Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard

Downwood Vineyard, Wimborne Road, Blandford Forum DT11 9HN
Submit a Review
9.9 38 Reviews
  • Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard, Blandford Forum
Other Nurseries you may be interested in:
Group Logo
Nurseries belonging to Bright Horizons Poole Montessori Day Nursery and Preschool
Bright Horizons Poole Montessori Day Nursery and Preschool
9.9
Show Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard on the Map

Care Provided by Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard

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

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • Muddy Monkies Ltd
  • Person in charge
  • Jenni Upton (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 10
  • Total Places for Children
  • 30
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 0 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:45-17:00
    Tuesday 07:45-17:00
    Wednesday 07:45-17:00
    Thursday 07:45-17:00
    Friday 07:45-17:00
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard

  • Between £6.50-£6.00 an hour

  • Fees depend on the age of the child.
    Full day discount
  • Parking

  • All parking on side


Are you the Owner/Manager of Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard? View your Advertising Options

Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard Reviews (38)

Total of 38, showing 1-20
9.9

Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.853) out of 10, based on 9 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard has 38 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 38
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Date Published

38
6
6
9
29

Review from K L (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

As a first time mum i was worried about sending my toddler to nursery but the staff at Muddy Monkeys have supported me every step of the way! They have reassured me and helped my child settle in so quickly! i cannot fault this nursery at all.
All the staff are so lovely and really work closely to
help and support both myself and my toddler.
I think the outdoor environment is absolutely amazing for a little one's development and being able to explore nature to its fullest.
I was really impressed with the safety checks routine they all do daily together.
My child absolutely loves being at this nursery and i wouldn't send him anywhere else.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from K M (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has just started with Muddy Monkies and has settled in very quickly which shows how caring the staff are and how the setting brings out the best in my daughter. She has so much fun there, there is always so much to do, lots of child led play and a lovely warm yurt for them in the colder
days. I would strongly recommend this setting to anyone thinking of starting their child in a pre school setting.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from D R (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I'm so glad I found Muddy Monkies, my daughter has thrived since being here and it's really helped with her confidence. The staff are amazing and keep me up to date. My daughter comes home very happy and never wants to leave. She loves playing in the mud kitchen and climbing trees. She's learnt so much
that you won't get in a standard nursery setting!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Lyndsey D (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little one has had a wonderful experience here. He is excited to go and always bubbly and happy when we pick him up. We get a review of his day from the staff every day at pick up and often during the day, photos of what he's up to. The team communicate with us as parents so well and it is very evident
that they are not only always thinking of the children in their care, but of their families too.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Alexandra A (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This nursery is the best in Blandford. I have two children in it currently. It has been very supportive with speech development, confidence and motor skills. The children have an absolutely amazing time playing outside in all weathers, they have turned into super fit children who can walk miles! This
is the sort of place children are meant to be, outside in nature developing rather than indoors in a couple of rooms during the day. My oldest daughter is due to start school soon and she will be more than readily prepared from this nursery. Funding and hours are reasonably flexible, options of bringing your own lunch in and additional classes (French) alongside. Wonderful caregivers too who build strong bonds with the children. I wouldn't recommend anywhere else!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from E B (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Since starting at Muddy Monkies my daughter's confidence and speech have improved greatly. She is always very happy to be dropped off in the morning and is all smiles when I pick her up at the end of the day. The staff always give me a detailed account of her day at pickup time, and are all friendly
and approachable, even on those cold and wet days!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Sarah H (Mother of Child) published on 9 May 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter absolutely adores her time spent at Muddy Monkies. She has had the most amazing support and she comes home and tells me about things I didn't know! She gets to do so much in the woods, lighting her own fire has been a highlight! She loves sleeping in the yurt and hammocks and she loves the
home-cooked food over the campfire!
Fabulous nursery with fabulous staff in a fantastic setting.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from A W (Mother of Child) published on 22 March 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Wonderful setting - allowing children to be children, exploring and having fun along with growing their confidence. The staff are all lovely and support children to find their own characters and personalities.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Kitty T (Mother of Child) published on 22 March 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very easy to communicate with and easy onboarding. My son loves being outdoors and this is the perfect setting for him to explore and learn new skills in a safe setting. The yurt space is awesome for the chilly days to recoup in comfort.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Dani M (Mother of Child) published on 19 March 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I absolutely love this place! My daughter attends weekly and is incredibly happy going in, has the most amazing time and comes home smiling and laughing telling me all the tales from the day. She loves the staff, they’re caring and keep me updated with everything in a timely manner. It’s an absolutely
beautiful space that is well thought out with learning and nature at the heart of everything, the activities vary and are all fantastic. My son also attends holiday club and loves it just as much, it really makes working during holidays much easier knowing they’re both happy in a safe setting.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from A G (Father of Child) published on 16 March 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Great place for children, highly recommend this nursery to gain extra skills that you wouldn't find at the usual nursery.
Our sons have an enjoyable experience everytime they go and the staff are really good.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Jemma G (Mother of Child) published on 13 March 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It would be impossible to find a better setting for your child to grow, develop and learn. The staff are incredibly caring and dedicated to the well being of the children. All three of my sons love to spend the day at Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard. The holiday club caters for all ages and they have
