YMCA Dulverton Group | 6 Day Nurseries

Review of
Stepping Stones Pre-School
from Saskia S (Mother of Child) published on 18 March 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My 2-year-old has been attending Stepping Stones for a few months now, he was the youngest one when he started but he settled really easily thanks to the warm and kind staff. He really enjoys all the activities that are on offer and he goes in and comes home really happy. We have seen a big development

in both his confidence and speech which has been lovely to see. Compared to his last nursery, which was lovely as well, the communication is a lot better and we get daily updates on what the children have been up to as well as individual updates about our son's development. Staff go above and beyond and as a working parent, it's a relief to know that our son is happy and well looked after. I would highly recommend Stepping Stones to anyone looking for childcare.

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Early Years Education at Stepping Stones Pre-School

Thank you for taking the time to write a review. It is lovely to hear that you have had such a positive experience since moving your little one to Stepping Stones. It has been a pleasure to see his confidence and development grow and how well he has settled into the setting. I will pass your feedback onto the team. I know they appreciate it and value the recognition for all the effort they put into making the setting such a welcoming and stimulating environment. Thank you for your recommendation. Best wishes Natalie

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Review of
The Old Potting Shed Nursery
from Jen K (Mother of Child) published on 14 March 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My little girl loves attending nursery at the Potting Shed. The staff in both Acorns and Seedlings are so caring and nurturing. They encourage her to be independent and put so much effort into the activities. I love getting a daily diary with photos of everything she's been doing and she is always super

happy to arrive at nursery in the mornings.

Reply from Lisa Marchent, Manager at The Old Potting Shed Nursery

Thank you for your feedback we are glad that you enjoy the daily updates and feel informed about your child's day.

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Review of
Stepping Stones Pre-School
from S E (Father of Child) published on 11 March 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My daughter attends this nursery and always has a great time. She is so excited to go everyday and then comes home and talks about it.
She has been having a couple of issues with speaking, however they developed over Christmas 2024 and since only being back at nursery for a couple of weeks there are

some dramatic signs of improvement.
Being attached to the school is really handy for parent drop offs and it also allows the children access to the playgrounds during school class times which is really good for going out for walks and climbing little trees etc.
The staff are really friendly and always happy to talk through the day, any issues and how things are progressing with your child. The staff also design inventive ways to entertain the children, like freezing things in ice for the children to dig out etc.
Seeing the photos from each day is really nice too.

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Early Years Education at Stepping Stones Pre-School

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a lovely detailed review. We are so pleased to be able to support your daughter in the setting, she is such a joy!! We are very proud of the team and recognise that they go over and above to ensure the children's individual needs are met. Your feedback means a lot and I will be sure to pass it on. Best wishes.

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Review of
The Old Potting Shed Nursery
from Gabriella D (Mother of Child) published on 7 March 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Our son has been attending this nursery for a year and a half now, and absolutely loves it. He has grown in confidence and learns so many new skills here. All the messy play and painting is great for his creativity and imagination. And I love that they encourage lots of outdoor activities, as our son

loves being outside, doing things like riding the bikes or running races. It's great to see all the pictures at the end of the day showing what they've been up to. All the staff are approachable, attentive and caring. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend this nursery. Our daughter is starting there soon too, and I know she will be well looked after.

Reply from Lisa Marchent, Manager at The Old Potting Shed Nursery

Thank you for your feedback, we really do love getting messy be it through arts and crafts, or through exploring the natural outdoors environments we have access to. Watching the children grow in confidence to try the messy activities is a highlight of our time with them, and seeing their achievements makes us so proud.

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Review of
The Old Potting Shed Nursery
from J H (Mother of Child) published on 5 March 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My son absolutely loves going to nursery! His speech has come on really well since starting and also his confidence has grown. The team are lovely and caring and very happy leaving my son in their care.

Reply from Lisa Marchent, Manager at The Old Potting Shed Nursery

Thank you for your review we really work hard with the children around speech and language and using a variety of methods to support language development but mostly through singing and reading and simple sign language.

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Review of
Wooden House Nursery
from Hannah S (Mother of Child) published on 4 March 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Wooden House Nursery has been an incredibly welcoming environment for my little boy. The staff have been so caring and attentive with him and he loves the access to the outdoor space. I would highly recommend this nursery to anyone.

Reply from Caroline Taplin, Manager at Wooden House Nursery

Thank you for your response. It is good to hear that you have felt welcomed well cared for along with enjoying our outside space.

