Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club

65-67 High Street, Moffat DG10 9HG
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10 34 Reviews
  • Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club, Moffat
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Care Provided by Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club

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

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club
  • Person in charge
  • Catherine Jackson (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 20
  • Total Places for Children
  • 36
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 6 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-17:45
    Tuesday 07:30-17:45
    Wednesday 07:30-17:45
    Thursday 07:30-17:45
    Friday 07:30-17:45
  • When Closed
  • School Winter Holidays, Easter Weekend, One week in Summer Holidays

Funding & Fees Guide for Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club

  • All fees can be found on the website as these vary according to the sessions required.
  • Parking

  • There is free parking on the High Street, but allow time to find a space as it can get busy during weekdays.


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Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club Reviews (34)

Total of 34, showing 1-20
10

Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club has a Review Score of 10 (10.000) out of 10, based on 11 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club has 34 reviews.

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Review from Dawn Jane K (Mother of Child) published on 18 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Such an incredible nursery. More than a nursery a family. They welcomed my little boy with open arms from Italy. And I will forever be grateful to them for the caring transition and inclusivity.


Their outdoor programme is incredible and my child speaks incredible english after a few short months.

All teachers have a positive discipline approach and the children are always happy and calm.


Their outdoor curriculum absolutely blew me away. My son is never sick and absolutely loves his outdoor environment.


Can't praise them enough.


Reply from Catherine Jackson, Owner /Manager at Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club

Thank you so much for your review Dawn! We have loved having your little one whilst you have been living in Scotland and will miss you when you return to Italy! Come back again, next time you are over!


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Review from Kathryn S (Mother of Child) published on 13 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has been at Wise Owls Nursery for nearly two years and has loved it right from his very first settling-in sessions. What better review can there be than him running into nursery each morning without looking back?! He loves getting to spend so much time outdoors and in the community, and we love
knowing that he's in the best hands - learning through play and exploration. The decision to leave your child in someone else's care is a daunting one but I am delighted with the experiences he is getting at such a young age. The regular updates and photos of him enjoying himself are a highlight of my week! It's clear how much all the WON staff care about the children, taking the time to get to know each of them as individuals and tailoring activities to their interests/developmental needs as well as, of course, taking the best care of them on a pastoral level. The fresh, homemade food is another highlight!

Reply from Catherine Jackson, Owner /Manager at Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club

Thank you! We also aim to be flexible with following the child's lead - so when your son wanted to move rooms, we responded to that with flexibility; likewise, if they need a little more time in a room, that can be arranged too!


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Review from A G (Father of Child) published on 13 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Wise Owls offers a truly wonderful experience for our kids. I would not hesitate in recommending it to other parents in our area. There is a heavy emphasis on outdoor learning which we consider to be especially valuable - not just in a garden or public park but in their own bespoke Forest School in
nearby woodland. They get homemade food cooked on site, with great variety, and a vast array of activities to keep them interested, learning, entertained and, importantly for a working family of a weeknight, to tire them out!

Reply from Catherine Jackson, Owner/Manager at Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club

Thank you - our home-cooked food is a big draw for families as children often eat more when they see their peers eating - win-win!


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Review from Jill R (Grandmother of Child) published on 13 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot praise this nursery enough!! What the staff do is above and beyond! They truly give the children a truly magical experience of nature and forest life! I can honestly say I am so so happy and grateful that my two grandchildren have had the experience of this wonderful nursery!

Reply from Catherine Jackson, Owner /Manager at Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club

Thank you for your review! We don't want your grandchild to leave to go to school!


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Review from Charlotte G (Mother of Child) published on 13 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our children have attended Wise Owls for 4 years and 2 years respectively and it has become a hugely important part of their lives. They run in without looking back, and come bouncing home chatting about their day. They love all the staff and count them among their friends. I don't know of any other
nursery locally that offers the range of experiences that Wise Owls do; home-from-home environment, outdoor learning, specialist speech and language therapy, amazing home-cooked meals, additional family events and training opportunities (I attended a brilliant first aid last year). One of the big highlights is their passion for forest school. My son can tell me the names of different trees, animal life cycles and seasonal changes. I regularly get photo updates of him sitting up trees and smile picking beech nuts out of his pockets when he gets home as I know it's a sign he's had another brilliant day. Wise Owls is not just a nursery, it's a way of life! I can't recommend enough.

Reply from Catherine Jackson, Owner /Manager at Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club

Thank you! We really do love getting out into nature and we learn as much from your child as he does from us!


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Review from K K (Mother of Child) published on 11 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Wise Owls (unlike other nurseries I viewed) offered a settling-in phase when my 1.5y.o son first started attending here at the start of December 24. It really helped me and him adjust to the idea of nursery and the staff have gone the extra mile to ensure he settled in well. They are great at communicating
and always send updates throughout the day which is great peace of mind, knowing he is being well cared for. He now attends 4 full days a week and I am so thankful I found this little gem. He absolutely loves it and runs in every morning, happy to see any member of staff at the door. They are really outdoorsy and always do lots of exploring with the kids which is great. All staff are very friendly and welcoming. It feels like home!

