Nursery at St Gabriel's

St Gabriel's, Sandleford Priory, Newbury RG20 9BD
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9.9 149 Reviews
  • Nursery at St Gabriel's, Newbury
The Nursery lies at the heart of St Gabriel’s and provides high-quality nursery care and Early Years education for children aged 6 months to 4 years. Open across 50 weeks a year and with an extended day, the Nursery has a warm and homely atmosphere where children become happy, confident and independent learners. As a natural progression, most of St Gabriel's Nursery children continue into the Reception class of the Junior School.

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Care Provided by Nursery at St Gabriel's

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

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • The St Gabriel's Schools Foundation
  • Person in charge
  • Katie Noonan (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 15
  • Registered Charity Number
  • 1062748
  • Total Places for Children
  • 81
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 6 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 & 1 week in the Summer

Funding & Fees Guide for Nursery at St Gabriel's

  • Nursery: Full Time (50 weeks a year).


    Days Attended 1 to 4 - Daily Rate £70.80.
    Days Attended 5 - Daily Rate £63.50.


    Nursery: Term Time Only (Approximately 34 weeks).


    Days Attended 1 to 4 - Daily Rate £74.20.
    Days attended 5 - Daily Rate £67.10.
  • Parking

  • St Gabriel's School has a large car park adjacent to the Nursery.


Nursery at St Gabriel's Reviews (149)

Total of 149, showing 21-40
9.9

Nursery at St Gabriel's has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.904) out of 10, based on 20 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Nursery at St Gabriel's has 149 reviews.

Overall Experience

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Review from K W (Mother of Child) published on 21 March 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter started at St Gabriels in January 2023 when she was just over 7 months old. The staff in the baby room are incredible - they keep the app updated so we know when she has slept and eaten and also they do some great activities and post pictures to keep us updated. Our daughter's key person
always knows what our daughter has been up to that day and our daughter always seems so happy after a full day at nursery! I also think that it has helped improve her awareness of things going on around her and her socialisation. We also think that it is fantastic that they put on various events for grandparents and parents and are looking forward to the easter egg hunt around the grounds!

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for your lovely review. It's nice to hear how much you enjoy the events that we put on for you.


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Review from C R (Mother of Child) published on 31 January 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our children started going to nursery here when they were seven months old, and they have settled in quickly. They are really happy to see the staff each morning and often open their arms wide to be handed over to the team.
We are kept updated throughout the day through the app, which tells us what
they've eaten, drank, slept and even moments. This contact and update regularly throughout the day is fantastic and means so much to us. We are so grateful for the baby room staff doing this.
The activities they get up to are brilliant! Lots of crafts and learning opportunities. After only a short time, they've seen fire engines, police cars, cows, and lots of walks around the grounds in the pram, to name a few. Highly rate the Baby Room. The staff in this room are angels, and so far, we feel we've made the best decision to be here.

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Review from S S (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been going to St Gabriels for more than a year now. She is more confident, happy and loves to learn new things. I am very much impressed with the preschool staff; they helped my daughter gain confidence and socialise. Highly recommended nursery!

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for your review. It's lovely to hear how amazing the staff are at supporting the children's development.


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Review from C D (Mother of Child) published on 16 January 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Could not be happier with St Gabriels Nursery. They have made us all feel so welcome. My daughter has settled in so well. She loves coming to nursery with a huge smile on her face. We have regular updates on how our daughter is getting on and what she gets up to when she is in. She loves telling us
about her day, and she has experienced so many fantastic things since she started.

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for the lovely review. She has settled in so well, and it's lovely to hear how happy you all are.


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Review from Natalie W (Mother of Child) published on 16 January 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has been full-time at St Gabriel's since September 2022. He settled in really quickly as staff spent the time getting to know him and his interests and had a lovely, warm approach. It didn't take long at all for him to start skipping in with no tears! At handover at the end of the day, it's
clear to see they are fond of him and have engaged with him during the day relaying little anecdotes of things he's said and done. He eats really well, clearly enjoying the meals and often having seconds. I also really like that they get them outside as much as possible and often take them for expeditions into the beautiful grounds of the school. He'll be a very lucky boy in the summer to enjoy these grounds!
We get regular updates on the app during the day of food, sleep, nappies/potty training and pictures outlining what he's been up to.
Overall, we're really pleased: he's happy, safe and making friends. Thanks, St Gabriels!

