Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

371 Gosbrook Road, Reading RG4 8ED
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9.8 66 Reviews
  • Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham, Reading
Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham opened its door to the local community in October 2016. They care for children from the ages of 3 months to 5 years and provide a stimulating and safe environment.

The nursery offers three rooms, Baby Moons, Mini Moons and Full Moons and is fortunate to have a large building that helps to provide unique learning opportunities to children. They have a dedicated communications room where their children can listen to stories and where older children engage in learning phonics.

With Banana Moon's very experienced in house chef they provide healthy nutritious home cooked meals, ensuring all dietary requirements are taken into consideration. The nursery supports the highly qualified staff and promotes their continued learning and development through in house and borough led training to ensure they provide a consistently high level of service and care.

They take pride in getting involved in their community and support several local charities.

Care Provided by Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Jenna Wharton (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 23
  • Total Places for Children
  • 74
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 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
  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

  • Please get in contact for more information


  • Parking
  • On-site parking available for 7 vehicles


Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham Reviews (66)

Total of 66, showing 41-60
9.8

Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.841) out of 10, based on 21 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham has 66 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have been extremely impressed by Banana Moon since our son started there in 2018. The hallmark of this nursery is genuine friendliness and a real love of the children. All the kids seem really happy - which is the key thing. The atmosphere is excellent and nothing is ever too much trouble. We went
to a couple of different nurseries before this, including one with an outstanding rating - but that's often more of a tick box exercise. This is the real deal.

Reply from Ravi Mankoo, Director at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your lovely review. We take pride in ensuring each family is cared for individually to ensure all personal needs are met. We like to treat the child like our own and for them to join our Banana Moon family.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

'Nana Moon', as my little one calls it, have really helped my son to no end. Being a very shy little man, all of the staff have shown patience and understanding, to point he is making friends and helping others to settle! I think it’s also right to mention they never stop or dampen down how he explores
and be the little person he wants to be which is something so important throughout a child’s development. Thank you once again!

Reply from Ravi Mankoo, Director at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your lovely feedback. It's lovely to hear how your son has grown in confidence. He is doing a wonderful job helping us settle in our newest children to our growing Banana Moon family. Our staff love to give our children opportunities to explore and discover new things.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child has been attending this nursery since January 20. He has been developing very well there, especially in his language and social skills. He eats all his nursery meals, which is a plus. He always seems calm when leaving at home time. The staff are very friendly and approachable.

Reply from Ravi Mankoo, Director at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your lovely feedback. We love looking after your little one. He is developing a little character of his own and we are enjoying being a part of his journey.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent nursery with lovely staff. My daughter was a little unsettled at first, but soon became more relaxed and always seems to leave happy at the end of the day. I'd highly recommend this nursery.

Reply from Ravi Mankoo, Director at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your lovely feedback. We are so happy your daughter has settled.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my children attend Banana Moon Day Nursery, my eldest has been here since he was 2 and my youngest has just started. They really enjoy their days at "school" and are always so excited to tell me about what they got up to when I pick them up. The staff are all very nice and all take the time to
get to know your child, even when they are not necessarily in their room. The manager of this nursery is superb. She has really brought a sense of organisation and calm to the nursery when it was perhaps a little unsettled in recent times with a high staff and management turn over. Since she has taken over the nursery, the turn around over the last year has been fantastic and my children thoroughly enjoy coming here. We would definitely recommend.

Reply from Ravi Mankoo, Director at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your lovely feedback. It's lovely to hear that your children enjoy their days at 'school'. Our manager has been very focussed on building a strong team, and we feel we now have a consistent team that feel supported and that provide high-quality care and outcomes for our children.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff are highly trained as well as being caring and warm. My son comes home with creative things they have done at nursery. The staff are approachable and very professional - they respond to requests or queries promptly.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have two happy children at Banana Moon who started age 1 and the oldest is now 3 years 8 months. The staff are wonderful and feel like family. I trust them implicitly with our children and they have a wonderful time there doing all sorts of activities and come back with lovely stories of their days.
The staff make sensible decisions informing us appropriately if the kids are unwell. Keep up the great work guys.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My boy has been going here since he was 10-months-old - he's almost 3 now and such a happy, well-adjusted boy in no small part because of Banana Moon. The staff are absolutely wonderful - you can tell it's not just a job for them. They are so much fun and so caring with the kids, and always thinking
up new fun activities. They've always been very flexible and responsive to parent wishes around routines, food, etc. Highly recommend this nursery.

Reply from Jenna Wharton, Nursery Manager at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your review. We like to get creative and become children ourselves when thinking of fun activities. We are like one big family, we were very happy when everyone came back from being away for such a long time!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have had two children at Banana Moon for the past year and have experienced the care across all of the age ranges. The staff are all so lovely and settled my children really well. They are all kind, caring and understanding of the different children's needs. I feel that they have managed the current
challenging environment very well. My children have been so happy returning to their nursery after the break.

