Holly Lodge Nursery

Holly Lodge Mansions, Oakeshott Avenue, Highgate, London N6 6ED
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9.9 51 Reviews
  • Holly Lodge Nursery, London
Holly Lodge Nursery is situated in Highgate. It is a spacious and airy nursery which uses the surrounding area, incorporating nature in the syllabus to teach and develop children.

Holly Lodge Nursery pride themselves on being a home from home nursery environment for children aged 6 months through to 5 years.

The nurseries have large, bright open plan rooms, with creative outdoor play areas and a variety of modern equipment which provides children with a stimulating environment.

They create personalised planned activities to keep children engaged whilst having lots of fun.

Trained staff give children the stimulating, educational learning environment in which children can thrive and grow.

The nursery holds a current Ofsted rating of 'Good' (January 2022).

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Care Provided by Holly Lodge Nursery

  • Type of Service
  • Nursery School – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Open term time
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Alketa Malaj (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 11
  • Registered Charity Number
  • 1096655
  • Total Places for Children
  • 22
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 6 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
  • School Holidays

Funding & Fees Guide for Holly Lodge Nursery

  • Fee Structure.
    Full day service: 10 hours - 8.00am - 6.00pm = £90.00.
    Half Day - 5 hours: 8.00am - 1.00pm / 1.00pm - 6.00pm = £45.00.
    Core day - 7.5 hours: 9.00 - 4.30pm / 9.30am - 5.00pm =£67.50.

  • We also accommodate children in receipt of 15 and 30 hours National Education Funding.

Holly Lodge Nursery Reviews (51)

Total of 51, showing 1-20
9.9

Holly Lodge Nursery has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.911) out of 10, based on 16 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Holly Lodge Nursery has 51 reviews.

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Review from Jo B (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Holly Lodge Nursery has provided a warm, nurturing "home away from home" for my daughter (now at school) and my son, who still attends.
My partner and I have always felt that the staff and management at this nursery genuinely care about and are fond of our children. They take pleasure in and celebrate
their achievements and progress.
Since the nursery is small, with one room for babies and another for older toddlers/preschoolers, it has a cosy and homely feel. All the children know each other and they form bonds with staff across both rooms.
There is a chef on site who prepares lovely home-cooked food - my children have often eaten far better at nursery than they do at home!
The nursery is located in a green, peaceful area on the Holly Lodge Estate, and it feels like a safe haven away from the bustle of the city.
We are very grateful for all the love and care the staff and managers have given our children over the years, and would highly recommend Holly Lodge Nursery to anyone.

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Review from D C (Mother of Child) published on 14 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We moved from the USA and were fortunate to find Holly Lodge-a truly wonderful nursery. From the very start, the team and management went above and beyond to help us settle in, making the transition smooth for both our children and ourselves.


The staff create such a warm, calm, and stimulating environment,

and our kids absolutely love and admire their teachers. The team's flexibility and attentiveness to our children's needs (and, honestly, our own) made all the difference in helping us find our way in a new country.


We couldn't be more grateful-thank you!


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Review from Y A (Father of Child) published on 14 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We've had both our children attend Holly Lodge and feel incredibly grateful to have found this wonderful nursery.


Above all, we appreciate the exceptional staff, who create a nurturing, calm, and stimulating environment. Our kids are always excited to arrive each morning, and getting them to leave

in the afternoon is no easy task! The team has been wonderfully flexible and accommodating-not just to our children's needs but, if we're honest, to ours as well-making the settling-in process smooth and reassuring.


A heartfelt thank you from us!


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Review from E T (Mother of Child) published on 13 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our one year old daughter recently started at Holly Lodge and she has been enjoying her days there. The management and staff made her settling in a very natural and relaxed process, which was so amazing as I was so worried about her starting. She is really thriving, it's great to see! Really looking
forward to our future at Holly Lodge Nursery.

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Review from Melanie E (Mother of Child) published on 13 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I absolutely love Holly Lodge, there's a great energy there, it's a really special nursery! My son has been there for the last 18 months. Every single staff member is lovely, so friendly, caring, and kind! I know my son is being looked after well, and that he feels loved there! HL have always done what
they can to help if I contact them with a question or request! I couldn't be happier with the nursery :)

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Review from J P (Mother of Child) published on 13 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My eldest son came here from June 2021 through July 2023. He moved up to school at 3 and actually in hindsight should have kept him at Holly Lodge. It was is home away from home; he talks today about how happy he was there and how he loves the staff (whom he gets to see regularly still because his little
brother goes here). Little brother has gone from April 2024 through now. He loves going, runs out the door in the morning excited to go. The nursery feels very inviting, is flexible (oats with my breastmilk!), supporting of gentle parenting techniques, and will try to observe the process instead of overly praise. They invite you to join at nursery once a term. The new manager, since March 2023, has kept the home from home ethos but added structure while improving the overall vibe. Much of the staff there today were there for my older son too; nursery feel like part of our family. Hopefully when the weather improves they will go to the estate gardens more!

