Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Ramoyle, Dunblane FK15 0BD
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9.9 78 Reviews
Delighted to have been awarded NMT Nursery Group Award 2018.

Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is situated in the beautiful town of Dunblane, with its calm and peaceful community. There are easy links to the motorway network, excellent parking for safe and easy drop off and collection and they are just a short walk to the local train station. The nursery is very much a part of the local community making links with Dunblane, Newton and St. Mary Primary Schools, Dunblane High and Queen Victoria High and providing both nursery and out of school care services.

Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is based across two buildings, a large two storey sandstone villa and a new build single storey property each with direct access to the outdoor play areas. Each building is divided into specially designed play rooms, beautifully furnished and equipped with a plentiful range of quality resources. They have three secure individual fun gardens for each stage of a child’s development to improve the educational experience they provide, giving the opportunity to explore and investigate a wide range of materials and enjoy physical play in a safe and fun environment.

The two buildings are surrounded by a highly engaging and challenging garden area. The garden design was created through consultation with children, parents and staff to encompass a community project and a sense of place for all to enjoy. When parents come to visit, they will find a haven for children to have fun whilst learning. The under footing will compromise of a mixture of turf, wood chip and stone, the various materials chosen to promote the development of child core stability, which in turn develops the balance from within the inner ear. These materials were also chosen for children to work with as a loose part, enhancing the children’s learning experiences as they pick and choose what materials to work with.
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Care Provided by Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Linda Boon (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 14
  • Total Places for Children
  • 62
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 0 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Christmas & New Year

Funding & Fees Guide for Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

  • Contact us to learn more about our competitive fee structure. Funded spaces available.


  • Parking
  • The nursery has its very own car park at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten, which you are more than welcome to use when visiting us. Ideal for drop offs and pick ups for you and your family too!


Dunblane Nature Kindergarten Reviews (78)

Total of 78, showing 1-20
9.9

Dunblane Nature Kindergarten has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.930) out of 10, based on 32 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Dunblane Nature Kindergarten has 78 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little girl started at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten last month and it has been fantastic so far! The settling in process was brilliant, it gave us the flexibility and confidence we needed and she settled in easily. The staff are all excellent, with great food and indoor and outdoor activities for
the children too. Our little girl loves her nursery days and we're already noticing her development has really come on since starting at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten. Very happy with our choice of nursery!

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! Were delighted to hear that your little girl is settling in so well and enjoying her time at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten. Its fantastic to know that the settling in process helped make the transition smooth for your family, and were so pleased you feel confident and supported. Our team works hard to create a nurturing and engaging environment both indoors and outside its lovely to hear that her development is already shining through. We're so happy to be part of her early learning journey!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been in the Sunbeam room since October 24. Initially I was very nervous about leaving him at nursery 4 days a week to return to work. All the staff made the transition much easier, through brilliant communication and showing such care and understanding to both me and my son especially in
the first few weeks when drop offs were a bit difficult for us both.
He now absolutely loves going to nursery trotting in on his own with a big smile and waving bye bye. I have noticed his development come on leaps and bounds with eating independently, speech, walking etc. The staff are great at keeping me informed as to what they've been up to, eaten, slept everyday. I am so happy I chose this nursery as it has made going back to work much easier knowing my child is having a nice time and is in an environment that he is thriving in.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. We understand how emotional and challenging that transition back to work can be, and we're so glad to hear that our team in the Sunbeam room could help make it a little easier for both you and your son. It's lovely to hear how much he's enjoying his time with us now. Trotting in with a smile is exactly what we love to see! Watching his development blossom is a joy for us, too, and we're thrilled that you're seeing it at home. Thank you for trusting us to care for him. We're so happy to be part of his journey!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We were new to Dunblane Nature Kindergarten as of 2025. The three Nursery Practitioners have been fantastic in helping my little boy and I with settling in. He has only been on full days for 3 weeks but I am already seeing his confidence grow. Excellent staff, healthy food and lots of play and learning
both in and outdoors.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you so much for your kind words! Were delighted to hear that your little boy is settling in well and growing in confidence. Our Nursery Practitioners are dedicated to creating a nurturing and supportive environment, so its lovely to know their efforts are making a difference. We truly appreciate your feedback and look forward to seeing your child continue to thrive with us at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am incredibly grateful for the wonderful care and attention my child receives at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten. From our first initial visit it was clear that the staff is passionate about nurturing and educating the children. The environment is warm, welcoming, and safe, with a variety of activities
that keep my child engaged and excited to learn each day. The staff are incredibly caring, always taking the time to provide attention to each child's needs. I appreciate how they maintain open communication with parents, keeping us informed about our child's progress and any special moments. I highly recommend this nursery to any parent looking for a nurturing and enriching environment for their little ones.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you so much for your heartfelt review! It truly means the world to us to hear how much you value the care and dedication of our team. We are passionate about creating a warm, engaging, and enriching environment where every child feels safe, supported, and excited to learn. Open communication with parents is so important to us, and were delighted to know you appreciate it. We look forward to continuing to support your little one on their journey of growth and discovery at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Child has been going to Dunblane Nature Nursery for nearly a year and has had a great time during their time with them. Staff are always receptive and helped resolve an issue where my child was missing their friends as they aged out of the younger groups, so let him head up earlier, which has been great
for his development. Play environments are also full of fun and they have a great exposure to play and activities outside the room which is fun to see. The amount of information we get from them is also useful, and help with dietary problems has helped. Did have some issues with communication earlier on and access to systems, but all gets resolved in good time.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you for your lovely review and for sharing your experience! Were so glad to hear that your child has had a great time with us and that the transition to the older group has been beneficial for their development. Our team is always happy to support each child's individual needs, and its wonderful to know that the play environments, outdoor activities, and dietary support have made a positive impact. We appreciate your feedback on communication and system access and are always working to improve our processes. Thank you for your trust in us we love being part of your child's journey!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son joined the nursery aged 1 in August 2024. He struggled with separation anxiety but the staff made loads of extra effort to help him settle. Now he absolutely loves nursery and toddles in barely noticing we're leaving. The leaders in the sunbeam room are always doing extra activities and changing
the room to make sure it feels new and fun. I am so happy with our choice to send our son to DNK.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear how well your son has settled in and that he enjoys his time at DNK. Helping children to feel safe, happy, and engaged is what we strive for, so it's wonderful to know our extra efforts made a difference. The Sunbeam Room team will be delighted to hear your feedback! We truly appreciate your support and trust in us.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The team are kind, caring and dedicated to the children's happiness, wellbeing and welfare. I feel happy dropping off my child each Day knowing he will be safe and properly cared for by care workers who have genuine affection for the wee ones.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It means the world to us to hear that you feel confident and happy leaving your child in our care each day. Our team is truly passionate about creating a safe, loving, and nurturing environment for all children. We appreciate your kind words and your trust in us!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our little boy attends Dunblane Nature Kindergarten (rainbows) twice a week and absolutely loves it.


