Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

The Old School, Hook-A-Gate, Shrewsbury SY5 8BE
Submit a Review
9.3 18 Reviews
  • Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate, Shrewsbury
Hillside House Nursery is an “Outstanding” setting located in Hook-A-Gate. A small village just outside of Shrewsbury and only a 10 minute drive away from the town centre and surrounding areas including 5 Primary Schools. They offer a comprehensive and stimulating EYFS curriculum that follows children's interest and imagination. Featuring large indoor and outdoor play areas where children engage in exciting activities and free play for young children from birth to five years. They offer Extra Curricular actives for all ages such as "Sing and Sign" "Baby/Toddler Explore" "Crafty Kitchen" and "Kickers".

At Hillside House Nursery All of the Nursery Practitioners are experienced, committed and qualified and have a passion for caring, supporting and developing all children in their early years. They pride themselves on their positive relationships with parents through daily communications, Monthly Newsletters and termly telephone consultations. At Hillside they are a reflective nursery and therefore always welcoming your feedback.

All of the Nursery's meals are prepared on-site daily by the Nursery Cook. Incorporating a well balanced, nutritional and delicious menu. They cater for a range of dietaries, offering substitution to meet their healthy eating award.   

Hillside House is open 51 weeks of the year Monday to Friday from 7:50am to 6.00pm.
For more information please contact the Nursery Manager.

Show Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate on the Map

Care Provided by Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Lucie Preston (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 30
  • Total Places for Children
  • 60
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:50-18:00
    Tuesday 07:50-18:00
    Wednesday 07:50-18:00
    Thursday 07:50-18:00
    Friday 07:50-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

  • Please contact us for a copy of our current fees or for any information on funding.


  • We offer 2, 3 and 4 year old funding.
    Fees include all meals and snacks such as breakfast, homemade lunch/pudding and tea/pudding. Nappy wipes, nappy cream and sun cream.
  • Parking

  • Parking is available onsite.


Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate Reviews (18)

9.3

Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate has a Review Score of 9.3 (9.300) out of 10, based on 8 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate has 18 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 17
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Date Published

18
0
1
8
10

Review from A D (Mother of Child) published on 26 August 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My daughter really loved her time at Millside. She has always wanted to come to nursery and is keen to talk about it afterwards. Impressions of the staff are they're very approachable and communication with the nursery has always been swift and easy. My daughter loved the staff and were kind to her.
I really for possible consideration are a little refresh on toys and books. As they look tired a little more individual or personalised uploads on the app as we know very little day-to-day. Also, reading books to be sent home with preschool children. I asked multiple times if it was happening and was told yes, but nothing ever came of it. This is a shame because it would have been nice to get my daughter ready for school with this task so she wouldn't be surprised when at school. I am aware that the other nurseries to do this.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Tom A (Father of Child) published on 4 January 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent staff who let you know what they have been up to during the day. The facilities are all up to date, clean and tidy. My daughter is always happy to go to nursery and always comes home with a smile.

Reply from Paige Firmstone, Nursery Manager at Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

Thank you for your kind review Tom, it has been our pleasure to support your daughter and family during her time with us at Hillside! We look forward to continuing to care for your family. Kind Regards.


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from A M (Mother of Child) published on 20 December 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All of the staff makes an incredible effort to make both parents and children feel welcome and safe. You can tell how much my baby enjoys it and how she has developed a nice connection with the carers, which makes me feel good as a parent, to leave my baby in their care.

Reply from Paige Firmstone, Nursery Manager at Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

Thank you so much for your lovely words and kind review. We have loved welcoming you to Hillside supporting your Baby and family on the beginning of your nursery journey.


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Ed B (Father of Child) published on 3 October 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Hillside Hook-A-Gate was such a pleasure for our children to attend. The staff seem very attentive and caring. They try hard to stimulate the children to learn.

Reply from Paige Firmstone, Nursery Manager at Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

Hi, thank you very much for your kind words. We really enjoyed being a part of your child's nursery journey at Hillside, and we're pleased we can still support your family.
Many thanks


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from M M (Mother of Child) published on 22 September 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has loved being at Hillside House Nursery. She loves the staff as much as the kids. She also loves the food there is never a complaint about what she has eaten.

Reply from Paige Firmstone, Nursery Manager at Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

Thank you so much for your kind words. We are missing you all! Hope all is well with school life. Please feel free to pop by and see us! Take care,
Paige.


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from E S (Mother of Child) published on 9 August 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both our children have been through Hillside over the past six years. It has been an amazing journey for us all. The staff are supportive, friendly, kind, caring and approachable. We could not have asked for a better early years for our children.

Reply from Lucie Preston, Nursery Manager at Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

Hi, thank you for your kind words, we will miss you all as a family. Please come back and visit us soon!


