Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet)

1-3 Orchard Road, Barnet EN5 2HL
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9.8 95 Reviews
  • Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet), Barnet
Woodlands Day Nursery is a beautiful property, converted to create a 77 place day nursery of the highest quality.

Friendly and well-established, Woodlands provides a happy, sociable environment where every child is treated as an individual.

Much of the character of the building has been retained to provide spacious and interesting rooms with first class facilities. There are many sensory areas where the children can explore using all their senses.

The outdoor areas at Woodlands have been designed to encourage the children to explore holistically. It incorporates a covered area for babies to allow them to safely discover and investigate, whether they are crawling or walking.

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Care Provided by Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet)

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Melina Koulakis (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 46
  • Total Places for Children
  • 76
  • Age Range
    • from 2 months
    • to 5 years
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & Inset Days
  • Parking

  • There are a few bays on Orchard Road that are pay and display. Most parents park on the road next to the nursery, Elm Road, and put their hazards on. The nursery provides parents a sign in their car to state they are dropping or collecting.


Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) Reviews (95)

Total of 95, showing 1-20
9.8

Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.789) out of 10, based on 16 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) has 95 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 87
  • 7
  • 1
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Date Published

95
6
9
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79

Review from B P (Mother of Child) published on 29 April 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of our children have attended Woodlands Nursery over the past few years, and we couldn't be more grateful for the wonderful experience they've had. The staff are wonderful, warm, and caring - and it's clear how much they genuinely care about the children. We've watched both our daughter and son
flourish during their time there, growing in confidence, curiosity, and happiness. Saying goodbye is bittersweet, as Woodlands has felt like a second home. We'll miss it dearly and can't thank the team enough for the incredible start they've given our little ones.

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Review from T F (Father of Child) published on 28 April 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our child started at Woodlands Barnet in Caterpillars during September of 2024 and I've only good things to say. He is thriving more than we could've ever hoped and comes in smiling everyday, excited for the day ahead. The team keeps us updated regularly with how he's doing within himself and his development.
The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and are on hand to help at all times. Our child has created amazing bonds with the staff, even those who are not based in his room due to the effort that they all put in throughout the setting.
The quality of activities is outstanding and the children are always engaged with various types of play, both inside and outside in their spacious garden.

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Review from Faisel C (Father of Child) published on 28 April 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

From the initial discussion on the phone, the first visit to actually enrolling our baby into the caterpillars room, everything has been nothing short of excellent in all regards.


There is a very good ambience as soon as you walk into the building from the reception all the way to the baby's room,

The staff are very friendly and professional and know all of the children's names even if not based in their own rooms.


Cannot recommend the nursery enough to any parent who is considering using it. The regular updates and the learning that takes place even at a young age, is clearly seen both in and out of the nursery.


Keep up the great work everyone!


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Review from J P (Father of Child) published on 4 April 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5

Woodlands takes great care of our daughter, and we feel that it is an exceptional place where she is embraced. She has really enjoyed her time there and has been excited to tell us what she has done that day on our way home. The staff are all lovely, though the staffing was a little dynamic and we felt
uneasy when her key person changed.
They give us photos on the app, which is always appreciated, but we would be even happier if more photos could be shared - for example, at least once a week.

Reply from Melina Koulakis, Nursery Manager at Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet)

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback. We're delighted to hear that your daughter is enjoying her time at Woodlands Day Nursery. Unfortunately, changes within the staff team can mean a change of key person at times and we try our best to ensure a smooth transition for any families affected. We hope you continue to enjoy your time at our nursery.


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Review from R O (Mother of Child) published on 27 March 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have been very happy with our experience of Woodlands. The staff are very caring and communicate very well with us at drop off and pick up.

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Review from C A (Mother of Child) published on 10 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our eldest daughter has been going to Woodlands for over a year now and our youngest just started. The whole Woodlands team is extremely friendly and has the interests of the children at heart. Everybody is very attentive and this brings a strong peace of mind to us, parents, knowing our children are
very well looked after, in a lovely and safe environment. We love the garden is in free access in the summer. We can see our children's development and learning progress, as well as the good manners that are being taught. Furthermore, we have observed little staff turnover compared to other nurseries, which provides continuity to the families.

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Review from J C (Father of Child) published on 6 November 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Recently, we needed some extra support via a large number of additional days which the nursery luckily had available. Communication and arrangement with the team was a breeze. But the best thing of all, was how our child has revelled and excelled in her additional days spent at the nursery with the
team and her friends! Our daughter loves it and we love picking her up, talking to the team to find out about her day and chatting to our lil legs all the way home, about all the fun she has had there. Thank you team, also for all the recent updates, they are totally awesome! Thank you!

