Children 1st @ Toton

5 Banks Road, Toton, Nottingham NG9 6HE
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9.9 194 Reviews
  • Children 1st @ Toton, Nottingham
Children 1st @ Toton has been confirmed as ‘Good’ by Ofsted (March 2022). It is situated in Toton, with easy access from Long Eaton, Chilwell and Beeston, close to local bus routes. The nursery has been beautifully refurbished throughout; with bright, open areas for babies, toddlers, Early Years and out-of-school children, from 0 – 12 years.

The nursery is proudly part of Children 1st Day Nurseries which has been providing award-winning, family-run childcare since 1988. The company is listed in the Top 3 in the UK for Ofsted Outstanding results according to the Nursery World Nursery Chains Report 2021.

The friendly, enthusiastic staff are all fully trained and very experienced, and staff to children ratios are better than Ofsted recommendations, so you can be sure of the very best care for your child. They provide a fantastic nursery school environment, with the added experience that comes with a designated Early Years Practitioner, and also offer fully grant funded places for children aged 3 and 4 years.

Outside there is a fabulous garden designed to maximise the potential for outdoor play, with carefully chosen, age-specific equipment. Children are encouraged to choose their own activity with a huge variety of options both in and outside.

Staff would be delighted to show you and your child around and answer any questions you may have.

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Care Provided by Children 1st @ Toton

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Gina Ward, Laura Harrison & Katie Smeeton (Managers)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 39
  • Total Places for Children
  • 120
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • 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 & Christmas

Children 1st @ Toton Reviews (194)

Total of 194, showing 101-120
9.9

Children 1st @ Toton has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.928) out of 10, based on 58 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Children 1st @ Toton has 194 reviews.

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Review from Liam C (Father of Child) published on 28 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter loves her time at Children 1st @ Toton. We feel that she is cared for, nurtured and encouraged to progress through a range of activities every day. We love the daily diary entries, milestones and reviews that we receive. We have felt that our daughter has been safe and happy with all staff
and in all rooms in the nursery and would recommend Children 1st @ Toton to anyone.

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Review from D W (Father of Child) published on 28 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

From day one, the team have been great, supportive and helpful. My daughter enjoys every visit, and we love seeing updates. The facilities are great and keep her very active. After only a few weeks, we have noticed her improvement in confidence.

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Review from E W (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little boy has been coming to the nursery since October of last year and has loved every minute. The teachers, reception staff and catering team have been outstanding. Educationally, socially he has come on leaps and bounds and is becoming a very confident little man. All of which is a credit to
the hard work all the staff but in week after week. I feel they are a fine example of what other nurseries should aspire to be.

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Review from L L (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The fact our daughter reaches out to the nursery care team when we drop her off every day and has smiles when we collect her speaks volumes. We feel happy to put her into the care of people who are consistent, not only meeting but considering her needs and personal development. Thank you to all staff
in Puddle ducks and Bobtails!

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Review from P R (Father of Child) published on 28 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

First and foremost, our son is incredibly happy at nursery. I’ve found the communication to be fantastic and the staff to be so very caring. We receive clear and well defined development plans and we’re delighted to see these put into action. There’s always time made for parents at the end of the day
to discuss how things have gone during the course of the day. In addition we get photographs and detailed diaries.

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Review from P S (Father of Child) published on 27 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son really enjoys going to Children 1st in Toton! We get updates about his day and pictures to show what he's been up to. The staff are all friendly and know him and his moods very well. I know that when he finally leaves he will be a better person!

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Review from Jennifer S (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son used to attend here a few years ago and he loved it and I couldn’t of faulted them, just as much as I couldn’t now my daughter is currently here. She has been here since January 2021. She started when she was just 10 months old, everyone always compliments her on how advanced/clever she is and
I do believe nursery is a big part of that. She loves going and seems to really enjoy herself so much and doesn’t stop talking about her day when she comes home. Highly recommend.