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Philippa D (Mother of Child) published on 20 July 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have been happy customers of Hillside House Nursery for the past 7 years. Both of my children have had a wonderful experience here. The staff have all been truly amazing over the years; they are caring, professional, enthusiastic and work so very hard to make the children’s nursery days some of the
happiest. They encourage the children to thrive and nurture all of their little individual personalities. I’m sure they have actual magical powers! With only a few months left until my youngest moves on to school, we feel very grateful for the care, love and education Hillside has given to our children. Thank you so very much!

Reply from Lucie Preston, Nursery Manager at Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

Hi
Thank you so much for your kind words, we will miss you all! Please pop by in September so we can see your son in his school uniform.
Many Thanks
Lucie


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Bethan L (Mother of Child) published on 16 June 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff team are all amazing. They care so much about the children. My son really thrived, experiencing such wonderful activities, I cannot recommend this nursery enough! They truly deserve the Outstanding from Ofsted! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Reply from Lucie Preston, Nursery Manager at Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

Thank you so much for your lovely words. We have really enjoyed being a part of your family's Nursery journey at Hillside. We wish you all the best for the future and please come and visit us!


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from M W (Mother of Child) published on 3 November 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot rate Hillside House Nursery highly enough - the staff were kind, cheerful and interested in teaching. Their professionalism was next to none. My daughter felt at home straight away, she was encouraged to be herself and grew daily in confidence.
She started school just turned 4 which made
us very nervous, but Hillside staff set her up so well that she is thriving.
I could not praise this nursery any more highly.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from K W (Mother of Child) published on 12 September 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A wonderful team. A setting maintained to the highest standard and a wonderful atmosphere throughout. All three of my children have attended and the care and attention from the team is wonderful. Highly recommend!

Reply from Lucie Preston, Nursery Manager at Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

Thank you for your review and kind words.
Many thanks.


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from L E (Mother of Child) published on 6 September 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Incredible nursery, such caring and nurturing staff and a wonderful environment for children to develop, learn and grow. So much thought goes into the planning of the day and my children love going. My children loved the food and it was well balanced and full of nutrition. Can't recommend this nursery
enough.

Reply from Lucie Preston, Nursery Manager at Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

Thank you for your kind words. We will miss her very much and hope she enjoys school.
Please come back and visit us when you can.
Many thanks.


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Kerry D (Mother of Child) published on 5 November 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter started at 8-months-old, and the staff have cared for and nurtured her development throughout. I can't recommend Hillside House Nursery enough. Also compared with the feedback I've had from friends about other nurseries. I can only say good things about Hillside. The setting, staff, food,
teaching has all been above and beyond.

Reply from Lucie Preston, Nursery Manager at Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

Hi Kerry, thank you for your kind words. We miss her very much and hope she is doing well at school. Please come back and visit us when you can.
Many thanks.


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Joe E (Father of Child) published on 5 November 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Hillside House Nursery has welcomed our child with open arms into the setting and ensures he is well cared for and enjoys his time there.
As parents, we were very anxious about how he would settle due to Covid, but we were greeted with smiles and felt welcomed from the second we walked in. Our little
boy loves nursery and is always spending his time in the creative or messy area. We have detailed handovers about how he gets on throughout the day, which puts us at ease knowing he is enjoying nursery.

Reply from Lucie Preston, Nursery Manager at Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

Hi Joe, Thank you for your kind words.
Many Thanks.


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from K R (Mother of Child) published on 12 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

What a wonderful place Hillside is! Our daughter is now in her 3rd year at the nursery and has had such an amazing experience. The staff are all so warm and friendly, and the building itself is just lovely - very homely feeling and always immaculately clean. We viewed other nurseries prior to this,
and none of them even came close to the high standards of Hillside House, so much so that we have already reserved a place for our 2nd daughter to start in September 2021. We feel that Hillside has given our daughter the best start in her educational years, and are confident that with their input she will be more than prepared for starting Primary School next year. This review comes with our highest recommendations and urges any new parents that are looking to enrol their child into the nursery to certainly view Hillside House, Hook-a-Gate, you will not be disappointed!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Demi W (Mother of Child) published on 3 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has attended Hillside House since she was 1 years old and has had the most fantastic time. Wonderful teachers and environment to play and learn. The outside play area is great too. I couldn’t recommend this nursery enough!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from J P (Mother of Child) published on 3 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The Hillside family have cared for and guided my two children from the age 1 to preschool age. Prepared them so well for their school journey. A happy and wonderful team, who all work so hard and put their children first. My children have been very happy at Nursery and I highly recommend it.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Gina P (Mother of Child) published on 3 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little boy thoroughly enjoys going to Hillside House, Hook-A-Gate Nursery. The staff are warm, welcoming and offer a very high standard of care. The food available is healthy, homemade and freshly cooked on site. There are often other activities (Crafty Kitchen, Football etc) available too which
is a great added extra! My little boy's beaming smile when we drop him off proves that he feels safe and content whilst in their care.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Kate R (Mother of Child) published on 27 August 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have felt so lucky that my son has been able to attend this nursery.
The staff at Hillside House Hook-A-Gate have been amazing with all the different things they teach the children and the activities they arrange.
The food is lovely and the handovers are detailed.
The actual building is lovely
and clean.
The staff are so happy and I've never been worried about anything while he has been in their care.
Each year we have had a beautiful booklet with Art, photos and observations and I can look back at his time there knowing we made the best choice.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Current Review Score: 9.3 (9.300)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.3 (9.300) out of 10 for Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate 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 8 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.5 out of 5 from 8 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 4.833 for Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate is calculated as follows: ( (82 Excellents x 5) + (12 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 96 Ratings = 4.833

