The Secret Garden Attenborough Day Nursery & Pre-School

235 Attenborough Lane, Attenborough, Nottingham NG9 6AS
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9.9 44 Reviews
  • The Secret Garden Attenborough Day Nursery & Pre-School, Nottingham
The Secret Garden Attenborough Day Nursery & Pre-School provides high-quality childcare within a warm, friendly 'home from home' setting.

They have a team of dedicated and enthusiastic staff who tailor every activity to the development of each individual child. This ensures the development of every child to their full potential through fun and stimulating play, making confident, happy children.

At Secret Garden Attenborough, babies start their journey with the nursery in the Papillon Room, a dedicated space for pre-walkers with its own sheltered play area to the rear, and move to the Mariposa room with direct access to a large garden and play area.

The Butterfly Room for pre-school age children is divided into two sections for younger and older children who have direct access to a covered outdoor play area and garden. All rooms are designed to maximise free flow which promotes children’s choice and easy access to the outdoors.

Each child has a key worker in each room, enabling the staff to form a strong bond with every child and to get to know them extremely well.

Secret Garden Childcare is a small, family-run business with a focus on nature and the environment. They focus on using natural materials and accessing the outdoor environment to maximise learning opportunities.

Extra-curricular activities on both sites include Rockabillies music sessions for the toddlers, while the pre-school children benefit from forest school, regular walks to the Attenborough nature reserve and feeding the ducks, taking full advantage of local opportunities for learning about the world.

No learning opportunity is lost; even a rainy day can make for a fun learning activity, kitted out with wellies, brollies and waterproofs!

Care Provided by The Secret Garden Attenborough Day Nursery & Pre-School

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Sarah Whittaker (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 23
  • Total Places for Children
  • 49
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 2 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
  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for The Secret Garden Attenborough Day Nursery & Pre-School

  • Full Day 8am-6pm £64.21p,
    Half Day 8am-1pm/1-6pm £42.10p,
    Full Week £305.26p (Monday - Friday),
    Early start 7:30-8am £3


  • Parking
  • Parking is available on Attenborough Lane or Shady Lane.


The Secret Garden Attenborough Day Nursery & Pre-School Reviews (44)

Total of 44, showing 21-40
9.9

The Secret Garden Attenborough Day Nursery & Pre-School has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.944) out of 10, based on 30 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time The Secret Garden Attenborough Day Nursery & Pre-School has 44 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our little boy has been attending since he was 10 months old and is now nearly 2. He loves being there and it's clear that the staff know him well and care about him and all the children! There's a huge range of activities they do together, a great variety in home-cooked food, and opportunities to be
inside and out. The staff are really lovely and communicative, we always hear straight away about any accidents and see lots of pictures and information about what they've been up to every day through the app. They also do lots of extra things for special occasions like Pancake Day or Children in Need which we hear about well in advance. We're really happy to have sent him here and baby no 2 will be joining before long as well. He's really thriving there and is clearly picking up lots of language and social skills from all the interaction he gets. Would 100% recommend it to anyone, particularly if looking for a small, family-feel setting.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am so pleased we made the decision to keep my daughter at Secret Garden even when we moved out of the area. She is absolutely thriving at the preschool and learning so much. She thoroughly enjoys her time there often asking to go at the weekend. The staff have been incredible at supporting both her
and us as a family with her allergies and I feel confident leaving her knowing she is in safe hands. Staff communication is excellent and I feel kept in the loop with what is happening, they will contact me to check things out and ensure my daughter has what she needs. The activities my daughter takes part in are varied and have supported her language development, communication skills and independence. We couldn’t ask for more.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am thrilled that my daughter goes to secret garden. As most parents, I was very apprehensive at first and my daughter took a while to settle in. The staff were so patient and supportive to both my daughter and I during this transition. She is now thriving there and I am so confident in the care she
receives. The nursery are outstanding in their communication, I love getting updates throughout the day on the app. They call and let me know if there has been a bump or anything of concern. We loved going to the nursery for a parent's evening and learning more about how they support her learning milestones. We feel that our daughter’s learning and development is really invested in here. My daughter loves the food and it makes me happy knowing it is homemade and nutritious, especially because she eats here but not at home. The care, attention and incredible staff at the secret garden mean I have no regrets on choosing them.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have two children currently at the Nursery and Pre-school. We’ve always been very happy with the level of care they’ve received, both children always go in and come home happy and smiling. Our pre-schooler often talks of her time there which I view as a positive. We’ve always felt the standard of
care is high and the activities offered are varied and age-appropriate. We also feel we can talk to the staff regarding their care and any issues get quickly resolved.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The nursery is absolutely fantastic. The care and attention they pay to each individual child is amazing. You can really tell they know the children and know their likes and dislikes. My daughter was at another nursery prior to moving her here and there was such a change in dropping her off and picking
her up, no tears, happily walking in and her confidence is growing every month she is there. They have listened to all of our requests and put things in place to support our daughter straight away. We absolutely couldn’t recommend this nursery enough. Thank you for everything you do!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We were both extremely anxious about leaving our daughter, especially around her allergies. The team at Secret Garden could not have been more accommodating, the communication is fantastic and it’s great how it’s such a small family feel to the nursery. There were the normal worries of ‘what if she
hates nursery?’ but we never had to worry about that, she loves it and loves the other children and staff which is a testament to what a fantastic job you all do. After a serious health scare more recently, we couldn’t have praised the nursery staff anymore, professional and caring. Thank you.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at The Secret Garden Attenborough were amazing at supporting our autistic daughter. They helped with the diagnosis process and took a personal approach to her needs and interests. They made learning fun, provided an autism-friendly diet, and understood her sensory needs - we couldn’t have
asked for more!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter absolutely loves going to the nursery and spending time with both the children but also the staff. She tells me all about her experiences with the staff when she gets home which to me demonstrates their compassion and dedication to the children. We ultimately chose this nursery over others
we visited (when my daughter first started nursery) and now I am so glad we did! I love the daily updates we get detailing what the children have been up to and the photos make my day! Having the app, I feel has really improved my experience as a parent but I also feel it showcases the great work the staff do every day. Thank you so much to all the staff.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot rate The Secret Garden enough. My daughter absolutely loves going and the staff are wonderful with her. The range of activities they get through even in just one day is amazing and they are always so varied. I feel like the staff really take an interest in my daughter and her likes and dislikes
and tailor activities for her. She runs in every day with a huge smile on her face!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I currently have a child at nursery here, and cannot rate the staff higher. I am extremely happy with the level of care they give, and I can see how much the children enjoy their time in the rooms. There is always something for the children to engage with and I have seen my child develop really well
under their care. The staff seem really geared towards supporting each child in their individual needs and the small setting has really encouraged my child to make some good friends.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Absolutely lovely nursery. We have had two children there for over five years now, with the second finishing this summer.
Both children have been very happy and well looked after; they've been encouraged to develop as much as possible and have always come home happy. They love all the staff and we
will be very sad when we have to say goodbye in the summer! Literally, the only thing I wish they had is bigger outside space at pre-school, but only because I have a very boisterous little boy!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

