Puddleducks Day Nursery Belfast

Grosvenor House, 5 Glengall Street, Belfast BT12 5AD
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9.9 121 Reviews
  • Puddleducks Day Nursery Belfast, Belfast
Puddleducks Day Nursery is a new state-of-the-art day nursery in Belfast city centre, providing busy working parents with a convenient childcare solution. The modern, purpose built day Nursery, located on Glengall Street caters for 0-4 year olds. It is located just 2 minutes' waddle from Grand Central Station and is easily accessed via the main motorway links... this makes it an attractive option for city centre workers.

Puddleducks offers four bespoke rooms: 2 for babies (0-2 years); toddlers (2-3 years); pre-school (3-4 years), a large indoor play area and a secure outdoor play area.

Run by highly qualified and trained childcare professionals, the nursery also provides nutritionally balanced meals and flexible contract terms to suit varying childcare needs.

Puddleducks has been created by Belfast Central Mission (BCM), one of NI’s oldest charities which has over 50 years’ experience in childcare, and will be run as a social enterprise, with all profits being invested back into the charitable work.

Care Provided by Puddleducks Day Nursery Belfast

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

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • BCM
  • Person in charge
  • Sharon Malcolm (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 19
  • Registered Charity Number
  • NIC101271
  • Total Places for Children
  • 70
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 4 years 10 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 08:00-17:30
    Tuesday 08:00-17:30
    Wednesday 08:00-17:30
    Thursday 08:00-17:30
    Friday 08:00-17:30
  • When Closed
  • New Years Day, St Patricks Day, Easter Monday & Tuesday, May Day, 12th & 13th July, August Bank Holidays (end of month) & 1 week Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Puddleducks Day Nursery Belfast

  • Full Time: £1,200 per month (5 full days per week) or £955.00 (5 x 1/2 days per week)
    Part Time (full day) £61.50 per day
    Part Time (half day) £47.00 per 1/2 day


  • Puddleducks is registered with the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) which could offer you an additional 15% discount on your fees.


  • Parking
  • Parking for pick-up and drop-off is available on site.


Puddleducks Day Nursery Belfast Reviews (121)

Total of 121, showing 81-100
9.9

Puddleducks Day Nursery Belfast has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.934) out of 10, based on 19 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Puddleducks Day Nursery Belfast has 121 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter attended Puddleducks Nursery last year and thrived in the environment.


The staff are confident and caring and clearly, enjoy being with the children. Management of the nursery is excellent with the manager being a very 'hands-on' and professional manager.


My little girl still talks

about her experiences there. A great experience!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have truly valued the Puddleducks experience and would highly recommend to others. Our daughter has thrived and really enjoyed the quality of care and the excellent facilities provided. We also appreciate the drive for continuous improvement and the proactive approach to the training of staff to
ensure the best care is given to our little ducklings!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Absolutely excellent, couldn’t recommend this place highly enough. A wonderful and caring environment staffed by committed and dedicated professionals.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been attending Puddleducks for the last 4 months and I am very happy with the care he has received. My son has severe allergies and Puddleducks have been very accommodating to his needs. The staff are very friendly and attentive, and the facilities and activities are excellent. Puddleducks
definitely come very highly recommended!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It is close to work and my son enjoys all the activities done in his class, it's one of the best available in the city centre.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Puddleducks has been a fantastic environment for my child to grow and learn. The staff are just wonderful, they keep me up to date on any issue or concerns they have regarding my daughter along with any advice they can give. The nursery rooms have a great selection of toys and a wonderful outdoor play
area for plenty of exercise. The food cooked by the nursery chef is fresh and healthy and my daughter just can get enough!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been attending Puddleducks for the last 6 months and I am over the moon with the care she has received. The staff are very caring and attentive and the food, facilities and activities are excellent. She has learned so much and enjoys every day she is there.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My eldest daughter has been to two different private day nurseries in Belfast, and while both are great, Puddleducks is exceptional. Under the leadership of the manager, so passionate about her work, the care and energy of the whole staff is second to none.