  • 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 4.467 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate is based on 8 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 = 3.8

    • 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 60 number of registered child places is 12. 8 Positive Reviews ÷ 12 = 0.667

  • 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 (6)

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading events

Meet the Team (2)

Lucie

Lucie Preston

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2007

Hello, my name is Lucie, and I am the Nursery Manager at Hillside House Nursery in Hook-A-Gate. Thank you for visiting our Nursery profile.
I aim to support families with their journey into the setting and support both parents and children in any way that I can. I understand that every family is unique and has different needs and I pride myself in developing strong relationships with parents and children to support them as necessary.


I live approximately 8 miles out from Shrewsbury with my partner and son. I have had a busy few years becoming a parent for the first time, extending and renovating our home and adapting to becoming a full-time working mum! I am committed and passionate about early years care and education, and becoming a mother has given me another perspective to draw upon. In my spare time I spend time with my family and friends and love taking my son for fun days out.


My journey into the early years sector started after I left school. I went to full time college gaining a Health and Social Care Level 3 qualification. I then became a full time Nursery Practitioner at Hillside House Nursery and gained my Level 3 in Childcare and Education. I progressed my way up through the nursery gaining experience as a Room Leader in each age range from Baby Room to Pre-School. In 2014 I graduated with a BA honour’s degree in Early Years Leadership. I became Deputy Manager at our sister site initially and then transferred over to the Hook-A-Gate site as Nursery Manager in 2015. I have built strong relationships within the sector including other nurseries, schools and health professionals in the local area.

My key strengths are being ultra-committed, hardworking, I am a good listener, I reflect and improve upon myself and the practice within the nursery and I have the passion and knowledge that ensure high standards are maintained. My main aim is to run a nursery setting that is welcoming, friendly and inclusive and where children receive the best possible care and learning opportunities in every session.


Thank you for taking the time to read this information and I look forward to supporting you and your child in their journey at Hillside House Nursery.


Paige

Paige Firmstone

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2017

Hi, my name is Paige and I am the Deputy Manager at Hillside House Nursery in Hook-A-Gate. Thank you for visiting our Nursery Profile.


I love working with, supporting and helping families in any way that I can to ensure I can meet every family’s individual needs and requirements.
I have been employed at the Hook-A-Gate Nursery since 2017 as a qualified Level 3 Nursery Practitioner and have worked in various roles and age ranges. I have progressed my way up through the organisational structure from Practitioner to Room Leader and now I relish in my role as Deputy Manager. I particularly enjoy supporting my colleague’s professional development and supporting the staff team in their well-being in any way that I can.


I am a very social person and love spending time with my family and friends, organising events, nights out and holidays. I have a very loyal and kind nature and like to be part of a team. This part of my personality helps me in my professional role being able to communicate authentically with children, colleagues, parents and other professionals within the organisation and with outside agencies.


Early in my career I trained and worked in a home-based setting. This gave me a good insight into how different early years settings run and also provided me with really useful experience and skills that I continue to use now to help support children.
I also had an adventurous 6 months working for Disney, running the children’s clubs and creches on the cruise ships. This was an amazing experience, meeting families and colleagues from all over the world.


I have an innate passion for working with children in their early years. I love reading about contemporary practice and have a real love for ‘hygge’ and ‘Curiosity Approach’ practices which I have incorporated into our everyday environments here at Hook- A-Gate Nursery. I am proud to have created calm, natural and homely environments, with real life objects and exciting set ups for all ages of children and I continue to support staff to implement this ethos in their rooms also.


Thank you for taking the time to read this information and I look forward to supporting you and your child in their journey at Hillside House Nursery in Hook-A-Gate.


Frequently Asked Questions about Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate

What is the Age Range of Children that Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate accepts?

Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate Open?

Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate is open: Monday 07:50-18:00, Tuesday 07:50-18:00, Wednesday 07:50-18:00, Thursday 07:50-18:00, Friday 07:50-18:00.

How many Children does Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate have capacity for?

Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate has capacity for a total of 60 Children.

How far is Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate to the centre of Shrewsbury?

2.6 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 Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Hillside House Nursery - Hook-A-Gate has an Enhanced Service – more info.