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Review from Matt P (Father of Child) published on 13 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Holly Lodge Nursery has been fantastic at helping settle our little girl into nursery. She initially cried at most drop-offs, but the staff and the manager were incredibly patient and kind with her. Eventually she settled, and now thoroughly enjoys her days at the nursery, and bounces out to meet me
with a smile on her face. A big thanks to everyone. Holly Lodge Nursery is a very welcoming and calm environment, and regularly hosts events where you can meet other parents and their kids.

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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am so pleased we found Holly Lodge Nursery. We were highly recommended it by two parents, and it has been as friendly, gentle and flexible a space as we were told. My son is 22 months and started this January, a month ago. The management were really helpful in reassuring me before he started and were
very helpful and flexible when I decided to postpone his start date. The staff there make it so special- all are calm, so sweet with the children and really invested in getting to know them. They give a nice handover one to one each pick up so I know how his day has been. They have run a number of parents events which I havent been able to make yet but I hope to soon. It shows their investment in creating community at the nursery.

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Review from Jess F (Mother of Child) published on 13 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have been with Hollylodge since 2020 - our second child is there now. We love it. The quality of care shown by staff is excellent - they really know our children and the enormous affection both our children have shown towards their key workers is testament to the care they receive. The flexible hours
have made it possible for us to balance work and nursery fees - something we understand is rare in a nursery setting. We always feel our children are safe. The setting of the nursery is lovely, tucked away under trees and we love all the outdoor activities they do. We don't have a garden at home, so in the summer it is lovely to know the children get to play outside. We also have loved the nursery for the amount of art they do with the children, the lack of screen time and the flexibility towards the identity of individual children (allowing our children to keep bringing in their comfort toy/ respecting our sons enjoyment of clothes and decoration).

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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is a lovely small nursery at the heart of the Holly Lodge Estate, away from main roads and close to Waterloo Park and other small green spaces. They recently purchased some new wooden climbing frames which the children love.The staff are wonderful and the nursery runs plenty of activities for the
children, as well as events for family member to participate in. My little boy has been at the nursery since he was just under 12 months and continues to love it there.

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Review from Jay S (Father of Child) published on 13 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our little daughter, who has just turned 2, absolutely loves going to nursery.
She's always talking about her teachers, her friends, what she gets up to, and comes home proud of what she's accomplished (little bits of artwork in particular!). We are so lucky to have such thoughtful and caring people
in these formative times of her life, and are very grateful to the staff for always going above and beyond and showing her such love.
Our older daughter, who is now 7 and in year 2 at school, had wonderful years at Holly Lodge Nursery too, and it's in no small part due to them that she was so ready to go to school and out into the world; she is always pleased to come back and pick up her little sister after school and see her old nursery. Thank you so much.

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Review from Ayesha L (Mother of Child) published on 13 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff work really hard to make the nursery a home away from home for the children. It is a small nursery where all the staff including the chef and manager know the children. They do a wide variety of activities, both indoor and outdoor play and my son has thrived there. They have worked hard to
encourage his development and have treated him (and us) with so much kindness and love. Sending him to Holly Lodge was one of the best decisions that we made and we will be sad when it's time for our son to leave.

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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A lovely and professional manager, along with a fantastic team, who provided great support in helping my child settle in quickly and comfortably. The staff are always friendly, approachable, and attentive, creating a warm and nurturing atmosphere. Everything appears to be very well-organized, and the
environment feels happy, positive, and engaging for the children. I truly appreciate the care and effort they put into making sure both children and parents feel welcome and supported. I also love the coffee morning they organized to bring all the parents together-it was a great way to connect and feel part of the community.

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Review from Krisztian P (Father of Child) published on 15 August 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter started at Holly Lodge when she turned one and she stayed there for the following 18 months. The only reason we left the nursery was due to moving to a different area. This is a wonderful place, the nursery is situated at the heart of Holly Lodge Estate surrounded by greenery. This is a
very small nursery where the staff and kids know each other really well. The staff was extremely welcoming and accommodating, our daughter loved going to the nursery where they taught her valuable skills, songs, and games. Her carers gave her so much love and attention - here is a big shout-out to two staff members, who are simply brilliant. We were extremely satisfied with the rest of the staff as well and would highly recommend the nursery to anyone. This is a very special place, don't miss it! Thank you for everything.