Here are my highlights...
Wonderful,

caring staff.
Responsive to children, rather than enforcing an inflexible schedule etc.
Great outdoor space, used every day, in all weathers.
Bright, spacious & welcoming rooms.
Toys that facilitate imagination & creativity, they than flashy plastic prescriptive toys.
Child-led learning.
Good food.
Gender representation amongst staff, ie not 100% female.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I currently have two children in Puddleducks and I am extremely happy with this nursery. The staff go above and beyond in all aspects of the children's care and I have never once worried about my children while I am away. All the staff are friendly, approachable and very knowledgeable about Early
Years childcare. The resources available in the nursery are fantastic and I feel they have a huge amount of space for the children - in comparison to other nurseries I have seen. I would highly recommend Puddleducks to anyone who is looking for childcare in Belfast.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I had my daughter in this daycare for 6 months and overall I was thoroughly happy with every aspect of the daycare. I would have loved to keep her here but due to where we live it was handier to have her closer to home.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Cannot recommend Puddleducks Day Nursery Belfast enough. The staff are lovely, friendly, helpful and make me feel at ease leaving my wee one there every day without any worries. It has many other good points but the most important is your child's welfare and I never have any worries about mine.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has come on in leaps and bounds since starting at Puddleducks Day Nursery Belfast. He loves the staff and they care for him as if he was their own which is phenomenal. I don't have a single complaint and will be devastated when he has to leave. I have nothing but good things to say and I couldn't
say enough of them.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been attending the nursery for just over four months now and we couldn't be happier with our choice. It's difficult enough going back to work but the great staff and care that she receives at the nursery has definitely made it easier. She loves her two days a week there and is all smiles
in the morning when she sees everyone. Already everyone knows her and we feel part of the nursery. The activities, food and facilities are all fantastic but it's the people there who really set it apart, they genuinely care and are interested in the children. They always make time to chat to parents, giving advice and reassuring you. Our daughter has come on in her development too since joining and that's definitely due to the supportive learning environment and interaction with the other children. Highly recommended!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been in this nursery for a year and a half. From day one, the staff have made my son and me feel right at home in the nursery. It is such a comfort to know that my child is receiving the best possible care whilst I am at work. The attention to detail in Puddleducks' daily menus, the openness
and friendly-nature of the staff, the organisation of events for the children and the commitment to safety and high standards have made this experience so very rewarding for my son and the family as a whole. The staff are truly committed and a credit to the childcare profession! I couldn't be happier with our choice of nursery and so I recommend it highly.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Awesome = Puddleducks. My son he was just over a 1 year when he started the nursery, attending 5 days a week and not even once has he said that he doesn't want to go. I'm very happy with the things he's learnt there. I strongly recommend for your children.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I can't recommend Puddleducks highly enough. My son started in their baby room and will stay until he's ready to start school. He runs in each morning looking forward to seeing his friends and excited about the day ahead. The staff are consistently great and many of the staff are the same as when my
son joined the nursery over three years ago and work very well together as a team.
My son's experience in Puddleducks has set a really great foundation for his next chapter. I can't thank the team enough for the care they have shown my son and the enthusiasm they have for providing all the children with a safe and happy place to learn and have fun. A great team, well led, welcoming and caring who deserve high praise indeed.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son attended Puddleducks Day Nursery from January 2014 to October 2016. He got up every morning ready and eager to go and see all his friends (staff included). The staff are a wonderful caring team that have instructed and encouraged my son through many of the first milestones eg. walking, talking
and potty training to name a few. They have always shown great patience and understanding with the children and parents alike.
It is a fun, safe and educational place for all children to enjoy and peace of mind for all parents knowing their children are safe and well cared for. Diet and outdoor play were one of the biggest reasons we place the care of our son with Puddleducks, the meals are varied and always healthy. The outdoor area is fantastic and the children get out every day weather permitting.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has been attending Puddleducks for the past 9 months and we are very impressed with both the excellent staff and facilities there.
The staff are excellent, very attentive to our son's needs and at all times are very professional. Our son, who is almost 2 now, it seems very happy attending Puddleducks.
The range of activities, crafts and play are excellent as are the meals offered. Overall, we are very happy at having chosen Puddleducks Day Nursery.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son and daughter both attended Puddleducks and were extremely happy during their time there. After viewing approximately 10-day nurseries in North and Central Belfast we were highly impressed with Puddleducks. I was very apprehensive about leaving the children in daycare and returning to work from
maternity leave, however, Puddleducks were so good, I really had nothing to worry about.
The staff were caring, engaging and professional. My son's accidents from potty training stopped and my daughter became very sociable with other children. Staff communicated the child's day every night at pick up. There were regular emails communicating relevant information. All of the children were happy. I would strongly recommend this day nursery.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

