Bright Horizons Guildford Day Nursery and Preschool

University of Surrey, Richard Meyjes Road, Guildford GU2 7XU
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9.9 65 Reviews
  • Bright Horizons Guildford Day Nursery and Preschool, Guildford
An inspiring and nurturing nursery at the University of Surrey.

Bright Horizons Guildford Nursery and Preschool provide childcare for families in and around Guildford as well as for staff, faculty and students of the University of Surrey.

The nursery can be located just off Richard Meyjes Road with parent parking for drop off and pickups.

Newly refurbished and extended, the nursery has four main rooms, all with access to the large, all-weather outdoor space. All children can access the secure, well-resourced space and enjoy the resources and activities available to them.

The children are prepared to transition to school through its unique Ready for School Programme, which includes Bright Horizons bespoke Growing Readers, Writers and Mathematicians programmes.

Throughout the year, the nursery holds various events to encourage staff, parents and children to socialise.

These include events such as Easter Egg Hunt, Summer Picnic, Christmas Lunch and a visit from Santa. Stay and Play events are held regularly during the year.

The nursery has been awarded an Ofsted rating of ‘good’ for its commitment to high quality childcare and education (February 2019).

Book a personal tour today to see what the nursery has to offer.

Care Provided by Bright Horizons Guildford Day Nursery and Preschool

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Person in charge
  • Becka (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 35
  • Total Places for Children
  • 42
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 08:00-18:30
    Tuesday 08:00-18:30
    Wednesday 08:00-18:30
    Thursday 08:00-18:30
    Friday 08:00-18:30
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Bright Horizons Guildford Day Nursery and Preschool Reviews (65)

Total of 65, showing 41-60
9.9

Bright Horizons Guildford Day Nursery and Preschool has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.897) out of 10, based on 35 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Bright Horizons Guildford Day Nursery and Preschool has 65 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

There has been a lot of positive change over the last twelve months at the nursery. New resources, more staff and great communication. My two children love coming to the nursery and are so excited when they get there each morning. Our relationship with all the staff is great. They have been a great
support over the years, as our children have been learning and developing. We would highly recommend this nursery, especially if you work for the university. Its location and understanding of our working demands, is excellent.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is such a lovely nursery. Every single staff member has a caring, kind and professional manner.
We have been especially pleased and grateful for the extra help provided to my daughter for her additional needs. I am so pleased we picked Bright Horizons, Guildford!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I knew I would want my second child to attend this nursery as my first child had such a wonderful experience there so I didn’t seek out another nursery. My younger child has come along so much since starting this year and I can see such amazing progress in her already.
The staff are absolutely invaluable
and provide her with the best care I could ask for. Her care and learning environment are of utmost importance to me and this is clearly reflected in the positive journey she is now on. The staff are continually providing interesting and well thought out learning opportunities and are giving my daughter all the emotional care she requires too. I really look forward to seeing her next steps and am very appreciative of the nursery and can’t thank the Discoverers team enough.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5

