Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School

56 Knightsbridge Park, Belfast BT9 5EH
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9.9 36 Reviews
  • Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School, Belfast
Belfast YMCA Nursery & Afterschool offers childcare to children aged 3 months to 11 years in Stranmillis, Belfast.

The purpose-built setting overlooks the Lagan Meadows and features bright and airy rooms that offer a warm atmosphere and nurturing environment where children can thrive.

There is plentiful outdoor space where children enjoy a variety of activities that support their physical development and teach them about nature.

The abundance of outdoor play areas further enhances the experience, allowing children to connect with nature and engage in physical activities that promote their overall well-being.

Indoors, there are four play rooms that are all specially designed to support the learning and development of their respective age groups - the Baby Room, the Toddler Room and two Nursery Rooms.

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Care Provided by Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • Belfast YMCA
  • Person in charge
  • Sarah Ferguson (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 30
  • Registered Charity Number
  • NIC102252
  • Total Places for Children
  • 129
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00
  • When Closed
  • New Years Day, Easter Monday & Tuesday, 12th & 13th July & 1 week at Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School

  • Full Days - £65 a day,
    Mornings/ Wraparound care - £48 a day,
    Afternoon - £35 a day.

  • Fee Information and discounts:
    For families needing childcare full time this is discounted by 17.5% - this is available for full days, mornings or afternoons.


    We offer the following family discounts:
    5% discount for 2 siblings attending our nursery 10% for 3 children includes our After School Club.


    Our fees are reviewed annually each April taking into consideration the impact of inflation and any minimum wage changes.
  • Parking

  • Free car parking on site


Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School Reviews (36)

Total of 36, showing 1-20
9.9

Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.878) out of 10, based on 36 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School has 36 reviews.

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Review from Rachna C (Mother of Child) published on 13 December 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The nursery staff as well as the after-school staff are very helpful and great. My daughter started in nursery and later on moved to after school club and she likes it there. The staff is always happy to help.

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Review from Oxana S (Mother of Child) published on 4 December 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter loves Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School. We started a few years ago with nursery, settled really easily and well. My daughter made good friends and loves afterschool staff. Management always try their best to meet family needs. Definitely recommend them.

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Review from Anneke B (Mother of Child) published on 27 November 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child is extremely excited to go to nursery in the morning. He is very fond of his teachers and classmates and I feel he is cared for with patience and compassion. The facilities are excellent, spacious and well-kept.

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Review from K S (Mother of Child) published on 25 November 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our kids started new this year at Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School, St Jude's and they have been super happy. We had a welcome day to come and meet the team and see the set up which was very helpful to let us, as parents, understand the situation and ease any stress as we met the lovely team who
work there. Everyone has been helpful and caring towards the kids, learning about their wee personalities. They spend so much time undertaking lovely activities such as baking and crafts. They take them to the park or play outdoors and it is very refreshing to know my kids are outdoors playing and exploring nature while they are away from me. They want to go every day, even when I'm at home! Thank you so much.

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Review from John G (Father of Child) published on 25 November 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter attends the after school club five days a week and I can't speak highly enough of the staff in terms of their care, attitude, effort and communication with my wife and I.
The leaders go out of their way to put on a diverse and genuinely fun and/or educational range of indoor and outdoor
activities for all the children and also allow them to experiment and try new things that interest them.
They collect the children from the local school and have a great relationship with the school and teachers.
They put on fun days, barbeques and a range of other events throughout the year for the children and their families.
From what I can see, staff are encouraged by management to avail of additional training and qualifications and staff are easy to contact and always happy to answer any questions.
I'm very happy with all aspects of care given by all staff and highly recommend Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School, Stranmillis after school as a safe, fun, caring and vibrant facility.

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Review from K M (Mother of Child) published on 22 November 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have a very good relationship with the childcare staff in afterschool. The ladies are very helpful and approachable. Doesn't matter what issue I have, I can contact them via the app and the response is very quick. My child is very happy there and often says that he can't wait to go to YMCA.

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Review from E S (Mother of Child) published on 18 November 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

YMCA Nursery is excellent, both in the care of children and in value for money. The staff are excellent and feel like one big family. We're very happy with the quality of care and attention our child receives and couldn't rate the nursery highly enough.

Reply from Sarah Ferguson, Nursery and After School Manager at Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School

Thank you very much for your kind review - it means a lot and we appreciate you taking the time to review us. We are so glad you have had such a positive experience with us, we love having you all as part of our nursery family!