He has come on leaps and bounds socially, emotionally and just as a wee character since starting here nearly 2 years ago.


The biggest selling point for me is the outdoor focused play and learning.

Our little boy absolutely thrives in this environment and it's a pleasure and joy to watch through Instagram updates.


The girls are so attentive and kind with all of the little ones and they always make time for a chat with the parents at drop off/pick ups.


Lovely bunch of staff and a fabulous nursery that we can't wait to introduce to our newest addition to the family!


Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It's truly heartwarming to hear how much your little boy has grown and thrived at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten over the past two years. We love providing an outdoor-focused learning environment, and it's fantastic to know that he enjoys it so much! Our team takes great pride in creating a nurturing space for both children and parents, so your kind words mean the world to us. We're absolutely delighted to welcome your newest addition when the time comes!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is a fantastic nursery with great staff. My son started his journey in the baby room and is now transitioned to p1 although continuing his stay at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten by attending their out of school club. Each room has great facilities for kids and it has been
great to see my son develop over the past few years and now thriving in P1 due to the care and passion delivered from the team. All the staff are so welcoming and have great relationships with the kids and families, you can see they all care. I would highly recommend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten to everyone, it really is a fantastic place.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! Were delighted to hear about your son's journey with us from the baby room to now thriving in P1 while continuing at our out-of-school club. It's truly rewarding to see children grow and develop over the years, and we were so grateful to have been part of his experience. Our team takes great pride in creating a caring and nurturing environment, and your kind words mean so much to us. Thank you for your recommendation we look forward to continuing to support your family


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child has been here since September 2024 - he is thriving. He eats great and has now, this month, just taking his first steps! They also managed to get it on video for me.They promote all of his skills in such a fun and caring way and capture the most amazing moments for us to keep. I'm so grateful
I found this nursery!