The nursery suits a certain personality of child. Some children thrive and others don't. If your child is not thriving in the environment move them as trying to get changes in place in this nursery is like banging your head against a brick wall. The staff are friendly and kind but not open to feedback
about how things aren't working. Every day you will be told that your child has had a lovely day, every day (and I say this with seven years of using this nursery). My middle child didn't suit the environment and has thrived in school. He is not the only one in his cohort to suddenly become happy, chatty and willing to go into their childcare setting (school in this case). The mum guilt for leaving him somewhere he was unhappy is large. However, my eldest and youngest have been very happy there. It really suits some.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Bright Horizons at Guildford is one of the best childcare. They look after my both children in an excellent and most professional manner. They have supported my children's development and helped them to prepare for school. The manager of the nursery is so lovely, friendly, helpful and supportive. She
is truly an example of what a manager of a social service should look like. I would say that she is a big asset for the nursery.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been attending Guildford Bright Horizons for the past year and a bit. He absolutely loves it! In the morning he can't wait to get through the door and doesn't even look back, whilst in the evenings he takes his sweet time coming out, saying goodbye to the (real) rabbit and to the (not real)
owl next to the door. I can tell the staff really cares for him, and the few hiccups we have had have been dealt with very professionally and compassionately. I feel very lucky that we have access to such a great nursery.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child has attended since they were 10-months-old, starting in the baby room. They are now nearly 3 and getting ready to move up to pre-school. They really love the nursery and have bonded well with their keyworkers. They know not only the other room staff well but also the other support staff (chef
and housekeeping) which I think goes a long way to show the kind of culture at the nursery. One of the things that most grabbed me when we booked our original tour was that the children not only knew the nursery manager but were delighted to see her and clearly spent time with her.
They are all about the children and their development and finding fun ways to support their learning through play. They have recently developed their own curriculum which I have been quite impressed with.
The environment and the feeling at the nursery is made by the staff who work there, they clearly care about the children and enjoy what they do and I couldn't ask for more than that.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter joined the nursery since 2017, the care and love that she has received all the time is invaluable.
I have seen the progress and support during her baby and toddler stages and it is very reassuring that my daughter goes in every morning with a smile on her face, the certainty that at the
end of the day she is as happy.
During the years she had the opportunity to meet her little friends and there is a very nice familiar feeling when you interact with the teachers, parents and children.
Thanks to all the team for their valued support and the care for our children.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Our daughter is very happy and settled at the nursery. The team work hard to teach and let her explore. Our monthly updates are great to read and understand what she is doing each week. The nursery work on specific areas our daughter requires and tailor her care to her and we feel very comfortable letting
the nursery work with her on what she enjoys. Overall very happy and would definitely recommend.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has had a fantastic time at Bright Horizons Guildford Day Nursery and Preschool from day one. Every staff member has been welcoming and supportive. They make it a fun and happy environment, reflected in how excited our daughter is about being there. They have done a fantastic job managing
the Covid-19 situation and when we decided to keep our daughter at home for a while longer after the nursery reopened, they were understanding and even continued to provide us with resources and updates to help with home activities until she returned. I have only positives to say about this nursery and would highly recommend it.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has attended this setting since she was ten months old, she is currently four and is beginning her preparations to leave for school this September. The nursery staff are excellent it tracking her progress and updating me with four monthly reviews, letting me know whether her development
is on track or whether she needs extra support in areas. I am always greeted with a warm smile at the beginning and end of each day and feel safe and secure knowing my child is having the best time whilst I have to work. For any potential parents reading this I highly recommend this nursery and their management and staffing team to provide the best care possible for your child. Thank you Bright Horizons Guildford!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I had heard mixed reviews about the nursery but I’m very glad we went with them. My son has been there for over 6 months now and despite starting during Covid with the more challenging drop off at the door policy, he settled in really quickly and loves his time there.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Nursery Carers are very friendly, approachable and caring, they go the extra mile to support your child’s development.
My son is always very excited to attend his nursery sessions, as a mother it’s reassuring to know your child is happy and settled at nursery.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I can't recommend this nursery highly enough. My son joined the nursery after the first lockdown where he pretty much only saw his mum and dad for 5-months. I was really anxious about how he would settle in and if it would all be too overwhelming being around so many new people. He settled in far better
and quicker than I was expecting, and I do believe it's down to the amazing staff at the nursery who are all so warm, kind and bubbly. My son absolutely loves it there, he now runs in without even turning around to wave goodbye to me! The staff are great at keeping me informed about his day and what he got up to. It's a big decision leaving your child in the care of someone else, and I am so grateful that when I leave him there I go away and don't have to worry about a thing as I know he's in such great hands.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are long term users of the nursery having joined in 2017. During this time we have been extremely impressed with the care and support of all the staff and feel very happy leaving our child there. They were so excited to be back after lockdown that they now run to the nursery and have to be encouraged
to go home at the end of the day (and they are there full time)!
The management team provide a happy and safe environment which is further supported by all of the staff members. We will be very upset when the time comes to leave but feel reassured that the team have supported and nurtured our child to develop them into a well rounded and caring individual who knows how to interact well with others.
The management team and many of the staff have been at the nursery for a number of years, which suggests that the team work well together and seem to enjoy coming to work! The Uni-provided building needs some TLC, but this does not detract from the caring experience.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

We love the nursery and staff. They have plenty of educational tools (it is hard to judge now, however, not being able to access nursery).
The negatives are:
A small outdoor area which affects how many times and how long children can be outdoors.
After the lockdown the food menu became rather plain
and poor, especially when it comes to the afternoon meals and snacks, it is never-ending crumpets and crackers. This nursery was known for its great meals in the past and they have an amazing chef on-site and possibility to cook there. Not sure why something that was great had to be changed.