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Review from Annwen B (Mother of Child) published on 26 July 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter started at Woodlands in January 2024, and I can't begin to express how happy we have been. We have seen her absolutely blossom and develop. The fondness she has for all the staff is clearly reflected on her smiling face, she sometimes doesn't even want to leave when I collect her. I can't
say thank you enough!

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Review from J M (Mother of Child) published on 24 May 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have had an excellent experience with Woodlands Barnet. The settling-in process was great. Everyone was very supportive and made what could have been a very difficult transition really easy. They understood what a hard adjustment it was, which really helped. There is a lovely atmosphere in the nursery
and my little one is really enjoying being there and getting involved in all the lovely activities they have.

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Review from Louise H (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Wonderful nursery - both my children have flourished under the care of the brilliant staff. Woodlands is a lovely, warm setting with lots of fun and educational activities for the children to take part in. The staff are wonderful and the care they provide my children is second to none!

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Review from A H (Mother of Child) published on 6 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Woodlands Barnet is a great nursery. My 4-year-old and 2-year-old both attend the nursery, and both have settled really nicely and feel excited to attend. There are so many learning opportunities for them, and they both talk about their friends. They really love their teachers, they have been very nurturing
and all genuinely very caring. They often have many activities to develop their social and emotional skills and they always spend time playing out in the lovely garden. In the preschool room, my son has learnt a lot and there are plenty of opportunities to learn about phonics and numbers. We have had a very helpful process so far thinking about transitioning to school, and Woodlands has been very supportive in this. Would highly recommend!

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Review from Mayuri K (Mother of Child) published on 23 January 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very caring and nurturing nursery staff who are very attentive to the individual needs of the kids. My son has attended the nursery since he was 8 months old and he thrives there. He is naturally a shy boy but enjoys attending nursery and is really coming out of his shell there. They have a lovely outdoor
area which he loves playing in and comes home every day telling me about the activities and conversations he has had at the nursery. He always has formed great relationships with his support workers who have always been excellent at caring for him.

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Review from Ophelia R (Mother of Child) published on 10 January 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has been in the Bumblebees room since Sept 2023. We initially were worried about him being in a larger setting, compared to his previous nursery, but there are plenty of staff around, so each child can have the attention that is required. We like that there is free flow between the room and
the garden (particularly in the warmer weather), as our son loves being outdoors. There are a good range of activities and the meals sound healthy and tasty! The entire team are so friendly and welcoming, it really feels that each child is a part of the Woodlands family. Staff work with parents to help children work on various skills and milestones - and run events to raise money for charity, which helps build the community spirit. Our only improvement would be more updates via the app: We'd love more photos of what our son gets up to! However, we understand that it is a balance between staff being present at the moment for the children and being able to take photos.

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Review from L C (Mother of Child) published on 9 October 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Woodlands has looked after our daughter really nicely.
She has just moved from Ladybirds to Bumblebees, so this review relates to her time in Ladybirds. At the start of her time in Ladybirds, the staffing was a little dynamic, with lots of recruitment and shuffling of staff between rooms, and changes
of key person. That seems to have settled out in the last few months, allowing our daughter to feel more settled and confident with the adults caring for her (this was important during potty training). The current staff are better at giving us updates and photos on the app, which is always appreciated (although there is room for them to increase this further). They do lots of activities, including time in the garden, and lots of messy play. They have really encouraged our daughter to make friends, and she has been happy and well looked after during her time at Woodlands in Ladybirds room.
The management team are responsive and easy to contact.

Reply from Melina, Nursery Manager at Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet)

Thank you so much for your kind comments and for taking the time to review our nursery. Parent feedback is vital to our efforts to continuously improve the nursery experience. With regard to communication, the number of posts on the app follows Early Years Foundation Stage revisions which focus on reducing ‘paperwork’ to heighten the quality of the activity underway and the interaction between practitioner and child. ‘Snapshot’ observations are supplemented with ‘Monthly Learning Story’ and ‘age and stage’ developmental assessments. This is in addition to updates at the end of sessions and regular Parent Newsletters detailing activity in each room and the resources and events freely available to parents through the app. Once again, thank you again for your kind comments.


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Review from Pratheeshaa M (Mother of Child) published on 6 October 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter is in the Ladybirds room at this nursery- she has really enjoyed her time there and comes back excited to tell us everything she has done. The nursery staff are all lovely and I was able to call in the initial phases and ensure my child was okay- which was reassuring for me.
I am happy
with the care provided by the nursery and do feel my daughter really enjoys her time there.