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Review of
The Old Potting Shed Nursery
from J F (Mother of Child) published on 3 March 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Lovely, friendly nursery, caring and professional. Great communication through the app and feel well-updated throughout the nursery day. Always have lots of different activities available, creative fun and time spent outside.

Reply from Lisa Marchent, Manager at The Old Potting Shed Nursery

Thank you for your feedback we are continually improving the nursery in all areas and enjoy planning the environments for the little ones to enjoy. We love being outside and often use the grounds of the estate to explore, learn and be curious about all things nature.

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Review of
The Old Potting Shed Nursery
from Amy P (Mother of Child) published on 3 March 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My daughter joined this nursery in December 2024.
She has settled in brilliantly, always super happy at drop off/pick up. Her talking and confidence have improved a lot in such a short time. The staff are so friendly, happy, helpful and patient, I would definitely recommend family and friends to this

nursery. Different rooms inside for all kinds of activities and a huge garden for the children to play in with lots of different toys and educational activities.
A big thank you to all the staff for looking after my little girl!

Reply from Lisa Marchent, Manager at The Old Potting Shed Nursery

Thank you for your lovely feedback, our teams work hard to help each child settle as quickly and securely as possible and it's also just as important to us to support the parents during the settling in stage. We are pleased to hear how happy and settled you are as a family.

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Review of
The Old Potting Shed Nursery
from Lily M (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Our boys aged 2 and 4 have been attending the Old Potting Shed for 6 months and are absolutely thriving there. They love the team and have bonded really closely with their key workers especially. The staff are so thoughtful and take a holistic approach to caring for our children. They run into the nursery

happily in the mornings and talk to us at the weekends about all the fun things they get up to. The garden and grounds are fantastic and they spend so much time outside, whatever the weather! They did a detailed and insightful preschool observation of our older son and gave us some really helpful advice on getting him ready for school. Most importantly, the staff are caring, trustworthy and kind. I go to work safe in the knowledge that they will all take amazing care of our boys.

Reply from Lisa Marchent, Manager at The Old Potting Shed Nursery

Thank you for your very kind review, the teams in all rooms really care for the children they look after and always strive to give them the best time at nursery making memories and offering new opportunities.

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Review of
Barley Wood Nursery
from Ellis C (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

If your child loves being outside then this is the perfect nursery for you. The private grounds include woods where the children can make
campfires, Italian gardens with far-reaching views and lawned areas perfect for the summer. The children get outside twice a day no matter the weather which I think

is very important for their mental and physical health. My daughter started in rabbits when she turned 1 and my new arrival is already on the list to join in 2026. I fully trust the staff at Barley Wood and they work really hard to develop a relationship with you and create a family environment. Invoices are easy to read and questions are answered promptly. Barley Wood use the app where you can view your child's meals and sleep and photos are taken throughout the week to show you what your child has been doing. Breastfeeding is supported and the baby room works with you to help with any weaning, or sleep issues. I love Barley Wood and wouldn't trust my children with anyone else!

Reply from Rebecca Rudge, Nursery Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much for such a lovely review. We are so pleased that you have had such a good experience with your child here. We are very lucky to have such a choice of what to explore each day with our outside areas. I am pleased that you agree that our staff really do some amazing work, working closely with families to develop relationships and support settling with new children. We look forward to welcoming your new arrival next year. Thank you again.

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Review of
Wooden House Nursery
from Donna P (Great Aunt of Child) published on 18 February 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

From the moment I approached this Nursery, the manager and her team made me and the little one feel very welcome. The settle-in sessions went well and we are now 9 months in of my great niece (for which I am guardian of) going to Wooden House Nursery and she loves every day she goes. She is now 19 months

old and attends 3 days a week. The staff are friendly and get to know each child on an individual basis. The staff keep me updated with their progress throughout the day with updates via the app and conversations at drop off and pick. On pick-up little miss is always smiling and happy which is down to the staff and the care and activities they provide.

Reply from Caroline Taplin, Manager at Wooden House Nursery

Thank you for your kind review. It has been lovely getting to know you both and it is great to see how happy she is not only at pick-up but throughout the whole day, always smiling. It is nice to hear that we provide good information and feedback because it is something we feel is important.

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Review of
Barley Wood Nursery
from A M (Grandmother of Child) published on 18 February 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Barley Wood Nursery has a warm welcoming environment. The nursery is set within woodland, allowing this setting to be incorporated into the children's learning as much as possible. The individual needs of the children are well met. I found it to be a safe place for my Granddaughter to be. The staff

are approachable, welcoming and knowledgeable.