An absolutely wonderful nursery. The staff have been so friendly, accommodating and nurturing towards my son. His key person has developed a lovely bond with him and has been totally understanding of his needs, interests and personality- as have all of the staff too. Communication each day is really
excellent. They do lots of fun activities and get outside every day. I really like that it is a small setting with a home from home feeling.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is an excellent nursery with lovely staff and a wide range of activities for the children to participate in - I honestly don't know how they fit it all in! Both our kids love attending and wander in in the morning without a backwards glance. The staff are nurturing and consider each child's needs
on an individual basis - it helps that it's a relatively small nursery so the kids get to know all the staff well. The staff have worked with us in respect of developmental steps and are patient and encouraging with the children. We're very grateful that we have somewhere for the kids to go where we have complete trust that they're safe and cared for.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been going to this nursery since she was five months old. She is now twenty-one months old and she absolutely loves going. The staff have been fantastic and keep us updated throughout the day with her food/nappies/activities. Every member of staff is caring and nurturing. They go outside
whenever they have the chance weather-wise and inside do lots of activities - including all the messy ones I avoid doing at home!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The nursery is very well located in terms of proximity to our house and surroundings. Staff are committed and lots of activities take place. Our child is clearly happy and makes lots of good connections and experiences and this can be noticed in his good mood and the things he tells at home.
The only
slightly negative side is that the actual premises are a bit too old and smell a bit musty. This can be noticed by the smell of our child's clothes and hair when coming back home. Ok, not a major problem!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A friendly and caring nursery, that makes lovely relationships with the children. I'm very pleased with how my child has settled. They are keen to develop the individual in a kind and caring manner. The children are provided with a nutritious meal, which my child loves. The communication between parents
and the nursery is brilliant.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Lovely nursery with dedicated staff who are warm and friendly. They make a huge effort to know your child and take an interest in what is going on at home too. They work with parents to ensure they are working towards appropriate skills and goals for your child and are brilliant at keeping you updated
on what they are up to each day. They are creative in their activities and create a fun environment for the children.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is a lovely nursery and preschool, which both my children have attended. The staff are kind and nurturing and the management team is very knowledgeable and approachable. My children have developed strong bonds with their key workers and it really feels like the staff get to know the children as
individuals. The activities and learning opportunities provided are excellent. The nursery has been very accommodating with our preferences for naps and potty training. The preschool worked really hard with us as parents, and with the school, to make sure that my eldest was well-prepared for school and that the transition was as easy as possible.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The care for the whole family is wonderful! My child loved coming from day one! We are grateful for how they can identify what he loves and how to move him on with his learning of the world around him. Plus they taught him to zip up his coat which makes every day easier for us as a family!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been at the nursery for a while now and she loves it, the team are absolutely fantastic and really do care about the children and education. My daughter has come on so much since starting. Such an amazing team.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.944)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.944) out of 10 for The Secret Garden Attenborough Day Nursery & Pre-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 30 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 30 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 4.944 for The Secret Garden Attenborough Day Nursery & Pre-School is calculated as follows: ( (337 Excellents x 5) + (20 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 357 Ratings = 4.944

  • 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 The Secret Garden Attenborough Day Nursery & Pre-School is based on 30 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 49 number of registered child places is 9.8, which has been reached with 30 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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Meet the Team (1)

Sarah

Sarah Whittaker

Job Title: Area Manager

Joined: 2011

Sarah Has worked at Attenborough Day Nursery since we first opened in 2011. She started as Manager and is now Area Manager overseeing both the Attenborough and Westbridgford sites.


Sarah has a Level 4 qualification and holds a teaching qualification from when she was a childcare Assessor and Trainer.


Sarah is very passionate about Early years and providing high quality childcare for the families.


"Children's early years are so important and I believe in providing an environment that is nurturing and engaging to help children learn and develop. It's really important to me that the nurseries are a homely environment and work closely with the children's families putting each child at the heart of everything we do.


We like to offer the children a wide variety of opportunities such as forest school sessions, music session, tennis session as well as making use of the beautiful nature reserve next door."