Archway Nursery School

Hyde Farm, Salisbury Road, Pimperne, Blandford Forum DT11 8TX
Submit a Review
8.6 39 Reviews
  • Archway Nursery School, Blandford Forum
Archway Nursery School, located very near to Blandford Forum, provides safe and professional childcare, within an environment where children can feel inspired to pick up new skills and interests.

The nursery has an excellent standing in the community and has been established for over 20 years. The nursery provides high-quality care and education for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.

Its mission is to deliver the highest standards of childcare and early years education, while always striving for continuous improvement. Staff believe a child’s early years are the most critical for developing the foundations of learning, behaviour and emotional well being, which all influence later outcomes in school, work and society.

Show Archway Nursery School on the Map

Care Provided by Archway Nursery School

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Hannah Miles (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 22
  • Total Places for Children
  • 77
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 2 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:45-18:00
    Tuesday 07:45-18:00
    Wednesday 07:45-18:00
    Thursday 07:45-18:00
    Friday 07:45-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Archway Nursery School

  • Full day (7:45am to 6:00pm) from £71

  • Fees are all inclusive. This means nappies, formula milk, meals and snacks are all included in the fee

Archway Nursery School Reviews (39)

Total of 39, showing 21-39
8.6

Archway Nursery School has a Review Score of 8.6 (8.614) out of 10, based on 4 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Archway Nursery School has 39 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 37
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Date Published

39
3
4
4
35

Review from Natalie S (Mother of Child) published on 17 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been going to Archway for nearly a year now and has been in two classes since she started. She has enjoyed being in both classes and the staff have been great, supportive and caring. This made the transition between the rooms so much easier.
We know that every day she's having fun
doing varied activities and learning lots. The environment is helping her thrive, especially in communication. The food is excellent and varied with lots of new food.
The staff have been excellent in supporting her with her eye problems which has helped with rapid progress in her eye.
The app is a great way to see updates from the nursery. Would definitely recommend the nursery to other prospective parents.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Amy C (Mother of Child) published on 17 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I love Archway! My little boy has been attending the nursery since he was 8 months old, he’s in the preschool room now and starting school in September. We’re going to be sad to leave. Archway gave me the confidence to leave him and know he was being so well cared for, every day I picked him up with
a smile and now he chats away telling me all about his day and the fun activities he’s done with his friends. Every room he went into was fantastic, we have both built bonds with the staff who are always so welcoming and kind. Nothing is ever too much to ask from the team at Archway.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Linzi W (Mother of Child) published on 29 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We were new to the nursery and supposed to settle the week that lockdown happened. Instead, the manager and the team kept in touch throughout the whole of lockdown, and we settled the children in during the 3rd week of July. The staff have been brilliant in terms of understanding the children through
phone calls before them starting, communicating through the log and chatting at the door before the children go in and prior to going home. I have felt comfortable to be able to call up and ask how the children are getting on, and the children have been settled and happy. Overall, a great 'new nursery' experience for us.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from N D (Mother of Child) published on 29 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Lovely nursery and friendly staff. Staff will comfort my daughter when needed, as she is a little shy, but has developed a bond with a couple of staff.
Staff will keep us updated on progress. We really enjoy seeing our daughters pictures and other things she makes at nursery.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Amy G (Mother of Child) published on 20 April 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little boy has been going to Archway full time since October 2018 and he loves it. The staff are very friendly and easy to talk to. The meals are fantastic as my little boys eats better there than he does at home. He has a productive day every day. The management staff are also very helpful and
friendly.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from L G R (Mother of Child) published on 20 April 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A fantastic nursery that has supported both of my children from 1 year of age.
Not only do my children love going here (a big relief as a working family) the staff are also excellent with supporting us as a family and they make us very much feel part of their family.
They have also been incredible
considering everything currently going on with COVID-19.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Beth W (Mother of Child) published on 28 September 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my children have attended Archway Nursery since they were one and 9 months respectively. Throughout this time, I have been made to feel welcome and able to contact the nursery at any time with any queries or concerns I may have, the management and staff are approachable, professional, caring and
knowledgeable and have always been friendly and visible and are happy to talk to you at any time. Both my children love attending Archway Nursery and have moved through all the classes with my daughter. I could not fault the care and attention they provide for the children. Each and every class provides a suitable learning experience for the children to grow and shine and the staff are all skilled with working with a huge range of different ages and abilities. I have recommended Archway to many friends who also feel the same and I could not have hoped for a better nursery to look after my children. Thank you to the whole team you are all superstars, Archway is a fantastic nursery.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Victoria A (Mother of Child) published on 17 September 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent nursery with caring and friendly staff. Our little girl attends this nursery full time (50 hours a week) and she loves every minute. She started at 6 months old and is now 1. She has developed so much and a lot of that is down to the nursery staff.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Sybille M (Mother of Child) published on 17 September 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Brilliant nursery with excellent, friendly and welcoming staff who always go out their way. My older son used to go there and now my daughter and they both love it. Safe and stimulating environment.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Melanie N (Mother of Child) published on 17 September 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

When choosing a nursery for my little boy, plenty of other parents told me how great Archway was so we visited and liked it straight away. The staff are all so lovely and I'm very confident in leaving him there. This made going back to work a lot less stressful knowing he was happy and content there.
They do plenty of activities during the day including messy play and outdoor play. (you wouldn't catch me playing with cornflower and water with one child let alone half a dozen!)