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Review from Falli P (Mother of Child) published on 21 May 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We couldn't be happier with our experience at Holly Lodge Nursery. Our son settled in smoothly, thanks to the loving environment provided by the staff. In just eight months, he's blossomed into a confident and sociable little one, forming strong bonds with both his caregivers and friends. He just loves
going to the nursery! The support we received in navigating milestones like ditching the dummy and overcoming 'fussy eater' habits was invaluable. The nursery's serene setting, nestled away from traffic amidst nature, provides the perfect backdrop for outdoor play. Holly Lodge has become a second home where our son thrives. We wholeheartedly recommend it to any parent seeking a nurturing and enriching environment for their child.

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Review from Clothilde B (Mother of Child) published on 30 March 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are very happy with Holly Lodge Nursery.
The staff are fantastic, and they do all that they can to take care of the children.
The senior staff are very knowledgeable and very attentive to all the needs of the children. My daughter is very happy to go there.

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Review from Shelika B (Mother of Child) published on 18 March 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has settled so well into Holly Lodge Nursery. He has learned so many skills. The staff are really loving and care for my son with love.
It is a really homely feel nursery, and I'm grateful that my son goes here, and my second child will also be at Holly Lodge too! Thank you to all the staff
for settling my son so well after much anxiety.

Reply from Alketa Malaj, Manager at Holly Lodge Nursery

Thank you so much for your lovely review. We look forward to having your second baby with us!


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Review from Laura H (Mother of Child) published on 19 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been at Holly Lodge Nursery since she was 10 months and will soon be 4. It’s a huge part of her life and she loves going there. The staff are very supportive to her individual needs, and they encourage her to grow in confidence and personality. Holly Lodge Nursery was very supportive
throughout covid, providing regular communication and zoom meetings for the children to stay in touch, which meant so much in those early months. We’re very grateful for all the wonderful members of staff (past and present) who have formed such meaningful bonds with our daughter, and for all their hard work and dedication. We couldn’t recommend it enough!

Reply from Alketa H. Malaj, Manager at Holly Lodge Nursery

Thank you for sharing your positive experience as a parent at Holly Lodge and for recommending our nursery to others.
It means so much to us!


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Review from A K (Mother of Child) published on 11 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has been at Holly Lodge for just over a year, starting there when he was ten months old. From the beginning, the staff have been friendly and supportive, and we feel 100% comfortable leaving him in their care.
Holly Lodge is a small, community focused nursery, which was very important to us
when choosing a location. It has two lovely rooms and the outdoor area has recently been improved. Our son absolutely loves going there every day!
The staff take great care selecting appropriate and fun activities for the children, and it's lovely to see the relationships he builds with his carers and other children.
We have recommended Holly Lodge to friends and know they are equally as pleased as we are, so really cannot rate it highly enough.

Reply from Alketa H. Malaj, Manager at Holly Lodge Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a such a positive review. Your feedback is very much appreciated!


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Review from Francesca P (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We've been very happy with Holly Lodge Nursery over the six months that my three-year-old son has been attending it. It was our first nursery experience and a very positive one for us all. Its small size means there's a family atmosphere, and the manager and all the team are really caring and considerate,
friendly people. I have had no qualms about leaving my son in their care. I know they provide lots of support and encouragement to him - and cuddles too when needed! They provide us with frequent updates online and in person and an end-of-year parents' evening where we discussed all aspects of my son's progress.
My son enjoys all the activities that the nursery offers and the food which is prepared fresh on-site. We have also enjoyed a day trip to the zoo and various parties at the nursery to celebrate eg the Queen's Jubilee to which the parents have been invited.
Overall this has been a wonderful nursery for us and I just wish it was open all-year round!

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.911)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.911) out of 10 for Holly Lodge Nursery 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 16 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 16 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 4.911 for Holly Lodge Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (174 Excellents x 5) + (17 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 191 Ratings = 4.911

  • 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 Holly Lodge Nursery is based on 16 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 22 number of registered child places is 4.4, which has been reached with 16 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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Meet the Team (1)

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Alketa H. Malaj

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2020

Alketa is our Centre Manager and is a L7 qualified Nursery Manager. Alketa holds a Degree in Early Years and an Early Years Professional Status. In addition, Alketa has a level 4 certificate in teaching adults and an award in Leadership and Management Alketa holds a pediatric first aid, and a level 2 food hygiene certificate, and is also trained as a safeguarding lead for the nursery.


Frequently Asked Questions about Holly Lodge Nursery

What is the Age Range of Children that Holly Lodge Nursery accepts?

Holly Lodge Nursery accepts Children aged from 0 years 6 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Holly Lodge Nursery Open?

Holly Lodge Nursery 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 Holly Lodge Nursery have capacity for?

Holly Lodge Nursery has capacity for a total of 22 Children.

How far is Holly Lodge Nursery to the centre of London?

4.3 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 Holly Lodge Nursery to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Holly Lodge Nursery has a Platinum Service – more info.