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Review from Kate K (Mother of Child) published on 11 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have two children at Wise Owls. I would easily argue that it is the best nursery in all of Dumfries and Galloway. The focus on outdoor learning is something I really believe in and it is clear how much my children benefit from it. The care and attention that goes in to daily activities allows my children
to come home and have a great discussion about what they've done. I have seen them thrive in this environment, to the point it makes dropping them off a doddle which can always be a nightmare for parents. They also put such an emphasis on a variety of meal choices which I am so grateful for as a parent as it again, makes my life so much easier knowing that their palette is being extended and tested out with the home environment. Any parents in the area, I always recommend them to at least visit WO before deciding where their child goes as the environment is safe and comforting for children to thrive in.

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Review from A S (Mother of Child) published on 3 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

As a mother with multiple children at Wise Owls, in all the different rooms at the nursery, it is wonderful to be able to drop them off and be secure in knowing they will have the best day. The staff are fantastic at reassuring child (and parent) when some mornings are tricky and always update me quickly
once my child is happy and settled. The activities differ and vary across rooms and interests of my kids. The food offered is the best I have experienced, with the standard, variety and structure. My children first learned the sign for 'more' at nursery, as they would ask for more food before they could talk! Having worked in education, I am impressed with the level of interaction and reporting and I know that my oldest child is in the best place they can be until they begin P1. This will be with the additional comfort of Wise Owls offering wrap-around care once at school, allowing me to continue working and to support and aid the transition from nursery to P1.

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Review from Kate N (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has been attending Wise Owls Nursery for almost a year now and he absolutely loves the nursery, staff and his peers. From the settling-in sessions, the nursery took a lot of time to get to know him as an individual and what he might want/need to feel comfortable. It really is an extension of
our home environment. With regular ‘focus child’ weeks the nursery asks about his specific interests and learning requirements. We get excellent updates and lovely pictures and videos of him. He is such a confident and bright little boy as a result of his interactions with the nursery. He loves the outdoors so Wise Owls is perfect for him as they make every effort to be outdoors whatever the weather! The bond he has with his care workers is heartwarming and they always take time to check he’s okay if he has been unwell or say ‘hello’ if we bump into them outside of the nursery. As a first-time parent, they made the nursery transition much easier!

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Review from Kirsty P (Mother of Child) published on 24 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son started at Wise Owls Nursery in February and we were so impressed from the get-go. Right from our initial enquiry, we were made to feel so welcome and were given a wealth of information to help us learn about both the ethos and logistics before enrolling our son. The settling-in sessions helped
our son get used to the staff and the new environment and by his first full day he was really happy.
The staff are all incredible and got to know our son really quickly and learn about his wants and needs. They are very communicative and send regular updates on how our son is getting on, both in terms of his formal learning and development, as well as the fun the babies have been having throughout the week.
Wise Owls feels like more than a nursery, with regular out of hours activities organised for parents and children, such as baby groups, grandparent open days and wellbeing walks. We are delighted to be part of such a caring and inclusive nursery and can't thank the staff enough!

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Review from Nicola G (Mother of Child) published on 24 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been attending Wise Owls Nursery since February of this year. As a first time parent I was naturally apprehensive, but the owner put my mind immediately at ease. I appreciated the time she took with us during our initial visit. I felt a warm welcome and an immediate connection and interest
in our eleven month old baby; her interests, character, etc. Since then I have been grateful for the regular updates we receive, plus the detailed feedback we get as a result of her being a 'focus child'. Our daughter has become noticeably more confident, happy, and outgoing since starting at Wise Owls and I can't understate the valuable input of her key worker and other staff who care for her. Her interests are pursued and supported at nursery, along with exposure to new experiences and freedom to explore and create in a safe and supported environment. I cannot rate Wise Owls highly enough.

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Review from Kevin D (Father of Child) published on 1 February 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Wise Owls Nursery has given us hope! I wish we had found this treasure of an environment sooner for our son. He has been diagnosed with verbal dyspraxia. He really found it hard in his previous nursery and was getting upset really not wanting to attend. Not being able to communicate his needs he found
it hard to interact with his peers. Having a vast knowledge in speech therapy the manager gave us confidence. She has supported us with his speech therapy giving advice and taking time to work with our child. She explains to his peers his difficulties and encourages them to support using a collaborative approach to play and learning. We have seen his confidence grow and he is now really engaging with others and his will to communicate has grown. We are more confident now in his transition to school. It is well worth the 70-mile commute. The forest school outdoor education is well suited to my son. They keep us updated with regular communication, photos and a food diary through the app.