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are very pleased that you find the setting to have a warm welcoming environment. The staff work hard to create an environment where children feel safe and nurtured. We are extremely lucky to have the grounds that we do and know that children learn so much from exploring the outdoor environment, it is definitely our favourite place to be!

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Review of
Barley Wood Nursery
from J T (Mother of Child) published on 18 February 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

I cannot recommend Barley Wood enough. Both my children are currently at Barley Wood and I could not be more happier with the nursery. The setting is second to none, the children play in the woods, explore the Italian gardens, look for big bad Barry (the fish), make a campfire, roll down the hill, and

are out and about in all weathers, even the babies.
My children are so happy there, they have lots of wonderful friends, eat delicious looking food and are looked after with such care and attention.
The staff are amazing: compassionate, kind, fun, patient and fair. They know the children individually and really care about each and every one.
I wish every child could have access to a nursery like Barley Wood.

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much for this fabulous review. We are so pleased that you have had such a positive experience at Barley Wood with both of your children. We are very proud of the amazing and unique outdoor environment that we have, where children's imaginations are inspired and encouraged. I am so pleased that you agree, our staff are amazing! We believe that every child should have access to high-quality education and they put so much effort into caring and nurturing the children. Thank you again.

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Review of
Yew Trees Nursery
from Alice C (Mother of Child) published on 7 February 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

This nursery fills my heart with joy. I genuinely feel so happy knowing how amazing it is and how much he loves it.
He has thrived and developed beyond compare since being in this setting. His key worker is outstanding, funny and loving. I have no worries whilst he is in her care, or the other key

workers in the room.
Communication and contact between staff and us at home is amazing. Something that was a priority for me. We kept well informed all the time, with basic needs, observations and daily round ups (including pictures).
The office staff have also been amazing and supportive. He has an allergy and I can confirm that it is treated with the upmost respect and priority.
Genuinely could think of a better place to send out little one. He's out in all weathers, exploring, learning and making little friends. Not sure how they don't run out of ideas for indoor activities too. Never worried about him not being stimulated/educated/entertained.

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Early Years Education at Yew Trees Nursery

Wow, thank you for such an amazing review! I am delighted that your experience has been so positive and the hard work, passion and dedication from our management and staff team is reflected in your experience. We are so proud of the wonderful grounds that we have and recognise the importance of children learning in the outdoor environment. The team are very skilled in treating each child as an individual and planning activities which enhance their learning and development. I will certainly pass on your feedback as I know the team will appreciate it.

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Review of
Meadowside Preschool
from Elizabeth W (Mother of Child) published on 7 February 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

The Meadowside Preschool staff have given our daughter a lovely warm welcome since she's joined this month, after having only ever known one other nursery. Moving house and pre-school is hard but she has settled really well at Meadowside owing to their care and provision of fun playing and learning

activities (and toast!)

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Early Years Education at Meadowside Preschool

Thank you so much for taking the time to write your review. We are so pleased that your daughter has settled so well into the nursery and that your experience has been so positive. We pride ourselves on the welcoming and nurturing environment that the staff work so hard to create as we know that by doing this, children learn best when they feel happy and secure. Many thanks, Natalie

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Review of
Meadowside Preschool
from Helen B (Mother of Child) published on 7 February 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My daughter has only been at Meadowside Preschool for a few weeks but has settled in so well, thanks to the efforts of the team. Everyone is friendly and helpful. There are varied organised activities every day, which are reported on an App so you can see what they've been up to. The space is well set

up for the group, with an outdoor classroom and a field which they seem to really enjoy running around in. Would definitely recommend based on our experience so far!

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Meadowside Preschool

Thank you for your lovely review. We are very proud of the beautiful space that we have and our team are amazing, so I am pleased that your experience so far has been so positive and reflects this. The staff put a lot of effort into getting to know each child as an individual and planning activities that help them grow and develop in all areas of their learning. The app is a hit with parents as you get real-time updates and we understand how important it is that you see your child happy and engaging throughout the day. Many thanks, Natalie

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Review of
Stepping Stones Pre-School
from D A (Mother of Child) published on 7 February 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

This setting is fantastic. After having a bad experience with our toddler in another setting (when he was a baby) we were a bit nervous at the start. Every member of staff, especially the manager, was incredibly supportive and reassuring from day one and my son ended up settling quickly and really well.