From our initial look around the nursery we fell in love with the facilities and staff. I needed to leave our little girl in save hands and ensure she would get the development she needed and everyday would be a fun day for her. The staff are excellent and take care of my daughter as if she was there
own. From my daughter starting in Puddleducks she has come on leaps and bounds.
She enjoys the home cooked meals and the different snacks that are offered each day and I love that I can see in advance what's on the menu for her. She is full of confidence and has met lots new friends. I can't recommend Puddleducks enough and I thank the staff for all that they do.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.934)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.934) out of 10 for Puddleducks Day Nursery Belfast 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 19 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 19 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 4.934 for Puddleducks Day Nursery Belfast is calculated as follows: ( (213 Excellents x 5) + (13 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 227 Ratings = 4.934

  • 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 Puddleducks Day Nursery Belfast is based on 19 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 70 number of registered child places is 14, which has been reached with 19 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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Awards / Recognitions (14)

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Meet the Team (5)

Sharon

Sharon Malcolm

Job Title: Manager

Joined: 2012

Sharon has worked in the early years sector for over 20 years and has managed Puddleducks since it opened in 2012.


She is passionate about maximising the potential of all children in her care and has a particular interest in a child's emotional well-being, understanding that this is a fundamental area of child development to 'get right' in the very early years.


She has 2 children Evan & Connie, a puppy Archie and Garfield the cat!


Sharon loves the North coast and enjoys nothing more than a long dander on the beach with her children and Archie... finishing off with a bite to eat in the Harbour bistro!


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Vicki Watton

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2012

Vicki has been working in Puddleducks since we 1st opened our doors back in 2012. She has a logical and methodical approach to her work and will go out of her way to offer support and guidance to any of the team, for which many of the team are grateful.


Vicki has worked closely with Sharon over the last 10 years to develop 'The Puddleducks Approach' to care and learning. She is passionate about Puddleducks being the best for all of the children who attend and works tirelessly to ensure best practice is implemented on a daily basis.


Outside of work, most of Vicki's time is spent with her nieces and nephews who she just loves to spoil.


Aynsley

Aynsley Brown

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2016

Aynsley started in Puddleducks as a Nursery Assistant back in 2016 but she demonstrated strong leadership qualities and was soon promoted to Room Supervisor. In 2020, after successfully completing her Level 5 Play-work, she was promoted to Deputy Manager.


Aynsley's experience from completing the Playwork course has been beneficial to all of Puddleducks. She has shared her learning with all of the team and recognises the importance of purposeful play, loose parts in the play and managed risk-taking.


Aynsley has such a bubbly fun-filled personality which makes her impossible not to love!


She is a proud Mum to her baby boy Orson and makes the most of her spare time making wonderful memories as a family.


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Zoe Haire

Job Title: Room Supervisor

Joined: 2019

Zoe was promoted to Room Supervisor within 4 months of starting in Puddleducks back in 2019. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience in their early years having worked in the sector for more than 10 years. Zoe has an eye for detail and makes sure that everything is 'just right' for all of the children under her care and supervision.


Zoe is the besotted Mum of Mya-Jayne (who comes to work with her mummy) and loves nothing more than family time with her, her partner and her dogs!


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Lois Carson

Job Title: Room Supervisor

Joined: 2018

Lois has been part of our Puddleducks family since 2018. She came to us as a student on placement when she was studying for her foundation degree in Early Childhood Studies (ECS). During college holidays, she worked as a nursery assistant and then was offered a full-time post on completion of her ECS course.


Lois has a very calming influence on the children and the rest of the team and finds the positives in every situation. When the opportunity for promotion came along, there was no hesitation in offering the role of Room Supervisor to Lois.


Lois is a keen skateboarder and loves getting to the beach where she enjoys surfing and bodyboarding! She also enjoys helping out at her parent's farm at the weekends.