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Review from Joanne N (Mother of Child) published on 17 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter (aged 19months now) has attended this nursery since September 2020 and has developed immensely since then in all her milestones. As a premature baby and growing up during the covid pandemic, we were extremely concerned about her development particularly her social skills, speech and language,
fine motor and gross motor skills but with the wonderfully attentive and caring staff at Wise Owls, we feel they have really helped her to progress in all areas. She is continuing to grow and develop at the same rate as her peers. As she was on the lower end of her height and weight centiles from birth, we have always been diligent about providing a nutritious and varied diet. Being a breastfed baby, I was always focused on ensuring she had enough fluids throughout the day. Staff at this nursery have always listened to these concerns and taken into consideration our requests and demands. At times, therefore, their focus on healthy homemade cooking was important to us, when we were choosing a childcare placement.

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Review from Victoria G (Mother of Child) published on 17 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are so pleased with Wise Owls nursery. Our girls love going in and are always happy when they come out at the end of the day. The staff always go above and beyond to update us on the children’s progress. They send out regular updates about what the children have been doing and also aim to have a
high level of observations completed too. They are always thinking of new activities for the children and sharing their learning with hints and tips for how we can further their development. Our oldest is always full of stories when we show her the pictures and our youngest beams when she sees herself and her peers playing together.

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Review from Sarah C (Mother of Child) published on 17 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I would have no hesitation in recommending Wise Owls to other parents, all staff and management are extremely knowledgeable and genuinely care about each child. Children are well taken care of and nurtured in all aspects of their growth. Each child is made to feel included and respected. My daughter
has come on leaps and bounds since starting at the nursery and looks forward to going every day. All of the staff have a lovely way with them and even the chef has a hand in teaching the children some cooking skills. Parents are lucky to have such a fantastic childcare provision right on our doorstep.

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Review from Mary L (Mother of Child) published on 17 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been going to Wise Owls since the first lockdown and we think she has had excellent care there. We like the opportunities for exploration and outdoor experiences our daughter has daily and the nursery makes good use of the resources nearby including forest, parks and fields. The nursery
building itself is well thought out, bright, spacious and homely. The management takes a well-balanced view of striving to keep everyone safe without stifling our child. Our daughter has great relationships with her carers and the practitioners involved with her are caring and attentive. I think there is a good, nurturing, culture here. Communication from the Nursery has been excellent throughout via the App and directly from staff. We are very happy entrusting our daughter to Wise Owls.

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Review from Ciara S (Mother of Child) published on 14 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A nursery in a million! Home-cooked meals, forest schooling, curiosity approaches and staff who are nurturing and highly trained, Wise Owls has it all. Our little boy is blossoming in the care of the (Wise Owls Nursery) WON team. We love to follow his progress through the Famly App too, which gives
him a lovely visual cue to discuss his daily adventures. Keep up the impressive work everyone.

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Review from R F (Mother of Child) published on 14 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Such a wonderful, homely nursery. Staff are super friendly, fun, caring and encouraging. My children absolutely love going to Wise Owls Nursery and out of school care. All the food is cooked from scratch on site, I've even asked for the recipes myself as the food is so loved. There's a great impetus
for child-led and outdoor play whilst being nurturing and educational, with a fun packed private garden, frequent trips to the local woods, river, park. The kids feel empowered and loved. I couldn't ask for more from a childcare setting.

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Review from Edward M (Father of Child) published on 14 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Superb nursery. I have noticed such an improvement in my daughter from socialising to communication. The staff are great at keeping us up to date via the family app, showing all change times, the food she eats and even when she naps. Would highly recommend Wise Owls.

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Review from Morgan O (Mother of Child) published on 14 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Wise Owls continues to be a nurturing and stimulating environment for my son. I’ve noticed his confidence, verbal and social skills and general knowledge rocket recently. He soaks up every bit of learning at Wise Owls like a little sponge and then applies it to everyday life. The team at Wise Owls are
incredibly talented, patient and supportive and provide a safe and exciting environment for the little ones to grow.

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Current Review Score: 10.0 (10.000)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (10.000) out of 10 for Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 11 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 11 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 5.000 for Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club is calculated as follows: ( (132 Excellents x 5) ) ÷ 132 Ratings = 5

  • 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 Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club is based on 11 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 36 number of registered child places is 7.2, which has been reached with 11 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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Frequently Asked Questions about Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club

What is the Age Range of Children that Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club accepts?

Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club accepts Children aged from 0 years 6 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club Open?

Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club is open: Monday 07:30-17:45, Tuesday 07:30-17:45, Wednesday 07:30-17:45, Thursday 07:30-17:45, Friday 07:30-17:45.

How many Children does Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club have capacity for?

Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club has capacity for a total of 36 Children.

How far is Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club to the centre of Moffat?

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

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club has a Basic Service – more info.