiosity.
Martin Bray
Nursery Chef
Martin Bray, our skilled nursery chef, prepares nutritious, home-cooked meals using locally sourced ingredients. He collaborates with children in cooking classes, teaching them about food origins and healthy eating habits in a fun, interactive way.
Questions
What age groups does Almond House cater to?
We support children aged 0–5, with dedicated rooms for Under Twos (0–2), Tweenies (2–3), and Pre-school (3–5) to ensure age-appropriate care and learning.
Are meals provided at the nursery?
Yes, we serve home-cooked meals using locally sourced ingredients. Our menu includes diverse dishes to broaden children's palates and accommodate dietary needs.
How does Almond House support child development?
We use play-based learning, outdoor forest school sessions, and individualised activities to foster physical, social, and cognitive development tailored to each child's interests and stage.
Can parents visit the nursery before enrolling?
Yes, we encourage prospective parents to book a tour to explore our facilities, meet the team, and ask questions about our services and approach.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
Our team includes qualified nurses, midwives, Early Years Educators, and teachers. All staff undergo continuous training to maintain high standards of care and education.
Is there outdoor playtime for children?
Yes, we have extensive outdoor spaces and a 'learning in all weathers' approach. Children engage in daily outdoor activities, including nature walks and forest school sessions.