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for the lovely review. It's nice to hear how you are enjoying the app, and that your child is enjoying the outdoors and wonderful meals.


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Review from Nik M (Father of Child) published on 16 January 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

St Gabriels Nursery has been fantastic for our son. From his first day, his key worker has been updating us on his progress at drop-offs and through the portal. He enjoys every day, and we're particularly happy they get them outside for bear hunts/Gruffalo walks in all weathers. Overall, the nursery
has been fantastic for his development.

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for your review. We are glad he is enjoying the outdoors.


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Review from Rebecca T (Mother of Child) published on 16 January 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We choose St Gabriel's Nursery for the start of both our girl's educational journeys, and we are very pleased with the choice we made.
The nursery is always changing its daily activities to keep the children active and focused throughout the day, so they are never bored.
We have had no complaints
about the food, so it must be good, and they eat/try things there that they won't eat at home!
The staff are always caring and keen to help, and if you have a problem, it is taken care of straight away. The nursery is a lovely environment for them, and this shows when they come out and say what a great day they have had!

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for the lovely review. It's an honour to be the start of their St Gabriel's journey.


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Review from J P (Father of Child) published on 16 January 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

An exceptional preschool when it comes to preparing the children for school. The teaching of numbers, languages, letter recognition and various educational topics is fantastic. They have such lovely facilities for outside play, and the food is so very good. We feel really included as parents through
the parent portal. Also, the nativity was beautiful. Such a wonderful team who all work so hard!

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for the lovely review. I'm glad you feel so involved and that you enjoyed the Nativity.


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Review from Lino D (Father of Child) published on 16 January 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The activities carried out by the nursery are really impacting my child's development, and I am very happy about this. She is learning a lot and becoming more and more self-sufficient. The staff has helped my child settle in very quickly, offering support and caring as needed.

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for the review. We are glad you enjoy the activities provided.


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Review from Nancy F (Mother of Child) published on 7 October 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I'm really pleased I've chosen St Gabriels for my son to start his educational journey. He turned 3 in the summer and has never been in a nursery setting before and has only been looked after by myself and my husband. I was very sad to leave him on his first day as he cried when I left him. I too had
tears in my eyes, and like a lot of parents, felt that pang of guilt.
I'm happy to say the staff who look after my son have been brilliant; they have settled him in very well, and they cuddle him if he feels sad and misses me, which is a great comfort to him. He now enjoys going to preschool, and dare I say, he even looks forward to going now. He has made some new friends, some of which will be joining him going forward to St Gabriels next year for reception. My son comes running out of school happy, telling me what he and his friends have been up to; he speaks French and sings new songs. He's also trying new foods, which is great.

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for your review. It's lovely to see how well he has settled into his first educational establishment and how happy he is.


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Review from S H (Mother of Child) published on 23 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We couldn’t be happier with Sandleford nursery and have recommended it to so many friends. Our little boy started in June and has settled in really quickly, thanks to such a wonderful and caring team in the baby room. Now that he’s settled into the routine, his face lights up at drop-off when he’s greeted
at the door, which is lovely to see. We’ve both noticed such a positive change in his confidence since he’s been at Sandleford! The activities are always varied, and we really like their approach to development. We feel very fortunate that he attends this nursery.

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for your review. It's lovely to see how quickly he has settled, and we are glad you are enjoying the wide variety of activities!


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Review from Alexander N (Father of Child) published on 1 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been at Sandleford, St Gabriels now for three months. Thanks to the wonderful team, he has settled in perfectly at the baby nursery. He is always happy when I collect him and has really grown into the environment during the short period which he has been there. The staff are extremely helpful,
and the online system is great for keeping us up to date with what they are up to.

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for your review. It's lovely to see how quickly he has settled and that you are enjoying the online app.


