Top tips for making the most of your nursery visit
We've compiled a list of popular questions families ask at nursery visits to help you when deciding which nursery to choose for your child's early years education.
Bourne Explorers Day Nursery & Pre-School, Hemel Hempstead
Having created a caring environment for all children, Partou Bourne Explorers provides high-quality childcare and early years education from an excellently maintained setting.
Our location in Hemel Hempstead, just a few hundred yards from the A41, makes us a convenient choice for parents who commute from Berkhamsted and further afield.
Facilities
A ‘home from home’ atmosphere where children can settle quickly and begin their educational journey
An exciting curriculum that reflects the needs and interests of each child
Healthy and delicious meals from our seasonal menu, freshly prepared at the nursery
A large garden environment, perfect for developing physical skills through outdoor play
A highly qualified team of practitioners who are experts in early years care and education
Funded childcare places available
Nursery fees
| Full-day (2 sessions) |
Weekly rate | Early drop off session | Morning session | Afternoon session | School day session | |
| Session time | 8.00am-6.00pm | 8.00am-6.00pm daily | 7.30am-8.00am | 8.00am-1.00pm | 1.00pm-6.00pm | 8.30am-3.30pm |
| 0-2 year olds | ||||||
| Care | £66.50 | £299.25 | £5.00 | £39.90 | £39.90 | N/A |
| Meals & snacks | £8.35 | £41.75 | £4.65 | £3.70 | N/A | |
| Consumables | £2.65 | £13.25 | £1.45 | £1.20 | N/A | |
| Total | £77.50 | £354.25 | £46.00 | £44.80 | N/A | |
| 3+ year olds | ||||||
| Care | £55.00 | £247.50 | £4.15 | £33.00 | £33.00 | £46.20 |
| Meals & snacks | £8.35 | £41.75 | £4.65 | £3.70 | £4.65 | |
| Consumables | £2.65 | £13.25 | £1.45 | £1.20 | £1.45 | |
| Total | £66.00 | £302.50 | £39.10 | £37.90 | £52.30 | |
Upon registration, you will be asked to pay a £75 registration fee (non-refundable) or a £75 registration deposit to reserve your child’s nursery place (see terms and conditions for eligibility).
What’s included in our fees?
Our full fees are clearly broken down into care, meals & snacks and consumables fees for full transparency.
Care fees include: trained, qualified team members taking care of your child, regular updates about your child and their progress at nursery, a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities tailored to the needs of your child, and use of the nursery building facilities.
Meals & snacks fees cover the cost of all food and drinks whilst your child is in our care. Meal and snack times are a very important part of Partou nursery life, learn more about how we make food and nutrition enjoyable and educational for children in our care.
Consumables include; important daily care items needed such as nappies, wet wipes and sun cream.
Discounts
Only one discount can be applied at any time:
- 5% discount for eldest child for siblings.
- 5% discount for Blue Light Card holders.
Other key information
- We’re closed on Bank Holidays.
- We’re closed between Christmas and New Year.
- Charges apply across 52 weeks of the year, including Bank Holidays.
Funded childcare
Partou Bourne Explorers Day Nursery & Pre-School is proud to offer funded childcare places
Funded childcare is a government incentive fulfilled by Local Authorities which aims to provide financial support for eligible families accessing childcare at an OFSTED registered setting. Partou Bourne Explorers Day Nursery & Pre-School work with Heretfordshire Local Authority to apply childcare funding for eligible families.
Funding typically covers 15 or 30 hours per week for the 38 term weeks of the year across a maximum of 10 hours a day. Children who are in year-round childcare will receive “stretched” funding. This means that their 15/30 hours over 38 weeks will be stretched over 51 weeks of the year so children accessing year round childcare at Partou Bourne Explorers will receive 11.17/22.35 hours of funded childcare per week.
Government funding for childcare only applies to the care fee (as described above). Meals & snacks and consumables fees are fully chargeable for all sessions including funded.
Many families are eligible for government funded childcare, see our childcare funding guide for more information.
Term duration and dates
The 2025/2026 terms dates set by Hertfordshire for Partou Bourne Explorer Day Nursery & Pre-School are below so you can see which term dates funding is applicable for:
|
|
Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
| Term Duration | 14 Weeks | 11 Weeks | 13 Weeks |
| 1st Half Term Dates | 8th Sept – 24th Oct | 5th Jan – 13th Feb | 13th April – 22nd May |
| 2nd Half Term Dates | 3rd Nov – 19th Dec | 23rd Feb – 27th March | 1st June – 17th July |
Please note that when you access funding in the term can impact the hours you are eligible for within that term period.
Our team will be able to assist you with any funding and term questions you may have.
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Bourne Explorers
Day Nursery
& Pre-school
01442 879762
Mon - Fri, 7.30am to 6.00pm (excl. bank holidays)
London Rd, Bourne End, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RQ
View on map
What do families say about Partou Bourne Explorers Day Nursery & Pre-School in Hemel Hempstead?