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Review from Amanda M (Mother of Child) published on 18 November 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We were extremely fortunate to get a spot for our daughter at this nursery. The staff greet her with open arms in the morning and she is just as excited to see them as she is to see us when we pick her up.
The staff are extremely attentive and will often check in if she is away sick. It is nice to
know they are thinking of her even when she is not there.
We also really enjoy the photo and video updates we get and seeing the different menu options and foods she gets to try.
Would 100% recommend this nursery to anyone looking for child care.

Reply from Sarah Ferguson, Nursery and After School Manager at Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School

Thank you very much for your kind review - it means a lot and we appreciate you taking the time to review us. We are very grateful for the recommendation and glad that your little one is so happy here, we love having her with us!


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Review from H W (Mother of Child) published on 4 July 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am very grateful to the whole team at Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School for the quality of care my son receives. He found settling in difficult initially, due to being at home with me until he was 2 years old so he found the separation tough. The staff were patient and worked closely with myself
to ensure he felt safe and secure. He now begs to go in each morning! The facilities are of a high standard, the staff are fantastic and really make you feel like they know your child as an individual - and that means a lot for us working parents. The nursery manager is excellent and ensures a high standard of communication with families so we know what is happening in nursery life. I would highly recommend YMCA Nursery and I am very grateful for the opportunity my son has had in his early years of life.

Reply from Sarah Ferguson, Nursery and After School Manager at Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School

Thank you very much for your kind review - we are delighted that you have had such a positive experience with us. I will be sure to pass this on to all the staff, they will also be delighted to hear how much your son enjoyed his time with us. Thank you


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Review from Rose M (Mother of Child) published on 3 July 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have had such a lovely experience with Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School. My son has been there from September last year - June and we, sadly, have to move on as he will be starting preschool in September. We have had the loveliest experience in the Nursery 1 unit though. He had only ever been
with me and was really apprehensive at the start, going into a new environment but from the first day, management and all the girls in his room made him feel so welcome and safe. He has really enjoyed his time at nursery and I've found the nursery so accommodating and helpful throughout. He has learned so much and I feel like the girls genuinely took such an interest in him and knew him so well. I potty trained him also while he was in Nursery 1 and the nursery made it so much easier and the process was, overall, really quick and easy. He made lovely little friendships at the nursery and overall, I would highly recommend this nursery.

Reply from Sarah Ferguson, Nursery and After School Manager at Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School

Thank you very much for your very kind review - this is massively appreciated. We are so glad you had a great experience with us, we will miss you all. All the best, thanks again!


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Review from L T (Mother of Child) published on 12 June 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am very pleased with my choice of nursery, YMCA.
The staff obviously care for all of the children and really get to know them as individuals; they learn their likes, dislikes and unique personalities.
My child is something of a picky eater and the staff work well with me and offer (when asked
for) advice based on their knowledge and experience for which I am very grateful.
I was quite unwell recently and my son did not attend nursery for some time, during which the manager kindly contacted me to see how I was. I was really touched by this and felt it illustrated the YMCA's awareness of the child's wider environment outside of the nursery and genuine concern for their / their families well being.

Reply from Sarah Ferguson, Nursery and After School Manager at Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School

Thank you for your very kind review, we are delighted you have had such a positive experience with us. We really appreciate this feedback, thank you.


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Review from Catherine M (Mother of Child) published on 18 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Staff are doing incredibly, activities well planned, stimulating, educational and above all fun. My daughter loves Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School, as did my previous children. I know she’s safe and very happy at YMCA. Couldn’t recommend more highly.

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Review from M H (Mother of Child) published on 4 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The YMCA nursery is fantastic. The staff are very accommodating and brilliant with the children.
They have brilliant facilities and outside space which they use regularly.
The communication between staff and parents is great so you always know what your child has been up to.
The meals are nutritious
and varied and meal times are a lovely social time when the children sit round together.
Cannot recommend the YMCA highly enough.

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Review from Rachel G (Mother of Child) published on 4 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my daughters started YMCA in January 2024. My eldest had been in a previous daycare from January 2021 to December 2022 and had never settled. I was very apprehensive about them both starting. My fears disappeared very quickly both girls have settled brilliantly, especially our baby who goes in
without tears every morning reaching her arms out to the girls who are waiting for her. Our youngest has a cow's milk allergy and this has been accommodated with ease and she even gets to enjoy the same activities like sensory play with cream (a dairy-free alternative was sourced for her). Excellent nursery.