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Review from S M (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A brilliant nursery, friendly staff, my child loves attending here and would happily go every day given the chance. She is always coming out with drawings, things she’s made and baked, which I particularly love as I keep everything. My daughter is always happy and full of beans when she’s been to nursery.
Really lovely place for a preschooler to go.

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Review from Wendy H (Mother of Child) published on 9 August 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little girl has attended this nursery since she was 5 months old (now 2 years, 9 months) and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. The transition from the baby unit to the main unit with Covid restrictions in force was fantastic and my little girl settled so well. All the staff that we have interacted
with, as my little girl has gone through the classes, have been amazing and provided me with confidence for her care and development. Would highly recommend. Amazing nursery!

Reply from Julie Wenn, Director of Quality Assurance at Children 1st @ Toton

Thank you for your kind feedback about our Toton nursery.


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Review from Kerry H (Mother of Child) published on 6 August 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has attended children 1st @ Toton since he was 1-years-old. He is now 4 and about to leave for school. He has absolutely thrived during his time at nursery. The facilities and staff are fabulous! Highly recommend Children 1st @ Toton.

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Review from Laura H (Mother of Child) published on 6 August 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Since my son joined the nursery everyone has been so welcoming and have gone above and beyond. During his settling in period, his keyworker quickly picked up on his interests and likes and involved this into the everyday activities, which helped him. We receive regular observations and have a wall full
of all his creations. Would definitely recommend.

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Review from M L (Mother of Child) published on 25 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I feel reassured knowing my child is in the hands of the staff at Children 1st Toton. Day one settling in was hard but as a mother, I was made to feel relaxed and everything was explained to me clearly. My child cried and it was hard to watch her go with the key worker. This is the key worker she now
kisses the picture of and waves goodbye to at the end of the day. All of the staff are very friendly, personable and excellent with my child. The e-log is such a great way to keep parents up to date and provide reassurance throughout the day. I really feel the staff care for the children. I was apprehensive sending my child to nursery in the times of Covid but PPE and procedures are in place which provides a professional and safe approach. My child has developed so much whilst attending Children 1st and I can’t thank them enough for the quality service they provide.

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Review from Lucy S (Mother of Child) published on 16 October 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son was due to start just as lockdown came into force (moving from another nursery). The whole communication process during the lockdown time was amazing to say he hadn’t even started yet. We went for our/his two settling in days and I felt totally at ease with all the extra and new policies in place
and was amazed at just how friendly and welcoming the nursery felt. He and us were made to feel very welcome straight away and he settled in so fast. I love that they log to see and know what’s happening whilst he is there and he always comes home happy and with something he has made. During difficult and stressful as well as unknown times we have been made to feel most welcomed and I would highly recommend the nursery to anyone.

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Review from Coral F (Mother of Child) published on 16 October 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I absolutely adore this nursery for our daughter. She enjoys it so much and settled in so quickly that I almost feel bad for taking her home afterwards! We love the updates and photos we get of what she's been up to. Her key worker and other staff always have time to talk and explain anything to us.
Our daughter does have a special diet and this has never been an issue.

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Review from Louise N (Mother of Child) published on 30 September 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot believe how easy it has been settling my little boy into this fabulous nursery. I was expecting the quality to be slightly reduced because of Covid-19 but the standards have been extremely high throughout. Every member of staff has been so friendly and welcoming right through from the management,
keyworkers and the cleaner. His keyworker has been incredible. My little boy adores her and it makes me much happier leaving him when I see how happy he is to see her. We're so happy we chose Children 1st.

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Review from Samantha P (Mother of Child) published on 20 March 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter adores Children First, Toton and it is obvious why. The setting is engaging whilst clean and well-maintained. All staff are warm and friendly with wonderful relationships with the children. I am in no doubt that the care they provide is outstanding. There are a wide variety of activities
that the children are encouraged to engage with whilst offering the freedom for play with a wide range of quality toys. There is a clear focus on development delivered in a very supportive and positive manner.