Overall rating
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S W
24 February 2026
The staff are amazing at Bourne End. They are attentive, kind, patient and genuinely have the kids best interests at heart. They go above and beyond and it shines through when you see how happy my kids are going there.
Helenka F
20 February 2026
My daughter has been attending the nursery for just over a month now and she absolutely loves it. The lovely team that look after her, are so caring and attentive. We couldn't ask for more. The nursery has a home away from home vibe, with a huge garden for the children. The team do an amazing job, an...
Megan H
20 February 2026
We're so happy with the care our son has received since starting at the nursery at the end of 2025. After an extended maternity leave, we were nervous about the transition, but the staff were amazing at helping both him and us settle in. Their kindness and reassurance has made a huge difference. Our...
M B
19 February 2026
My little boy absolutely loves coming into nursery every day. He's formed really good relationships with other children and staff. Staff are always friendly and organise lots of brilliant activities for the children. They have helped support my son through the arrival of his baby sister, keeping thin...
L S
19 February 2026
I wanted to send my daughter to Bourne End nursery after my initial visit. I was really excited about the outdoor space they have and how the current staff had accumulated over 100 years working there. I also liked how they send the children out in all weather, unless really bad of course. At first...
Rosie G
19 February 2026
We've been happy with the nursery for the past 3 years, having two children attending. The ladies who work there make it seem like home to the children and they are extremely caring. I feel at ease leaving my children there and know they're in good, nurturing hands. They run some great events at th...
H W
19 February 2026
We couldn't be happier with this nursery. Our daughter has absolutely thrived since starting - her confidence has grown so much and she's come on leaps and bounds in every way. The food menu is excellent, and it's clear they put real thought into providing healthy, varied meals . The teachers are ...
B P
18 February 2026
My Daughter has been at Bourne Explorers since she was 10/11 months old & with the help of the wonderful members of staff who have continued to build strong trusting relationships with my child & with their kind, loving & attentive personalities, my child has grown in confidence & is thriving. The ca...
George G
14 June 2024
My son has attended Bourne End Nursery for some time now and has quite simply loved every minute. The staff are kind, caring, and attentive, and communication is excellent at all stages from management. My son has thrived in the excellent setting that is on offer, with most of the playtime being outd...
N P
14 June 2024
My little boy has come on so much since joining the nursery last year. He is so happy here and adores his teachers and friends. He always comes home so excited. His speech has come along wonderfully and he's definitely a big fan of the yummy meals he has every day. Couldn't be happier that he is here...
L B
14 June 2024
My son has been attending the nursery for approximately 2 and a half years. He is always happy to go there and when he returns home he often talks about the teachers. All the staff are very kind and friendly. I am really happy with the choice I made for my son and I hope that in the future my daught...
David L
14 June 2024
A fantastic nursery and a real gem of a find. Very supportive and attentive staff and the large garden is a real plus. We're thrilled with the nursery and the dedication of the staff. Our two children attend in the baby and the pre-school room.
C F
20 November 2023
My children have been at Bourne End for over two years now. My eldest is in the toddler class and the youngest in the baby unit. I have always felt like the nursery was a safe and welcoming place to leave my children and still do. The staff are friendly and caring and they know my children well. They...
Sacha L
15 August 2023
A wonderful nursery that I couldn't recommend more! My son started in the Baby Unit in January 2023 and I was so impressed with how quickly he settled in, which is all thanks to the fantastic, caring and supportive staff. The facilities are great, both indoors and outdoors, and it's been lovely to s...
M N
20 June 2023
Great nursery with an amazing outdoor space and lots of fun activities. My son absolutely loves it there, he started in September 2022, settled in really quickly, became much more independent and made lots of friends. The staff is amazing and very caring - I couldn't recommend this nursery more.
Why Partou?
For us at Partou, childcare isn’t just a job, it’s a journey – one where every child leads us in a unique new direction.
As part of the Netherlands’ largest childcare group, we’ve access to world-leading expertise in learning and development, so you can be confident your child will benefit from an experience as unique as they are.
Of course, care is as much about empathy as education, and ours is a child-led approach that emphasises building confidence and curiosity – so that every child in our care has the freedom to flourish.
Reassurance for you and your little one
Care
We’re more than just a team; we’re a close community driven by our passion for childcare, and our commitment to each individual child’s development. We know that by working together, we’re stronger.
Compassion
In our community, compassion isn’t just a word; it’s our way of life. By embracing our differences, we make our community more diverse and vibrant. We build strong, supportive relationships with the children and each other, based on trust and understanding.
Continuous learning
We believe strongly in development, for the children in our care and for ourselves. Through continuous learning, we help our team and our children reach their full potential. Together, we make a positive impact, in our communities and across wider society.
Helpful information for your nursery search
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Working Family Childcare Funding Explained
From 1st September, more families than ever will be eligible for the government’s expanded “30 hours free childcare” scheme. Our guide explains what working family childcare funding is, who qualifies, how it’s applied, and the steps you need to take to claim it. Whether you need term-time ...