Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten

Newfield House, 1 New Street, Musselburgh EH21 6HY
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8.6 44 Reviews
  • Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten, Musselburgh
Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten provides quality childcare for children aged from 6 weeks to 5 years and is open from 8am to 6pm.

Delighted to have been awarded NMT Nursery Group Award 2018.

Early years development is encouraged within a stimulating atmosphere, consisting of spacious playrooms, extensive resources and planned activities to help children grow and learn in confidence.

A combination of indoor and outdoor learning opportunities makes for healthy self-development.

The on-site nursery chef freshly prepares balanced and delicious meals, catering for any allergies and dietary requirements.

Provides a wide range of session patterns to suit all childcare needs. A sibling discount is also offered (T&Cs apply), as well as working in partnership with the local council to offer funded pre-school sessions.

Included in fees are a quality early years care and education, freshly made, healthy meals and snacks, nappies and wipes, a range of extracurricular activities and a celebration of festivals throughout the year.

Please contact the nursery for any more information or to book a personal show round with the nursery manager.

Care Provided by Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Louise Smith & David Wilson (Nursery Managers)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 15
  • Total Places for Children
  • 79
  • 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
  • 2 weeks over Christmas & New Year

Funding & Fees Guide for Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten

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


  • Parking
  • There is plenty of on street parking outside the nursery making drop offs, pick ups and visiting easy for your family.


Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten Reviews (44)

Total of 44, showing 1-20
8.6

Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten has a Review Score of 8.6 (8.633) out of 10, based on 5 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten has 44 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I would highly recommend this nursery to anyone, the staff are fantastic with my son, he really loves his nursery days and is starting to build friendships. Activities offered are varied so the children get to experience a variety of fun games and learning activities.
My first son also attended this
nursery 3 years ago and it is nice to see some of the same staff still there.
The reason I have given a ‘good’ overall rating instead of ‘excellent’ is due to a couple of services I think should be in place. One is dinner being provided. This used to be included however now it is only a late snack. As the day is long, until 6 pm, I feel it is far too late to feed toddlers when they get home. Because of this I and other parents pick up at 5 pm or before so they can get their children home for dinner (you are still paying until 6 pm).
Secondly, it is a shame that the term time option is no longer an option.

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

Thank you for your glowing recommendation, Stephanie. I have passed your feedback over to the regional manager and nursery manager as feedback is extremely important to us, thank you again for taking the time to write the review it is much appreciated.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son attends Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten, and he absolutely loves it. He has made great connections with the staff and almost doesn’t want to come home.
All you can ever want is for your child to be happy to go to nursery and happy to be there.
The staff in the toddler room are friendly and
approachable, great at communicating how our son’s day was and giving us updates. They are always happy to see him and us. We always feel welcomed when we pick him up and drop him off.

Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Musselburgh 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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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We joined the nursery in September 2023 and our daughter has settled very well. She fondly talks about her friends and the lovely team that look after her.
Our daughter enjoys a wide range of play and learning activities when at nursery. As a result, her imagination, interests and speech have flourished.
We
are very pleased with the food options, outdoor space and staff.

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

Thank you for taking the time to write such a lovely review, the team will be delighted to read it, thanks again from the team at Thrive.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I couldn’t recommend Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten enough. My son loves the nursery. He runs in, in the morning. He loves all the staff in the baby room. He has come on so much from attending nursery and is a little social butterfly, he loves exploring the outdoor space and going on nature walks with
his teachers. He is very comfortable and secure at nursery and I couldn’t be happier with how great the staff are with him, and how happy he is in the setting.

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

Thank you for taking the time to write a lovely review of our service, the team are always so proud to read reviews from our happy families, thank you, The Thrive team.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my children attend the nursery and I cannot praise the nursery enough.
Both children love coming here. My son runs into the nursery each morning and my 1 year old daughter puts her hands out to her key worker every morning. It’s so lovely that I know they both enjoy coming here.
They both love
and trust the staff that take great care in getting to know them.
My son has made friends I think he will love being friends with for a long time.
I would recommend the nursery to anyone.

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

A glowing review thank you so much, it was a pleasure to read how happy your children are at Musselburgh NK, thank you again, The Thrive team.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5

Fantastic staff in the baby room although they are under a lot of pressure because of the lack of staff.
The higher management seems to be disconnected from the day-to-day challenges met by the nursery. Invoices received are sometimes wrong. It could improve if investments could be made in staffing.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 1.0 out of 5

I would seriously reconsider sending your child here. Just read their latest inspectorate report and you will understand. I have removed my 3-year-old daughter from this nursery after reading the report due to the fact she was not settling in for months. After having read the report it makes sense why
she wasn't. We are very upset and disappointed at what we have had to experience, more so for our daughter.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Very impressed with the nursery. My two children attend there and are clearly very happy and very well looked after.
The staff are friendly, attentive and really focus on each child’s individual needs.
The outdoor spaces are well thought out and considered for each age group.
Indoors, the space
is clean, bright with excellent toys and activities.