Reply from Katherine O'Brien, Online Marketing at Bright Horizons Guildford Day Nursery and Preschool

Thank you for taking the time to submit a review for the nursery. It is great to see you love the nursery. With regards to your concerns on the menu, I will ensure this is fed back to the Nursery Manager to consider and discuss your concerns with you further.
Many Thanks


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been at this nursery since the age of 7 months (he's now 3) and we both love it! The management team are always bright, friendly and accommodating - they are also very understanding and quick to address and resolve any concerns that parents naturally have when leaving their children in the
care of a nursery. The care staff are all lovely, experienced and reassuring, working so hard for parents and children! The food is fantastic, a diverse menu on a rolling two-week basis, varied, nutritious and well-received. Safety is quite clear throughout the nursery, a code on the door and other safety policies regarding pickups, they are also doing an amazing job handling COVID restrictions. Staff turnover has also been addressed so both I and my son know most of the team which is really lovely and very reassuring! The nursery works hard to engage and involve parents and organise weekend trips too.
5 stars - a lovely place for children to be!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We love Bright Horizons Guildford! Our son was previously at another nursery that went downhill but we have been delighted since he started here. He is always happy, the staff are friendly and relaxed. The children learn to play nicely together and do a wide range of stimulating activities from science
week and cooking to messy play and games with nursery rhymes. Parent communications are great too. The newsletter is very informative and daily feedback is always good. We credit the Manager with the success as we visited under previous management and the atmosphere was nowhere near as friendly and welcoming. A great nursery!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Extremely happy with Bright Horizons Guildford Day Nursery and Preschool. The staff are very friendly caring. Full of fun and welcoming to both parents and children. My son is very happy and kept stimulated with great activities. Highly recommended and all love Raffles the rabbit :)

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Generally a good nursery. My son has been there since he was 10 months old and he is now in pre-school. The staff are what makes the place special. If my son had a different keyworker, we may well have looked for somewhere else for him. The food is excellent. I have been in for a few stay and play sessions,
but have not yet seen any structured learning, mostly they are left to an activity. I recognise learning through play is important too.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.897)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.897) out of 10 for Bright Horizons Guildford Day Nursery and Preschool is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 35 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 35 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 4.897 for Bright Horizons Guildford Day Nursery and Preschool is calculated as follows: ( (377 Excellents x 5) + (37 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 417 Ratings = 4.897

  • 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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Bright Horizons Guildford Day Nursery and Preschool is based on 35 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 42 number of registered child places is 8.4, which has been reached with 35 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • 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.

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

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Meet the Team (2)

Becka

Becka

Job Title: Nursery Manager

With over 18 years of experience in childcare, Becka began their career in 2000 after completing three years of study at Godalming College, earning a CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education and an NVQ Level 3.


Her career path includes six years at Active Learning Dorking and three wonderful years at Guildford University Nursery. For the past 12 years, she has been a dedicated member of the Bright Horizons team, initially starting as a Nursery Nurse in the baby room before being promoted to Baby Room Manager.


Driven by a passion for continuous learning, Becka pursued and completed a Foundation Degree in Early Years at Guildford College. This accomplishment paved the way for further growth, including promotions to Third in Charge, Deputy Manager, and eventually Nursery Manager at Starfish Nursery, Guildford in 2014.


Having always known they wanted to work with children, she continues to find joy in seeing children arrive with beaming smiles and witnessing their growth and learning each day.


Claudia

Claudia

Job Title: Deputy Manager

I have worked in Bright Horizons now for 4 years and I am really enjoying my role. I currently work part-time, as I care for my son who will be 1 next year. I am really creative and enjoy creating enabling environments for all of the children. In my spare time, I enjoy days out with my husband and son and spending time with my extended family.