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Review from Lauren H (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter is 16 months old and has attended Children 1st for the past 5 months. After researching nurseries in the area and visiting 3 I was beginning to lose hope as all of them were a very low standard and not somewhere I would feel comfortable leaving our daughter at all day. My friend then recommended
Children 1st where her daughter attended and I visited the same day and knew it was for us. I was blown away with the organisation, structure and cleanliness of both buildings. The staff are nothing but loving and encouraging towards the children and are just genuinely nice people. Going back to work and leaving your child is traumatic but I’m so glad I got my daughter into this nursery as she smiles as soon as we pull into the car park. As a working mum, you can’t ask for much more than that. Not only does she enjoy it she has come on so much in speech and development. I sing the praises to all my friends and family for how wonderful this organisation is.

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Review from Rebecca K (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

After being recommended by friends I booked to view the nursery and was given a fantastic tour of all the facilities, my daughter being my first child I was very nervous to leave her in the care of anyone as she was only 9 months and had never really been without me but the women at this nursery have
been nothing but wonderful. My daughter loves going to nursery and I am more than satisfied she is very well cared for! The diary and the app are a fantastic addition, it’s so wonderful to see her enjoying her time at nursery and a big weight off my mind when I’m at work to know she is happy and well cared for. Would and have recommended this nursery to friends and family.

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Review from Emma (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Really pleased that we chose Children 1st @ Toton for our son. The staff are amazing with the children. I completely trust that he is safe with them. He seems to love going and doesn't always want to come home in the evening so I'm pretty sure he enjoys his time there. Great communication between staff
and parents.

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Review from Charlotte (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My one-year-old has been coming here for five months and I feel very happy with how she is looked after. It's made going back to work full time after maternity leave so much easier knowing how happy my daughter is.
Here are a couple of things that make it so fab in addition to their general brilliant
care;
They show love and care for the children and give you little updates at the end of the about the lovely things they've done.
They upload photos onto a parent app (linked to how she's met her next step in whatever skill they're focusing on with her)
The food is nutritious and all sounds delicious, three meals a day plus desserts and snacks. Huge help and reassurance.
You get to know the staff really well and they listen to what you say and follow routines you request.
They're brilliant if the little ones aren't feeling great or are sad, lots of cuddles given and time spent with them.
Honestly am so happy with Children 1st Toton and would recommend it (as it was to me!)

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.928)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.928) out of 10 for Children 1st @ Toton 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 58 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 58 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 4.928 for Children 1st @ Toton is calculated as follows: ( (647 Excellents x 5) + (44 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 694 Ratings = 4.928

  • 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 Children 1st @ Toton is based on 58 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 120 number of registered child places is 24, which has been reached with 58 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.

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (8)

Top 20 Large Nursery Groups 2023

Recipient: Storal

Date: Friday 28 Apr 2023 More details

Top 20 Large Nursery Groups 2022

Recipient: Storal

Date: Friday 29 Apr 2022 More details

Top 20 Nurseries East Midlands 2021

Recipient: Children 1st @ Toton

Date: Friday 28 May 2021 More details

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Meet the Team (1)

Gina

Gina Ward

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 1995

I joined Children 1st in 1995 working as a Trainee, Children 1st offered me the opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge on my first step of the ladder to gain my qualification of NVQ Level 3.


I have continued to be supported with my continuous professional development and have since achieved my Level 4 in Childcare and Education and my Assessor Award which has enabled me to support and mentor other professionals and learners whilst working at Children 1st.


I have worked in several other Children 1st Nurseries and have been set many challenges and given many opportunities to develop myself, constantly learning new things along the way.


I enjoy my work and take pride in being involved in children’s lives and see their development. I enjoy working alongside my team and the families to ensure that the children in my care receive the best possible start.


Through my roles as Nursery Manager, I have worked with diverse cultures and families with different needs and expectations, this has given me the tools to enable me to meet their different needs and make a real difference to children's lives, one of my passions is to be able to offer high quality childcare for all children regardless of their status.


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