He now loves his time at Stepping Stones and always has great things to tell us about his day. The communication with parents is great, we get daily pictures of what they're up to and I feel like we're really working together as a team with his best interests at heart when any issues come up. He's really come out of his shell since starting, his speech has improved so much as well as his confidence, which is just so reassuring as a parent. The fact that it's a relatively small setting with mixed ages is also a huge benefit for their development. Really recommend this preschool for any local parents looking for childcare.

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Stepping Stones Pre-School

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a wonderful review. We love having your little one in the setting and are so pleased that your experience with us has been so positive. We have a fantastic team of staff who go over and above to make sure each child is supported to develop in a caring and nurturing environment. I'm so glad that this is reflected in your experience of the setting. I will pass your feedback on to the team, I know how much they appreciate it. Many thanks, Natalie

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Review of
Meadowside Preschool
from Abigail L (Mother of Child) published on 5 February 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

I cannot recommend this preschool enough! It makes me sad that this will be my child's last year here as he is moving to Reception. He gets excited to go there everyday and that as a parent is what you want. The staff have helped and advised on how to assist his progress with his speech to ensure we

as new parents are assisted as he has struggled with this. The staff are lovely and do their utmost to help your child feel comfortable and their progression, their communication is excellent! The updates and detail on the app daily are brilliant to keep you in the loop with your child's day. The setting is wonderful, I went to view other preschool prior to Meadowside and found Meadowside to be the most fulfilling, it has lots of space and a real happy feeling. The activities the children do daily are endless, and my child has brought home little cakes he has made/art etc, the little goodie bag he came home with at Christmas was especially lovely. I can only say I wish he attended sooner!

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Meadowside Preschool

Thank you so much for your wonderful review of our setting. We are so pleased that you have had such a positive experience at Meadowside! The team are amazing at what they do, so passionate and caring and this makes the setting extra special. I will let them know your feedback and they will be delighted. Best wishes Natalie

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Review of
Yew Trees Nursery
from Matt D (Father of Child) published on 22 January 2025

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

We are so happy we managed to get our child into Yew Trees after looking at a couple of other settings. She has settled in brilliantly and her key worker is amazing as are all the staff in the baby room. We get regular updates which really puts your mind at ease when at work. The activities are always

varied and the focus is very much on the children and encouraging them to achieve. Keep up the amazing work all at Yew Trees we really are lucky to have you looking after our little one.

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Yew Trees Nursery

Thank you very much for taking the time to write such a lovely review of our setting. The staff put so much effort into planning activities that support the children's development and really promote every child as an individual. I will pass your feedback onto the team, I know they will appreciate it! Best wishes.

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Review of
Meadowside Preschool
from F C (Mother of Child) published on 31 December 2024

Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Both my Son and Daughter attend Meadowside Nursery and also attend the breakfast club. All the staff there are amazing and there are particularly 3 who stand out. They have all made both my son and daughter feel welcome and they put a lot of effort into creating fun activities, making cakes is one of

my daughter's favourites! We are always welcomed with smiles when dropping the children off, which makes us as parents feel at ease and know our children are in safe, capable hands. Both my children have come on leaps and bounds from attending this nursery. A big thank you to all the staff. It is definitely a nursery I would recommend to any parents.

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Meadowside Preschool

Thank you very much for taking the time to write such a lovely review of the setting and I am so pleased that you have had such a positive experience. We love having both your children at the setting, they are a pleasure to care for. I will pass your feedback onto the staff, I agree, they are amazing and we are very proud of the team we have at the setting for the care, compassion, fun and learning opportunities they provide for all of the children in the setting. Thank you for your recommendation!

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Day Nurseries Owned by YMCA Dulverton Group

YMCA Dulverton Group Locations (6)

YMCA Dulverton Group Reviews (219)

Stepping Stones Pre-School

The Old Potting Shed Nursery

Stepping Stones Pre-School

The Old Potting Shed Nursery

The Old Potting Shed Nursery

Wooden House Nursery

The Old Potting Shed Nursery

The Old Potting Shed Nursery

The Old Potting Shed Nursery

Barley Wood Nursery

Wooden House Nursery

Barley Wood Nursery

Barley Wood Nursery

Yew Trees Nursery

Meadowside Preschool

Meadowside Preschool

Stepping Stones Pre-School

Meadowside Preschool

Yew Trees Nursery

Meadowside Preschool

Awards / Recognitions (2)

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