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you for your wonderful review! We are so delighted to hear that your little one is thriving and reaching such exciting milestones with us how special that we could capture his first steps for you! Our team is dedicated to creating a nurturing and fun environment that supports every child's development, and it means the world to hear your kind words. Were so grateful to have you as part of our nursery family!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter attends the out of school club during the school holidays. She absolutely loves coming here and always asks to come back. The Manager who runs the out of school club always creates such fun and engaging things to do to suit all ages.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're delighted to hear that your daughter enjoys attending our out-of-school club during the holidays and always looks forward to coming back. Our team, especially our Manager, works hard to create fun and engaging activities that cater to all ages, so it's fantastic to know that their efforts are making a difference. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming your daughter for more exciting experiences in the future!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My first daughter started nursery when she was just turning 3 and after difficult drop offs at a previous nursery, she instantly felt comfortable and happy to attend and 1.5years later she continues to love her days at nursery and all of the staff. The way she speaks about her teachers is like that
of close family which is lovely.
My youngest recently started and at just 1.5years it feels like a home from home environment where she receives great care. Her speech has came on greatly and loves to sing all the nursery rhymes. I couldn't say enough good things about this nursery and its staff, the children are so happy, the activities are well thought out and nature is a huge part of their daily learning. Would highly recommend.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you ever so much for your review and the detail you have provided of your experience, this is so helpful for new families looking for quality childcare and it is also wonderful for us to hear!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Brilliant set up! Caring staff. Good food. Outdoor time. Our daughter always seems happy after nursery. Not sure what else I can say. We don't have any negative comments. Thank you for all the hard work!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff are so lovely and attentive. I'm always amazed with their creativity on activity and sensory play, and also they are so patient and kind. I love how much my son loves the nursery and the strong bond he's created with his key worker. His confidence soars after joining and highly recommend this
nursery to any prospective parents.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you for your review it means the world to the team to hear how happy you are with the level of care your son receives, thanks again from all at Thrive.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son loves this nursery. The staff are wonderful and take such good care of the children. They have heaps of outdoor time, fantastic food and a lot of well-judged stimulation. I would recommend it to any parent.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you for your feedback, we really appreciate it. From all at Thrive Childcare.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have had 3 children attend Dunblane Nature Kindergarten (DNK) since 2018, all moving through the baby room up to the pre-school room. They have all loved their time at DNK and made really strong bonds with the lovely staff. My older 2 formed strong friendships which have carried through to P1 and
beyond and it's lovely to see them still playing with their nursery friends. DNK have recently put a lot of effort into increasing the amount of time spent in the local woodlands and green space, which the children love. They end up learning about so many different things as the staff are led by what the children show an interest in. I remember one of my children getting very excited about electricity and knowing more about the subject than me! I would highly recommend DNK to anyone looking for a nurturing, fun environment that values time spent outdoors.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you for your wonderful review from all at Thrive Childcare.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter was born during lockdown and never had much socialisation with other children. The staff at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten have been incredible with her, she adores her nursery days and is gradually getting more confident with other children. Dunblane Nature Kindergarten settled my daughter
at her pace and has been so valuable in helping her development. Dunblane Nature Kindergarten has been an incredible support not only for my daughter but for me as well.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you ever so much for your glowing recommendation, from all at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten part of Thrive Childcare and Education.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent nursery, staff are always friendly, kind and patient with the kids. My daughter has gone to the nursery for over 2 years now and my son has just started. My daughter loves how much time they spend outside and we get regular updates/photos from the app.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you kindly for your lovely review, from all at Thrive Childcare and Education.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son just started at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten. The staff are absolutely amazing - friendly and really lovely with the little ones. There is so much that speaks for the nursery from the food that is cooked up by an in-house chef, being outside and all the in-door activities they do with the children.
My son loves it - the fact there are no tears at drop-offs says it all. Highly recommend!

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you for your lovely recommendation, it is a pleasure for us to read, from the team at Thrive.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My 2 children absolutely love Dunblane Nature Kindgarten. They manage to get outside every day to explore nature and the facilities inside the nursery are all made of natural products which we love for the kid's development. All of the staff are so friendly, welcoming and always make the children feel
at home. They have an in-house chef that cooks fresh food every day. Can’t recommend the nursery enough!

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Thank you for taking the time to write your glowing review, the team will be delighted to read it, The Thrive team.


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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.930)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.930) out of 10 for Dunblane Nature Kindergarten 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 32 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 32 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 4.930 for Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is calculated as follows: ( (356 Excellents x 5) + (27 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 383 Ratings = 4.93

  • 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 Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is based on 32 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 62 number of registered child places is 12.4, which has been reached with 32 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 (5)

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Meet the Team (1)

Linda

Linda Boon

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2013

With a professional qualification in childcare many years of experience working with children of all ages Linda manages her nursery and staff team to ensure we provide a secure family environment where you can feel relaxed and confident in the knowledge that your child is being cared for by dedicated staff in a safe environment.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

What is the Age Range of Children that Dunblane Nature Kindergarten accepts?

Dunblane Nature Kindergarten accepts Children aged from 0 years 0 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Dunblane Nature Kindergarten Open?

Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is open: Monday 08:00-18:00, Tuesday 08:00-18:00, Wednesday 08:00-18:00, Thursday 08:00-18:00, Friday 08:00-18:00.

How many Children does Dunblane Nature Kindergarten have capacity for?

Dunblane Nature Kindergarten has capacity for a total of 62 Children.

How far is Dunblane Nature Kindergarten to the centre of Dunblane?

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