always created something wonderful out of wood or clay to bring home with them! I am confident that my youngest is now ready to begin school in September with all of the social and practical skills that he needs.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Rebecca L (Mother of Child) published on 13 March 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Absolutely outstanding care provider. The setting is amazing, safe and fun. The staff give a warm welcome every time we attend. Great variety of healthy food for lunch and snack time. My children are so happy to go in and so happy when I pick them up because they've had such a good day. Muddy Monkies
Downwood Vineyard teaches life skills that you won't get in many other settings at such an early age. Very happy with Muddy Monkies overall.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from L P (Mother of Child) published on 8 March 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been at Muddy Monkies for two years now and I can honestly say that it was the best decision I ever made. My son thrives in an environment where play is paramount and they get to be in nature all day, including napping in a hammock. My youngest is starting in April and I can’t wait to hear
all about the adventures he’s going to be having!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Amy jo H (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We sent our son to Muddy Monkies just after his 2nd birthday. He arrived with relatively weak gross motor skills and being a sensitive chap, wasn’t overly communicative.
A year later, our son is developing into a confident, chatty and physically capable little chap. I know Muddy Monkies has played
a fundamental role in his journey so far. The facilities are just phenomenal, and incorporate the curriculum, in such a fun, adventurous way! I am certain, that because of the obstacle course, mud hills and such like, he has now found his physical confidence to ride his balance bike and scooter.
One of the highlights of our son's week, is his French classes. To hear my little
boy singing and reciting words in a foreign language is just incredible!
The staff are just sensational, developing an attachment with both the children and parents. I am always updated with his progress as well as areas needing development, so we can work together for optimum results.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Maria E (Mother of Child) published on 24 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Absolutely amazing nursery. My daughter settled very well she has been going to Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard for some time now and has shown great improvement in her speech; the setting itself is unique like nowhere in Dorset. Amazing staff with so much heart and caring mindset. I would highly recommend.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Z L (Mother of Child) published on 24 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My three children have all attended Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard since they first opened. My middle child attended as a pre-schooler, my youngest from nursery age and both oldest now still attend after school and during school holidays. My only regret is that Muddy Monkies did not exist when my oldest
went to nursery/pre-school. I would not trust anyone else with my children, the bond that the Muddy Monkies staff create with their children is beautiful, my kids still talk about them like they would a loving auntie. Equally, the skills and self confidence that the children gain from this wonderful setting are second to none. I would highly recommend Muddy Monkies to absolutely anyone.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Leigh U (Father of Child) published on 24 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A really incredible setting giving my son amazing experiences, independence skills and satisfying his appetite for being outdoors. I was blown away by the size of the school and everything on offer to him throughout each day. His confidence has skyrocketed and he's always on top of the world at the
end of a day. Couldn't be happier.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Samantha S (Mother of Child) published on 24 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have absolutely nothing but praise for Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard! My son started there when he was two and is now getting ready to go off to school in September, and the progress he has made and continues to make daily is all down to the wonderful, caring and supportive team. The staff go above
and beyond to ensure that my son is well cared for and engaged in activities he loves. The morning and afternoon handovers are extremely thorough, and I get a really good insight into my son's day, which is brilliant. As we approach my son's last term with Muddy Monkies, I would just like to say an enormous thank you for being such a fantastic attachment focused setting, and thank you for bringing out the absolute best in him.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from H B (Mother of Child) published on 24 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our little one has been going to Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard since she was 2, and she’s off to school this September. While we’re excited for the new chapter, we’re really sad she won’t be off to the woods for her days anymore. The staffing is now settled and all the staff are brilliant, they know
the children really well and provide excellent care. The handovers at the end of the day are thorough. It’s been a while since we’ve seen the setting but from what we saw at the initial visit and the photos we get through “baby’s days” the setting looks amazing, even on dreary days there’s lots of space to shelter and the yurt to get cosy. Love the hammocks in the spring/summer, our little one actually sleeps here (doesn’t nap at home ever!). It’s everything we wanted in a childcare facility and we wouldn’t change it, it beats a standard nursery/preschool hands down. We’d highly recommend forest school and Muddy Monkies.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.853)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.853) out of 10 for Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard 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 9 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.9 out of 5 from 9 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 4.953 for Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard is calculated as follows: ( (101 Excellents x 5) + (5 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 106 Ratings = 4.953

  • 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 4.9 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard is based on 9 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 = 3.9

    • 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 30 number of registered child places is 6, which has been reached with 9 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

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (4)

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading events

Meet the Team (0)

There are no Team Members posted yet

Frequently Asked Questions about Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard

What is the Age Range of Children that Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard accepts?

Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard accepts Children aged from 0 years 0 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard Open?

Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard is open: Monday 07:45-17:00, Tuesday 07:45-17:00, Wednesday 07:45-17:00, Thursday 07:45-17:00, Friday 07:45-17:00.

How many Children does Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard have capacity for?

Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard has capacity for a total of 30 Children.

How far is Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard to the centre of Blandford Forum?

1.5 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 Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Muddy Monkies Downwood Vineyard has a Basic Service – more info.