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Review from Andreea L (Mother of Child) published on 15 August 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We’ve been part of Woodlands Barnet Nursery for more than four years. Both my kids had an amazing time and will keep forever memories made with lovely staff and friends.
It truly felt like a second home, and we are grateful for the positive impact it has had on our family.
Woodlands Barnet Nursery
is an exceptional place where children are embraced as part of a loving and nurturing family.
We highly recommend Woodlands Barnet Nursery to any parent.

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Review from Ebru S (Mother of Child) published on 24 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I feel so happy with everything Woodlands Day Nursery offer myself and my daughter overall. I feel she is under such excellent care every time I drop her off, I feel happy dropping her off. The staff are loving, caring and take their time to understand each individual child and their needs. She has
been progressing so well and learning more words each week. She's a happy girl at the end of each day she leaves the nursery. The staff go out of their way to help her and support and advise parents in the way to maybe approach things with a toddler at home. I.e potty training, slowly trying to get rid of dummies. I’m really lucky to have a such great team looking after my little girl.

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Review from Liam M (Father of Child) published on 7 February 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I could not recommend Woodlands Day Nursery in Barnet highly enough. Both of our sons have gone to Woodlands and they absolutely loved their time there. We found all of the staff to be caring, kind and knowledgeable and my boys really developed deep relationships with the staff when they were there.
There is a great vibe to the nursery, from the reception team to the children's key workers and our boys made wonderful friends that they have maintained even now one has left for school. The activities are great for the kids and they love the food they are served! My boys are reluctant to try new food but they love the food they receive at nursery. As our eldest left to go to school, we quickly realised that the skills he had been developing at nursery put him in a great place to start school which is why we were so keen for our youngest to attend Woodlands also. It's a lovely place for kids to grow and develop and I would highly recommend it to other parents.

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Review from Emma S (Mother of Child) published on 30 January 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter started at Woodlands pre-school in the middle of the Autumn term after just having a baby sibling - lots of change for her having just turned three so I was quite nervous about how she would cope with the transition. After her well thought out settles and a one-to-one chat with her lovely
key worker I felt reassured. She adores the setting which has kindness and care at its heart. The staff work tirelessly and have such passion and enthusiasm for the children they care for we feel very lucky to have them caring for our daughter every day. The staff have been a huge support in potty training our daughter something I struggled with a young baby at home and we are now fully potty trained. The setting really encourages independence which I can see at home - yesterday at pick up my daughter was eating her fruit snack and she disappeared to wash her hands when she had finished and now helps me tidy away plates after family meals. It's really lovely to see.

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Review from Lee E (Father of Child) published on 10 October 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Woodlands Day Nursery has provided a safe and exciting place for our daughter. The grounds and staff are excellent and we've always felt comfortable leaving our child here on, often, long days. She has made many friends, children and staff. Woodlands was recommended to us and we, in turn, would recommend
it to others.

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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.789)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.789) out of 10 for Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 16 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 15 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.802 for Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) is calculated as follows: ( (166 Excellents x 5) + (16 Goods x 4) + (8 Satisfactorys x 3) + (2 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 192 Ratings = 4.802

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 4.987 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) is based on 15 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 76 number of registered child places is 15.2. 15 Positive Reviews ÷ 15.2 = 0.987

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Child Vacancies

posted 28 Apr 2025

Places are available. Please contact our nursery for details on age groups and session availability.


Awards / Recognitions (19)

Top 20 Large Nursery Groups 2025

Recipient: Childbase Partnership

Date: Monday 31 Mar 2025 More details

Top 20 Large Nursery Groups 2024

Recipient: Childbase Partnership

Date: Thursday 28 Mar 2024 More details

Top 20 Large Nursery Groups 2023

Recipient: Childbase Partnership

Date: Friday 28 Apr 2023 More details

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Meet the Team (1)

Melina

Melina Koulakis

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2003

I am the manager of Woodlands Barnet. I joined Childbase 20 years ago and have a Level 4 qualification in childcare. I have over 20 years of experience in Early Years.


What is your favourite feature of Woodlands?
Lovely team, great outdoor facilities and a 'home from home' environment.


What are you most proud of about your nursery/team?
Watching how much it has grown and developed over the years.


Frequently Asked Questions about Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet)

What is the Age Range of Children that Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) accepts?

Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) accepts Children aged from 2 months to 5 years.

What Days & Hours is Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) Open?

Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) is open: Monday 07:30-18:30, Tuesday 07:30-18:30, Wednesday 07:30-18:30, Thursday 07:30-18:30, Friday 07:30-18:30.

How many Children does Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) have capacity for?

Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) has capacity for a total of 76 Children.

How far is Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) to the centre of Barnet?

0.0 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) has a Platinum Service – more info.