Reply from Jenna Wharton, Nursery Manager at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your review. Our main priority was to ensure all of our children felt settled and happy after returning from the lockdown, so it's lovely to hear your feedback.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has recently started in the baby room and I cannot praise the staff and management enough. My daughter has settled extremely well and runs into her room every day and doesn’t want to come home. The food that she is given throughout the day is amazing. I can not thank all the staff enough
for putting a worried mummy’s mind at ease!

Reply from Ravi Mankoo at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your lovely feedback. We are really pleased your daughter has settled in well and that we have been able to put your mind at rest. We very much look forward to seeing her develop at our setting.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been attending this nursery for about two years and I am really proud of how he grew up and how he has developed his English as a second language. A key person has always been present who has always followed his needs and with whom I have always spoken to every day. Lunch is served from the
internal kitchen always with a base of fresh fruit and vegetables. My son loves fish and shepherd pie and often takes two servings.
Many activities are carried out and often my son brings home cookies, pizza or for example, a nice valentines day card. Children always play about 40 mins outdoors and it's important too.

Reply from Ravi Mankoo at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your lovely feedback. It's been lovely watching your son develop his confidence in speaking English. We are glad he enjoys eating the food that our very dedicated chef prepares daily for our children. Thank you for your continued support.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My son loves Banana Moon and often asks if he will see the staff even at weekends. He happily tells me how he saw the "chicas" (girls) or that he will see them. He's made special bonds with his 1st key worker and both the room leaders in toddler and preschool who are outstanding. We're confident that
our son is cared for, nurtured and gets as many cuddles as he needs. He's developing well and they do lots of activities. Administrative aspects could be improved given multiple issues with overcharging on invoices, chasing up on emails or some missing communication re. key worker. 30hr funding charges have doubled recently and it is unclear why given its three times more than others in the area. However, this doesn't take away from the wonderful staff, how happy my son has been there and the amount of work put into turning the Ofsted rating around. I would definitely recommend and would probably put my daughter there even though we will be placing my son in another nursery due to costs mentioned.

Reply from Ravi Mankoo at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your honest feedback. It is wonderful to hear your positive comments on our staff. We are incredibly lucky to have dedicated and nurturing staff. They have loved looking after your son. We are looking to change our invoicing system in a few months and hope this will improve some of the administrative issues mentioned. We always strive to offer the best service and care to our children and parents and will continue to look to improve these further. We very much look forward to the opportunity to look after your daughter.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been going to this nursery for the past 2 years and she really loves her time there. Staff are truly professional and friendly and they look after our little ones very well. It's been a great learning journey for my girl at the nursery.

Reply from Ravi Mankoo at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your lovely review. We love looking after your daughter and have enjoyed watching her grow into a confident individual.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been attending Banana Moon for nearly for 2 years and has received great care from day 1. Her key people have all been fantastic. After a period of difficult staff changes, the new management team has worked hard at rebuilding relationships between parents and staff with great success.
I always look forward to discussing my daughter’s day with staff when I collect her in the evenings. The nursery also offers extra activities - music and science sessions lessons - which my daughter loves. The food is great too and dietary requests are catered for. A very well rounded offering.

Reply from Ravi Mankoo at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your wonderful feedback. The management and staff team have made lots of positive changes and we are so pleased they are being recognised. We are so lucky to have such supportive parents like yourself that have stuck by us during this period of transition.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Our son has attended the nursery for 18 months. The new management team have worked hard to create a strong relationship between parents and staff which has resulted in an open, friendly and collaborative environment. The staff are a joy to interact with each day. I am particularly impressed by the
variety of activities on offer for my toddler (including music and science sessions). The menu is varied, healthy and a hit with my son who devours it all. A happy toddler = happy parents!

Reply from Ravi Mankoo at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your lovely feedback. It's lovely to hear the new management team have made such a positive impact on the nursery, there's lots more to come!!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our little boy has been at Banana Moon Caversham since just after his first birthday in February 2017 and has enjoyed every day there since.
We’ve always seen it as a good sign that whenever we are dropping him off, he happily goes to grab his breakfast with his friends and when we pick him up he’s
excited to tell us what he has done.
The staff and management are great here and always great at discussing points for development for him and helping us with things like potty training etc...
The overall feeling of the nursery is warm and full of care, very happy with everything we’ve experienced in our time with them.

Reply from Ravi Mankoo at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your lovely comments. We love looking after your little boy.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I am very pleased that my little one is settling in ok.
The staff are very hands-on, friendly and professional. I was worried at first but they managed to put my mind at rest and make sure my little one is happy.

Reply from Carly Garrett at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for the review and I am pleased to hear your little one has settled in.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son attended for more than a year and all his days were awesome, thanks for everything, we love you.

Reply from Ravi Mankoo, Director at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your lovely feedback. We loved looking after him, he is a part of our Banana Moon family!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter settled so quickly in this setting. It is lovely to see her flourishing and growing in confidence thanks to the amazing support of all the staff. She genuinely loves going to nursery and I have every confidence leaving her there when I am at work.


The staff quickly learnt her interests

and have creatively used these in different activities.


I would not hesitate to recommend Banana Moon.


