Arnhall Nursery

Gardens Cottages, Keir Estate, Dunblane FK15 9NU
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10 145 Reviews
  • Arnhall Nursery, Dunblane
Arnhall Nursery is run from a large stone built property with unique features such as a turret. The main building set over 2 floors caters for babies up to 3 years old. They have a separate building in the garden which caters for their 2.5 to 5-year-olds. They also have their own outside class room and log cabin. The nursery has a large and completely enclosed garden and its very own forest schools on its doorstep.

Arnhall Nursery is a private day nursery that delivers high-quality childcare which is created by working with parents to understand the individual needs of each child.

The nursery is set in beautiful surroundings on the Keir Estate, ideally located just off the M9, it has a safe and secure garden where children can play and learn about the outside world.

Children are encouraged to learn through play and nursery staff use fun and engaging activities to boost the children’s confidence.

The children take regular walks on the country estate, forest school sessions and extra-curriculum activities such as Jo Jingles and Enjoy A Ball are on offer.

All meals are included and the nursery offers healthy and nutritional breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, home-cooked by an in-house chef.

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Care Provided by Arnhall Nursery

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Norma McFarlane (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 36
  • Total Places for Children
  • 107
  • 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
  • Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Arnhall Nursery

  • Please contact us for a copy of our current fees or for any information on funding.

Arnhall Nursery Reviews (145)

Total of 145, showing 121-140
10

Arnhall Nursery has a Review Score of 10 (9.969) out of 10, based on 38 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Arnhall Nursery has 145 reviews.

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Review from Sarah R (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Arnhall Day Nursery (Dunblane) is beautiful set within forestry and fields where the children have access to a variety of outdoor learning experiences through forest walks and adventures, as well as a very spacious garden where they have access to a variety of large equipment and toys to use. This is
an aspect of learning I feel very strongly about as my child loves the outdoors and even at a young age they encourage sensory play and physical exercise which is very important.
The level of care and the safe environment provided by the staff within the nursery is fantastic, I feel confident in leaving my child here every day as I know she enjoyed her experiences and opportunities, I love that I can see this through the use of the online journals, which are updated weekly by the staff which care for her.

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Review from Simon K (Father of Child) published on 22 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has come on so much since joining, we love hearing her reviews of each day's adventures. Always amazed at the patience of the nursery teachers and the individual attention they manage to give each child. We consider ourselves to be so lucky that we managed to find our daughter a place at
Arnhall.

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Review from Erica B (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Everything at Arnhall is perfect and I wouldn't send my daughter anywhere else. It was the first choice for us and have never been disappointed with any aspect of the service or care we have received.
The facilities, staff and education is of the highest standards, along with meals as well.

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Review from Veronica D (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We love the nursery. My little one has been there from 9 months old.
We were both helped with settling in and the ladies are very helpful and friendly. The outdoor space they have is well designed and the food they provide the children is varied and also very good.
Would recommend to anyone.

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Review from Janine M (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son loves attending Arnhall nursery. I feel that the standards are set high. The staff are very friendly and helpful. My son is always participating in fun and creative activities and playing outdoors while attending nursery.
I would recommend Arnhall to any one of my friends who have young children.

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Review from Helen C (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Arnhall is a fantastic nursery. The staff are so friendly and welcoming. My son loves going to nursery and loves all the cuddles he gets! I'm so pleased he gets to go outside so much, every day they are out for forest walks or playing in the garden. The staff work so hard to provide a variety of activities
for the children, just last week the firemen came for a visit and the children got to sit in the fire engine.
The food provided is also fantastic and varied, all home cooked too.

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Review from Gillian V (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My two and a half-year-old daughter has been at Arnhall since she was ten months old and she is so happy there. The staff are friendly and caring, they provide a wide variety of activities that are stimulating and fun, they get out in the fresh air and do plenty of exercise.
They provide a healthy
and tasty meal and snacks. Children are moved through the rooms at their own pace meaning that each individual is provided with an experience appropriate to their stage of development and personality. I feel that Arnhall has been key in driving my daughter's development and social skills. I love knowing that this is happening in a safe environment in which her emotional needs are also met.

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Review from Ben S (Father of Child) published on 21 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have two children at Arnhall. They have been looked after very well from day one. Our boys have several food allergies and the staff have been extremely helpful in preparing and suggesting food for them to eat. The range of activities and learning that goes on is amazing. We are always surprised
at how many new things they come home telling us about and the things they have been studying.

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Review from Ben T (Father of Child) published on 21 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Have always found Arnhall Nursery to be a great fun learning environment for our son. The people at the nursery are always very helpful and friendly at all times. The main thing for me is that he always enjoys his days there and comes back having done something we wouldn't generally do at home, such
as playing with sand or arts and crafts.

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Review from K C (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been attending Arnhall for 4 months. He settled in very quickly and has a great time at nursery.
His huge smiles at both the start and end of the day show what a good time he is having.
The staff have been so helpful and really get to know the children.
They do a fantastic variety of imaginative
activities. It's a lively setting and I love that they are out for walks enjoying the outdoors regularly.

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Review from H C (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The nursery is just fab, this is my second child attending. The girls are all extremely caring and give plenty of cuddles to the children when needed. They have a wide range of activities and loads of time is spent outdoors in the lovely surroundings. My son loves it here.
The food is all lovely
and cooked on site too which is a big bonus.