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Review from Somya S (Mother of Child) published on 4 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been going to YMCA Nursery and After School for a year now. Everyone there is so kind and sweet. They have been extremely accommodating. My son loves going there and loves everyone there. I love the transparency as well which I get through their app. I can see when he has signed in, what
he has eaten and any other activity as well. His speech has improved since he has started going to YMCA which was one of our concerns. Everyone at YMCA has been so patient with him and has helped him to express himself and feel more confident.

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Review from K S (Mother of Child) published on 4 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My experience so far relates to about six months, my child attends the afterschool there. They are excellent, they keep me informed of things that happen at the school, messages from the teacher and if an incident happens, they keep us informed. Also, flexible to pick up the children when they have
afterschool activities and offer fun activities when school is off. As working parents, we feel this flexibility is so helpful! They are very caring with the children, the atmosphere is very friendly and familiar and my son had no problem adapting to it. While being playful and caring, they also maintain firmness if the children are bold, which I appreciate. A lot of running space, especially when it’s nice out. Facilities are a very good standard. They also have community events which I find very nice. My son really enjoys it there, made new friends and sometimes he doesn’t even want to come home. I feel like I can entrust them 100% and absolutely recommend them.

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Review from R W (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Since the beginning, my husband and I have been very impressed with the care our daughter receives at Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School. The staff are wonderful, very caring and it’s always so clear that the well-being of the children is the number one priority. The communication has been excellent,
the facilities are wonderful and my daughter adores her time there!

Reply from Sarah Ferguson, Nursery and After School Manager at Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School

Thank you very much for your review - we are delighted that you have had such a positive experience with us and totally agree the well-being of the children is always our top priority. I will be sure to pass this on to all the staff, they will be delighted to hear how much your daughter enjoys her time with us. Thank you.


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Review from Laura M (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School is a fantastic nursery and I would highly recommend it. The staff are lovely and know and care for all the children. They all work very hard They have a great space and facilities and they have a wide range of learning activities for the children. They have a
great outdoor space and regularly bring the children on walks up to the playing fields and to the meadows nearby. All my children have loved the YMCA and they still make my older children feel part of the family even though they have long left the nursery. They have a lovely ethos and good management.

Reply from Sarah Ferguson, Nursery and After School Manager at Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School

Thank you very much for your review - we are delighted that you have had such a positive experience with us and that all your children have really enjoyed their time here. I will be sure to pass this on to all the staff, they will be delighted to hear all the planned activities have been enjoyed. Thank you.


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Review from Deborah C (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My three kids attended the summer holiday camp and had a fantastic time. They particularly enjoyed the tabletop crafts and visit from the little pony.
Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School staff were brilliant with all the kids and encouraged them to get involved in a range of activities.

Reply from Sarah Ferguson, Nursery and After School Manager at Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School

Thank you for your kind review - we are delighted that you have had such a positive experience with us. I will be sure to pass this on to all the staff, they will be glad to hear all the planned activities have been enjoyed. Thank you.


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Review from Elana S (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School is exactly what I hoped for in a nursery. I feel so at ease leaving my 1-year-old in their care, the staff are all super loving and caring and they meet my baby where she is at developmentally. Great communication throughout the day, nutritious meals and a very happy
environment.

Reply from Sarah Ferguson, Nursery and After School Manager at Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School

Thank you very much for your review - we are delighted that you have had such a positive experience with us and feel at ease trusting us. I will be sure to pass this on to all the staff, they will be so glad to know your little one is very happy here. Thank you.


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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.878)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.878) out of 10 for Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School 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 36 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 36 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 4.878 for Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School is calculated as follows: ( (379 Excellents x 5) + (44 Goods x 4) + (4 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 427 Ratings = 4.878

  • 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 Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School is based on 36 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 129 number of registered child places is 25.8, which has been reached with 36 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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Frequently Asked Questions about Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School

What is the Age Range of Children that Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School accepts?

Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School Open?

Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School is open: Monday 07:30-18:00, Tuesday 07:30-18:00, Wednesday 07:30-18:00, Thursday 07:30-18:00, Friday 07:30-18:00.

How many Children does Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School have capacity for?

Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School has capacity for a total of 129 Children.

How far is Belfast YMCA Nursery & After School to the centre of Belfast?

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

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