Reply from Samantha Pumffrey, Nursery Manager at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your feedback. It's lovely to see how confident she is now and well she is progressing.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A wonderful setting. We feel so fortunate to have people who are as invested in out little girl as we are. Especially in developing the whole person, emotional and social as well as the more academic side.

Reply from Samantha Pumffrey, Nursery Manager at Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham

Thank you for your feedback. We feel incredibly honoured to be able to be a part of her developing as a person.


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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.841)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.841) out of 10 for Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham 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 21 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 21 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 4.841 for Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham is calculated as follows: ( (217 Excellents x 5) + (28 Goods x 4) + (6 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 251 Ratings = 4.841

  • 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 Banana Moon Day Nursery Caversham is based on 21 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 74 number of registered child places is 14.8, which has been reached with 21 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 (5)

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Meet the Team (21)

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Jenna

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2016

I am a fully qualified Nursery Manager with over 15 years of experience in the Early Years sector. I have been with Banana Moon for 4 years since the Nursery opened back in 2016.


I qualified as a nursery nurse in 2009. I have lived and worked in Reading since leaving school and have worked in 2 Nursery settings at that time. I am a very dedicated individual to the companies I have worked for. I pride myself to ensure that the Nursery continues to improve and make positive changes to keep it fresh and exciting for the children, parents and staff.


Working together with parents is key to ensuring each individual child’s needs are met, and I find it so rewarding watching the children grow and develop in an environment I have helped to create with my team by my side.


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Carolyn

Job Title: Nursery Cook

Joined: 2016

I'm Carolyn and I have worked as a chef for the past 15 years. I was head chef in a residential home for the elderly before being employed by Banana Moon. I've been at Caversham for over 3 and half years. I have had experience in many dietary requirements and I'm familiar with allergens. In my spare time I like to make celebration cakes and all forms of baking.


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Munna

Job Title: Teenie moons room leader

Joined: 2019

Hi, my name is Munna. I have 13 years of experience working in childcare. I hold a Level 3 NVQ in Childcare. I have 2 older daughters of my own. I work with the Teenie Moons.


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Tina

Job Title: Assistant Cook

Joined: 2020

Hello,


I'm Tina. I have worked with children for the last 16 years, I was a cook at a school in Lower Early and also the netball coach and I also taught the children to cook. I have found it a happy family experience. In my spare time, I like to cross stitch and I like to get arty! I have 2 grown-up girls.


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Iqra

Job Title: Level 2 Practitioner in the Teenie moons

Joined: 2018

Hi, my name is Iqra, I work in the Teenie Moons. I am Level 2 qualified. I have been with Banana Moon for 6 years. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.


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Devi

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 2022

My previous role was a primary school teacher in Mauritius. I have worked at Banana Moons for 2 years. I work with the Full Moons and I provide French Lessons.


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Lauren

Job Title: Mini Moons Room Leader

Joined: 2022

I am level 3 qualified and I work with the Teenie Moons. I have worked at Banana Moons for 2 years. I have got 8 years experience.


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Allie

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2022

I am level 3 and I have 14 years experience. I have been with Banana Moon for 2 years.


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Catherine

Job Title: Room leader in Full Moons

Joined: 2022

I am Level 3 and I work alongside Devi in the Full Moons. I have got 22 years experience.


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Cheryl Kinton

Job Title: Deputy manager

Joined: 2024

I am level 3 qualified and have worked in childcare for 17 years. I have been at Banana Moons since April this year.


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Jade Chester

Job Title: Baby Moons room leader

Joined: 2023

I have worked for Banana Moons since Sept 2023.


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Abbi Fox-spence

Job Title: Level 3 apprentice

Joined: 2021

I have worked at Banana Moons for 3 years. I work alongside Jade in Baby Moons


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Evie Johnson

Job Title: Level 2 apprentice

Joined: 2024

I have worked at Banana moons Since February this year. I work in Teenie moons.


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Amanda Mills

Job Title: Level 3 preactitioner

Joined: 2024

I have worked in childcare for many years. I work in Baby Moons alongside Munna.


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Amy Reeves

Job Title: Mini Moons room leader

Joined: 2024

I have worked in childcare 10 years. I work alongside Lauren in Minin Moons and have worked at Banana Moons Since June 2024


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Layla Awad

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 2024

Layla joined the team in July 2024. She is qualified Level 6 and works in our Mini Moons room.


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Isobel McLoughlin

Job Title: Nursery apprentice

Joined: 2024

Isobel joined us in November 2024. She is currently doing her level 2 training. She works in our Mini Moons room


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Delehn Grant

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 2023

Delehn works in our Mini Moons room. She has recently completed her Level 2 and is going on to do her level 3 training with us.


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Maria Spokes

Job Title: Nursery practitioner

Joined: 2023

Maria has worked for us since July 2023. She works alongside Catherine in our Full Moons room.


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Nathan Holmes

Job Title: Nursery practitioner

Joined: 2023

Nathan has worked with us since December 2023. He works in our Full moons toom.


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Rebecca Pope

Job Title: Level 3 Trainee

Joined: 2024

Becky started with us in June 2024. She is currently training and works in our Mini moons room.