Reply from Holly Ashall, Digital Marketing Associate at Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten

Thank you for taking the time to leave this great review! We are so glad to hear that your children have settled in well and enjoy their time at Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten. Kind Regards, Thrive Childcare.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 2.0 out of 5

My child has been at Loretto Nursery for 2 years. In that time her and my experience has been very mixed. Unfortunately, there is a very high turn around of staff, which means that on a daily basis there is often a different person in the room greeting the children, therefore even after 2 years she
struggles to settle and it’s a battle to get her to go.


The staff promised her a reward for being brave at drop off times but then didn’t follow through. The children are very much left to their own devices to play and I very rarely get artwork or painting home. There is also no evidence of any learning. About a year ago they had a very good teacher and the children were learning phonics and Spanish and their learning was evident all over the walls but she left and there hasn’t been any evidence of learning since.


I am very disappointed in the nursery and feel that it is not meeting my needs. Unless drastic changes are made in the management of the nursery I would not recommend it.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This nursery is the best I could have hoped for to send my daughter to. The space is amazing, outdoor area is a massive space with tipis, mud kitchen, climbing things and swings, sandpits. An amazing outdoor space to grow and learn and play! The staff are so friendly, kind, intuitive, knowledgeable,
kind and fun. Anyone who is feeling a little unsettled leaving their child, they offer the best support and really put you and ease. I would recommend to any parent!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My youngest daughter started last August near her first birthday and she is really happy at Loretto. She has thrived there. We had a lot of settle sessions before she started which surprised me but it was absolutely worth it as she settled very quickly. I feel very involved with what she does while
at nursery. The thing I value the most is that the staff (who are great) obviously all know her really well and like her too. My eldest daughter has now started one morning a week and I have really appreciated how much effort they make with her even though she’s there for just a short time.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been attending Loretto since he was 7 months old. He is 26 months now and every day he looks happier when I drop him at nursery. He feels secure with the staff, loves the food and the facilities and we, as parents, feel very lucky to have a place there for him.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I have been very happy with how my two children have developed since they attended Loretto Nursery. They have both formed good relationships with other children and staff who they are both clearly comfortable with.
Over the last 12 months, I have had some mild concerns with the trend in turnover of
staff and lack of updates due to iPads not being available to staff members for photos and development updates. Fees have increased for the second year running and I feel little choice in managing this without additional further flexibility in start and finish times. Both my children love the food and the menu seems healthy and varied.
The nursery photo shoots appear to have not taken place for 6 months or more. I would like to see more parent to staff introductions, particularly through transition stages for children between the different age groups and room changes.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My daughter is very happy when she goes to nursery. I would like to have a greater variety in the food, as my daughter does not love pasta so much. Staff are very friendly, I am very pleased with this.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Our daughter attends Loretto nursery primarily due to the link with the school. However, she is really enjoying her time in the 3-5s room. The buildings and garden are lovely, and the nursery has access to the large playing fields behind. The nursery staff are friendly, and the nursery has been investing
in new staff to increase teaching experience. Our daughter enjoys the nursery food, which has recently been improved.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son and daughter have been at the nursery for a year now and we have had an excellent experience of all three rooms. Both my children settled into the nursery almost immediately and this was thanks to the expertise and dedication of all of the staff members. They both continue to flourish there and
I find the staff and facilities are excellent. The staff are approachable, caring and make it very easy for me to leave my children there for a significant period of time knowing they are in very good hands.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter is very settled here, she loves all the staff in the Bunnies and Submarines.
We love the additional classes ie music, p.e. and the large outdoor spaces.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter started at nursery about a month ago. I wouldn't send her anywhere else. The staff are all so friendly, kind and professional and really care about the children. She has only been there a short time but already we see a difference in her eating and communicating. Couldn't recommend Loretto
highly enough!!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Lovely atmosphere, friendly staff and great menu! My little one can’t stop talking about going back to nursery.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

This is my daughter's second nursery and we changed for logistic purposes, however, we are very happy with how she is progressing.


My daughter settled in with no tears and has enjoyed every minute of it. I get to hear from the ladies when I collect her, as well as from my daughter herself how much

she is doing during the day and it is all good learning fun! The ladies who work there are friendly and it is always clean and as tidy as can be with lots of children!


It is clear to see how she is developing and both myself and my husband are very happy to see how well she is doing.


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Current Review Score: 8.6 (8.633)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.6 (8.633) out of 10 for Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 5 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.8 out of 5 from 5 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 4.817 for Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten is calculated as follows: ( (49 Excellents x 5) + (11 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 60 Ratings = 4.817

  • 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 3.816 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten is based on 5 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 = 3.5

    • 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 79 number of registered child places is 15.8. 5 Positive Reviews ÷ 15.8 = 0.316

  • 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

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (5)

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Meet the Team (2)

Amy

Amy Simpson

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2021

Amy supports the team in the smooth running of the nursery.


Louise

Louise Smith

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2025

Louise has a wealth of experience in early years and in business, Louise and David work together to ensure the smooth operation of the nursery.


Frequently Asked Questions about Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten

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

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

What Days & Hours is Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten Open?

Musselburgh 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 Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten have capacity for?

Musselburgh Nature Kindergarten has capacity for a total of 79 Children.

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

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