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Review from Gayathri B (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Lovely place for little ones to be in. The staff is very friendly, kind and caring. They helped my little girl to be confident, be her own, and made her feel happy. When she was introduced to Sandleford first time, she started not being very happy as she had been at home all along since birth, and then
with Covid - but with the wonderful support from the staff, she now really loves being there. They do share pictures of the various activities done at the nursery as part of the daily routines, which is really wonderful to see, and they keep us informed, and the feedback sessions have been really useful ones. I would highly recommend this nursery based on our experience.

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for taking the time to provide a review. It's lovely that you enjoy seeing the photographs of the wonderful activities the children take part in.


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Review from Z T (Mother of Child) published on 5 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My daughter loves Sandleford, she often talks about her carers at home, so I know she is building good relationships with those she is spending time with. I love seeing the updates on how she is spending her day.
The only downsides are that she brings home less art and craft works, and very often
photos are of the back of her head (though I don’t envy the staff trying to capture a still
moment in toddlers).

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for your review. It's quite often in nurseries that children don't 'produce' something to take home but instead, take part in many other hands-on learning experiences throughout the day, which, hopefully, we capture in our wonderful photographs for you to see.


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Review from S B (Mother of Child) published on 4 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This has been by far the best nursery our child has attended. They really care and have a nurturing approach to development. Our child has grown in confidence and loves it. I would highly recommend.

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review.


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Review from S D (Mother of Child) published on 1 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent nursery. Both my children started when they were just under a year old and moved through from ‘babies’ to ‘preschoolers’. It has set my eldest up very well for the transition to school last September, and he had a head start with reading and maths in particular. Would thoroughly recommend!

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for your review. It has been lovely to see both children grow from babies to pre-school children!


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Review from C G (Father of Child) published on 24 March 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Sandleford Nursery provides a great childhood experience for my daughter. Activities are varied and encourage personal growth. At drop off her face lights up when she sees the staff and at collection she's charged with positive energy.

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for your review. I agree, the staff really are wonderful!


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Review from Nicola K (Mother of Child) published on 24 March 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our little boy has just started at Sandleford nursery. Our experience so far has been first class. Upon collection, our son wants to stay and play rather than go home!
We really especially enjoy the updates of what he’s been up to throughout the day.

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for your email. It has been a pleasure to welcome you to Sandleford.


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Review from Verity H (Mother of Child) published on 24 March 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We love Sandleford! It's a fantastic nursery, and we would always recommend it to anyone. Our daughter joined the baby room when she had just turned one and is now in the pre-school room. She absolutely loves it and is happy there every day. The staff are brilliant - so caring, and nothing is too much
trouble.
We also love the way that the children get to enjoy all the outside space in the school grounds too. There are often plenty of adventures to be had in the woods and lots of nature walks.
Keep up the good work, Sandleford!

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It's lovely to hear feedback about the amazing experiences the staff provide in the outdoor environment.


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Review from S B (Father of Child) published on 24 March 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Overall, Sandleford is a great nursery. The hours are excellent, the staff are engaging, and the children seem really keen to go. The facilities available are superb, as it's within a school. Covid changed the experience between the parent and the staff, but this should change back to ‘normal’ soon.

Reply from Katie Noonan, Sandleford Manager at Nursery at St Gabriel's

Thank you for your review. I agree, we cannot wait to have the parents back into the setting attending our wonderful yearly events.


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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.904)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.904) out of 10 for Nursery at St Gabriel's 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 20 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 20 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 4.904 for Nursery at St Gabriel's is calculated as follows: ( (216 Excellents x 5) + (23 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 239 Ratings = 4.904

  • 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 Nursery at St Gabriel's is based on 20 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 81 number of registered child places is 16.2, which has been reached with 20 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 (4)

Top 20 Nurseries South East England 2019

Recipient: Nursery at St Gabriel's

Date: Tuesday 30 Apr 2019 More details

Top 20 Nurseries South East England 2018

Recipient: Nursery at St Gabriel's

Date: Thursday 01 Mar 2018 More details

Top 10 Nurseries South East England 2017

Recipient: Nursery at St Gabriel's

Date: Wednesday 01 Mar 2017 More details

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