“Our 4 year old has just finished at The House That Jack Built to start school, having been at the nursery since he was 16 months old. He absolutely loved his time there. It’s a lovely spacious site with great facilities, and the staff are so caring, smiley and creative. He has such a special bond with them. All of the staff have helped him grow into such a confident little boy, and he walked happily into reception last week without a backward glance, despite being one of the youngest starters. We also have a 2 year old who is just leaving the baby unit and moving up to toddlers. The baby unit is an amazing space and run by the loveliest team. A huge thank you for all of your smiles and care over the last three years.”
12 Chestnut Lane, Hazlemere, HP15 7BZ
A nursery on your doorstep if you live in Widmer End
Widmer End sits just over the hill from Hazlemere, and The House That Jack Built on Chestnut Lane is as close a nursery as you will find to the village. If you know the fields around Widmer End and the quiet roads that run down through Western Dene, you are probably already familiar with how short the journey feels once you have done it a few times. We would love to show you around, so do get in touch and come and see us.
Why families choose us
Our approach
What parents tend to notice first when they visit is how much the children here are getting on with things independently. We are a free-flow setting, which means children move between the indoor spaces and the garden throughout the day, following their own interests rather than waiting for an adult to organise them. That freedom builds something real: children who are confident making decisions, choosing what to explore and spending time with different ages of children in a setting that genuinely feels like a home rather than an institution. Margaret opened this nursery in 2000 with that exact intention, and more than 25 years on, the same family instinct runs through everything we do.
In practice
On the practical side, we take the settling-in period seriously rather than treating it as a formality. Every child has two settling-in sessions before they start, with parents present, and we build on that if a child needs more time. Your child will have a key carer who knows them well, and you can expect daily communication as well as termly updates. We accept both 15 and 30 hours funded childcare, and we can walk you through how to apply and what it covers when you visit. Ofsted rated us Good, and if you want to know what that means in practice, the straightforward answer is that inspectors found our children to be well-cared for, well-supported and making good progress.
For families in Widmer End
For families in Widmer End specifically, the practicalities of nursery drop-off tend to be shaped by the fact that this is a quiet, semi-rural village with no high street and limited public transport. Most people here are already in the habit of driving a short distance for everyday things, and the journey to Chestnut Lane fits neatly into a morning commute toward High Wycombe or Amersham. The village itself borders open green space, and children who grow up playing in places like Widmer Fields tend to take well to a nursery where outdoor time is part of every single day rather than an occasional outing.
Address
12 Chestnut Lane, Hazlemere, HP15 7BZ
Phone
01494 713425Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6:30pm
Ages
6 weeks to 5 years
Ofsted
Good
Funding
15 & 30 hours accepted
Getting here
From Widmer End, the most direct route by car takes you down through Brimmers Hill and Western Dene, joining Holmer Green Road and then Eastern Dene before reaching Chestnut Lane in Hazlemere, which is roughly a 10-minute drive. There is on-site parking at the nursery, so the morning handover is straightforward. For those who prefer to walk, the route is around 1,326 metres and takes approximately 18 minutes on foot.
Coming from nearby?
Parent reviews
What Buckinghamshire families say about us
The families already with us can tell you more than we ever could. Parents who started with us as babies are now sending their second and third children through our doors. That kind of trust is not given lightly, and we do not take it for granted.
“Both of my children have attended THTJB over the past 4 years and we have had the best experience. My son was so well prepared to start school last September, despite being one of the youngest in his year, and my daughter can't wait to run into her friends and key workers every morning that she attends. All the staff are so friendly and helpful and the children have a great balance of lots of fun combined with structure.”
“Cannot recommend more: my two daughters came here before leaving for school, my eldest who has special needs was well looked after, and they helped us with the EHCP, and any additional support that would be needed, was such a life saver, as for my youngest who just left for school recently is more than prepared! Both of my children loved this nursery, and made many friends, the staff are warm and friendly, and really take the time to listen to you and your children, they also have little events like pirate day and a Christmas sing!”
See us in action
Come and see a normal day
A tour is the best way to know whether we are the right fit. Meet our team, explore the spaces, and ask us anything.
Not ready yet?
Things parents ask us
Common questions
Widmer End is immediately north of Hazlemere, and the nursery on Chestnut Lane is one of the closest settings you will find to the village. By car it takes around 10 minutes, following Brimmers Hill and Western Dene down through to Holmer Green Road and Eastern Dene. There is on-site parking, which makes the morning drop-off considerably less stressful.
Yes, we accept both the 15-hour universal entitlement and the 30-hour extended offer for eligible working families. If you are not sure which you qualify for or how to apply, we are happy to talk you through it when you come for a visit. The funding can make a significant difference to the cost of care, and we would rather you understood exactly what is available to you before you make any decisions.
We care for children from six weeks old through to five years, so we can be with your child from a very early stage right through to school. Places do fill up, particularly for babies and younger toddlers, so it is worth getting in touch sooner rather than later if you have a start date in mind. You are very welcome to come and look around before you commit to anything.
An Ofsted rating of Good means that inspectors judged the children to be safe, well-cared for and making good progress in their learning and development. In practical terms, it reflects the way we work: consistent key carers, a genuine free-flow environment, and a programme that follows the Early Years Foundation Stage. It gives you an independent view of the nursery that goes beyond what we say about ourselves.
You can get in touch through our website or by phone to arrange a visit, and we encourage you to come and see the nursery before making any decisions. If you decide to go ahead, every child has two dedicated settling-in sessions before their first full day, with you present throughout. We build on those sessions if a child needs more time, and we do a check-in shortly after they start to make sure things are going well for your family as well as for them.
Ofsted registered, inspected, and rated Good
Independently inspected so you do not have to take our word for it.
"Children arrive excited for their day at this welcoming setting. They happily chatter to staff as they confidently separate from their parents."