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Review from Lorna H (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been attending Arnhall for 3 years now and I have only experienced quality care and superb facilities.
The outdoor facilities are great and the children are taken outdoors daily for playing/walks and forest school trips.

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Review from Erica G (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter is thriving at this nursery and the staff have gone out of their way to do everything they can to help her to settle and develop. There is excellent communication daily between staff and parents.
The facilities and outdoor space are brilliant, my daughter loves playing in the woods on
the doorstep of the nursery and we feel that she is very well looked after by staff, who really care about all of the children at the nursery. I would recommend this nursery to anyone.

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Review from Jane (Mother of Child) published on 6 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Brilliant nursery! My child loves the staff, activities and environment. He looks forward to attending. Lovely mix of indoor and outdoor play and due to careful day management he's never exhausted, even if he has a long day. Beautiful food as well!!!

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Review from Rebecca P (Mother of Child) published on 18 January 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at this nursery are exceptional. Since day one, they have taken the time to get to know my son and to incorporate things he likes into the day. When he has been less confident, they have been really creative to make him feel more comfortable and relaxed (like tucking his comfort teddy into
his jacket for walks outside). My son gets to go outside no matter the weather and always seems to do different activities each time. But in comparison to his previous nursery, this is so much better as I can see he is getting a better quality of care. I'm so pleased this nursery was recommended to me.

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Review from Megan I (Mother of Child) published on 6 November 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Fantastic nursery in a great location with brilliant staff. I have a girl (now at school) who attended Arnhall Nursery since she was 9 months and my wee boy currently attends and really enjoys it. It is in a great location and the kids get outdoors most days. There is a specific room for the age 4-5
group which is great for focusing on their preparation for school. They retain their staff who are friendly, caring and very approachable. Overall a great place for your kids to go.

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Review from Aileen B (Mother of Child) published on 17 June 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent nursery. Staff are caring, approachable and respond to the individual needs of my children. The online learning journals are updated regularly, keeping me informed of my children's progress and show a wide range of learning opportunities. The nursery provides a very high standard of outdoor
learning.

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Review from Gordon (Father of Child) published on 2 February 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Arnhall is a well run nursery in a convenient location. Staff are friendly and professional at all times and their interest and enthusiasm in the children under their care is evident in the reports provided at the end of the day. The setting allows our child regular opportunities to be outdoors and
play in a healthy, safe learning environment. We feel fortunate to have found this nursery.

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Review from Susan M (Mother of Child) published on 2 February 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Award winning nursery in an inspiring location offering indoor and outdoor learning with Forest Kindergarten. Genuine parental and child engagement with developing the nursery activities to develop young minds. Nursery staff and children have big hearts with regular citizenship projects in the community.

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Review from Ellen M (Mother of Child) published on 2 February 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Arnhall is a fantastic nursery. My son has been at the nursery since he was five month old. The staff are lovely and are very supportive. The staff will make sure that the children get as much fresh air as possible and my son is always talking about what he finds and sees on his walks. He of course
has his favourites but you would find it very difficult to find someone you didn't like in this nursery. The food menu is varied and so yummy that second helpings are never refused as evidenced from my sons report card! I would really recommend this nursery to anyone.

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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.969)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.969) out of 10 for Arnhall Nursery 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 38 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 38 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 4.969 for Arnhall Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (441 Excellents x 5) + (14 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 455 Ratings = 4.969

  • 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 Arnhall Nursery is based on 38 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 107 number of registered child places is 21.4, which has been reached with 38 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 (39)

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Meet the Team (6)

Norma

Norma McFarlane

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2003

Norma started at Arnhall Nursery in 2003 as a Room Supervisor. In July 2011 Norma was promoted to Nursery Manager and since this time has successfully developed into the role. Norma holds her HNC, SVQ4 and a BA in Childhood Practice. Norma is currently working towards her Froebel Practice. In her spare time Norma enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walking her dog and cycling.


Amanda

Amanda MacDonald

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2011

Amanda has worked at Arnhall for over 10 years. She holds her SVQ Level 3 in Early Years Education and Childcare, her PDA8 and is currently working towards her Froebel Practice. Amanda enjoys meeting up with family and friends and also walks with her dog.


Caroline

Caroline O'Neil

Job Title: Bumblebee Room Manager

Joined: 2021

Caroline is a Level 9 SCQF Qualified and is the Room Manager of the Bumblebee Room. Caroline joined Arnhall Nursery in 2021. Caroline is also trained in Paediatric first aid enjoys spending time with her two boys and her dog Theo.


Julie

Julie Dick

Job Title: Ladybird Room Manager

Joined: 1995

Julie is the Room Manager for the Ladybird Room and has worked at Arnhall for 25 years. She holds her SVQ Level 3 in Early Education and Childcare. In her spare time, Julie enjoys running and going away in her campervan with her partner.


Dawn

Dawn Dickson

Job Title: Grasshopper Room Manager

Joined: 2017

Dawn is the Room Manager for the Grasshopper room. She holds her HNC in Early Education and Childcare and has worked at Arnhall since 2017. In her spare time, Dawn enjoys reading, going for walks and spending time with her little girl.


Jayde

Jayde Hallam

Job Title: Dragonfly Room Manager

Joined: 2018

Jayde is the Room Manager for the Dragonfly Room and has worked at Arnhall since 2018. She holds her SVQ Level 3 in Early Years Education and Childcare. In her spare time, Jayde enjoys being outdoors, going to the gym and socialising.


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