The food provided is decent, home style, wholesome meals. My little boy wolfs it down apparently!


A lovely nursery to have found!


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Rosie M (Mother of Child) published on 17 September 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of my daughters are currently at the Archway and have been since they were 6 months old (our eldest is now 4). We feel we are extremely lucky that have such an excellent nursery close to us. The staff are very welcoming and it has a lovely family feel. They encourage learning through play and creative
activities, and it has been great to see our daughters developing during their time at the nursery. We have now had experience of every age room in the nursery and the level of care is second to none.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Becky B (Mother of Child) published on 13 September 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Archway Nursery has been amazing for my child, the staff are always so friendly and make time to tell me about my child’s day.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Kelly (Mother of Child) published on 7 September 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I absolutely love archways and so does my little one! I look around all the nurseries in the area and found this one to be the best! The staff are all lovely, they do lots of activities with them and the site Is brilliant. My little girl runs in to nursery every session! Overall it has a warm, homely
feel that excites and helps develop children. There is nowhere else I would send my child!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Amanda D (Mother of Child) published on 5 September 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both myself and my daughter have loved our journey at Archway, which started when she was 18 months old and ended this month with her starting school. All the staff are incredibly kind and caring towards my daughter and very understanding, helpful and patience with my needs as a working mother, nothing
was ever too much trouble for the office staff be it adding or changing days or calling to check how my daughter was getting on. My little girl always came out with a big smile on her face after having a fun day of learning and playing. Lunch and snacks were always enjoyed by my daughter. I could go on and on about the lovely garden, how much my daughter learnt and developed but basically, we can not thank Archway enough for their care and love

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Bev (Mother of Child) published on 4 September 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

A friendly nursery that is seeking to continually improve. Staff are welcoming and my son really enjoys attending.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Lyndzey (Mother of Child) published on 4 September 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been attending Archway Nursery since he was 6 months old, the staff are fantastic with him and even those not in his room know his name. They offer a variety of activities that keep him engaged and his development in the last 7 months of attendance has been fantastic. I love that he gets
loads of time outside and that they often take the little ones out for walks (non walkers in buggies of course) to see the animals on the local farm. I am kept informed of my sons development and every staff member he has contact with is able to engage with him. Archway Nursery has also been amazing with catering for his multiple allergies and managing his eczema.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from James R (Father of Child) published on 6 February 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been attending this setting since he was 9 months old and is now 4! All of the girls are so welcoming and I know that my son is being cared for well at all times. All of the staff go above and beyond to make sure it is so easy to leave my child and I am always well informed on his day and
what he’s been up to - I couldn’t ask for anything more from a childcare provider! Thank you very much!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Chrissy (Mother of Child) published on 2 February 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am very pleased that I picked this nursery for my son. The staff have been amazing looking after him. He is very happy here and enjoys his time here.
It is always lovely taking to the staff and hearing about his day.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Hannah L (Mother of Child) published on 2 February 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have two daughters that go to the Archway. My eldest has gone all the way through from the turtle room to pre-school where she is now and she has had so much fun and always been so happy at nursery. There was no question we wanted our youngest to join when she turned 1, she has only been going for
a month but is already completely settled and enjoying herself. The staff are fantastic, really caring and they strike an excellent balance between nurturing and instilling some gentle discipline into the children. My children have never failed to form close attachments to all the nursery staff who look after them which is so important and comforting to know when you’re leaving your children for the day. Our eldest has learnt so much and taken part in so many fun activities the whole experience has without a doubt contributed considerably to her development. I feel very lucky that my children can attend such a lovely caring and homely nursery.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Current Review Score: 8.6 (8.614)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.6 (8.614) out of 10 for Archway Nursery School is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 4 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.6 out of 5 from 4 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 4.979 for Archway Nursery School is calculated as follows: ( (47 Excellents x 5) + (1 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 48 Ratings = 4.979

  • 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 3.635 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Archway Nursery School is based on 4 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 = 3.375

    • 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 77 number of registered child places is 15.4. 4 Positive Reviews ÷ 15.4 = 0.26

  • 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

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (4)

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading events

Meet the Team (1)

No image found

Hannah Miles

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2024

A warm welcome to Archway Nursery School in Blandford Forum.
With our beautiful farmhouse setting in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Archway is a nursery rooted in the countryside and all that it has to offer. Children benefit every day from our special location, particularly through our large outdoor area which encourages creativity, exploratory play and independent discoveries.


Archway is very much part of the local community, having provided quality nursery education to local children for the past twenty years. Our experienced and highly trained staff know that all children are different and take time to listen, observe them and respond to them individually. Children love learning at Archway, becoming curious and independent thinkers at their own pace and in their own time.


We’d love you and your family to experience the magic of Archway, so come and say hello and see for yourself our special blend of individualised learning and purposeful play.


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