"Brilliant nursery, caring staff, accomodating of our child's needs. Open and regular communication to ensure parents and nursery staff are…"
Read all 87 reviews
75 Places
Location Type
Day Nursery
Holly House Nursery is part of a chain of nurseries - Clear Day Nurseries. The Nursery offers a loving homely environment for your child. Holly House has been established for over 20 years offering ... Read more
"The nursery provides a warm, nurturing, and safe environment that immediately puts both babies and us parents at ease. The staff are…"
Read all 66 reviews
65 Places
Location Type
Day Nursery
First Steps Junior Academy offers a loving homely environment for your child. First Steps has been a vital part of the community for many years. The large house has been renovated and extended to ... Read more
Type of Nursery
Day Nursery
Open all year
Full Day Care
Sessional Day Care
Clear Day Nurseries Reviews in County Armagh (153)
9.9
Clear Day Nurseries has a Group Review Score of 9.9 (9.851) out of 10. The Group Review Score is calculated using the average from all locations with a Review Score, and in addition 75%+ of all locations belonging to Clear Day Nurseries must have a Review Score.
from I G (Mother of Child) published on 20 April 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
The nursery provides a warm, nurturing, and safe environment that immediately puts both babies and us parents at ease. The staff are attentive, caring, and clearly experienced, showing genuine affection and patience. It's reassuring to see how well they understand individual needs, from feeding routines
to nap schedules, and how thoughtfully they communicate updates throughout the day.
The space itself is clean, bright, and well-organized, with age-appropriate toys and sensory activities that support early development. There's a lovely balance between structured play and free exploration, allowing babies to grow at their own pace while still being gently guided.
What stands out most is the strong sense of trust the nursery builds with families. Staff are approachable and always willing to listen or offer advice. Overall, it's a wonderful environment where babies feel secure, stimulated, and cared for
from C B (Father of Child) published on 27 March 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
Brilliant nursery, caring staff, accomodating of our child's needs. Open and regular communication to ensure parents and nursery staff are on the same page. Would highly recommend Holly House to all parents!
from Ionela-Cristina M (Mother of Child) published on 27 March 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
I am delighted with all the care, staff and all education and activities that my son is receiving at Holly House.
I am glad that I choose this nursery for my son. Also happy with all development that my son is achieving every day.
from David M (Father of Child) published on 27 March 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
Our child has been attending First Steps since 2024 and has progressed from the Baby Room to the Toddler Room. The manager and girls in the rooms made the transition seemless, allowing our child to quickly build bonds with her new supervisors and friends in the new room. The team are friendly, engaging,
helpful and transparent. Communication is always very good from management and there is great clarity of any events or closures on the horizon. We now have our second child on the way, and we are relieved to have the confidence that they will have an enjoyable future with First Steps too.
from R W (Mother of Child) published on 12 February 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
My son started in Holly House in November. He is still really struggling with drop offs and I couldnt praise the staff enough for how they handle my son when he is in such a state. Staff are so caring & considerate. I normally get a communication, usually a picture within 30 minutes of leaving my
son off, just to assure me he has settled and is doing well. My son comes home after nursery and tells us how much fun he has had - i couldnt recommend Holly House enough!
from Sophie H (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending first steps now for around 5 months, it was difficult for me to leave my child as she is my first but the girls at first steps couldn't have been better! They were so supportive of not only me but my daughter! They made us both feel so welcome and helped us relax into
this new routine.
The girls really provide a person centred approach in my opinion for each child- ensuring they are doing anything they can to make life easier for them- it is very clear that the staff there really care about each child. My daughter loves going in to see to see the girls and goes to them with open arms! Staff from all around the building are so friendly, chatty and caring. The staff show such a positive attitude everyday and are so thoughtful- I couldn't ask for better girls to care for my daughter
from N G (Mother of Child) published on 2 January 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
First Steps has been brilliant, our son loves going to the toddler room two days per week. The daycare have great ladies who care for the children, it was daunting sending ur first and only child somewhere but he has so much fun. His development with speech, colours, numbers and nursery rhymes has come
along amazingly and I have the girls in the daycare to thank. We have the app which shows us all the great activities he gets involved in daily from art to baking and outdoor play. It's been the best place for our son while we are at work. Thank you ladies
from Ashleigh M (Mother of Child) published on 2 January 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
Excellent daycare, friendly and caring staff and brilliant facilities for kids of all ages. My son has been attending from he was 9 months old and loves going the days he attends. The nutrition of the meals is also brilliant and considers what the kids need for fuel.
from S E (Mother of Child) published on 29 December 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
We are always recommending First Steps to anyone who asks.
All of the staff are so friendly and caring and our children absolute love going to daycare.
The care and attention that the staff provide is clear every day and they're always able to give a thorough run down of our kids' days at pick up.
It provides great reassurance knowing our kids are being so well looked after whenever we're at work.
from Oonagh M (Mother of Child) published on 15 December 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at Holly House since she was 10 months old. She is just about to turn 3 and she loves it there. The staff work tirelessly to care for all of the children's needs and make plenty of time for fun and developmental activities. My husband and I feel so content, knowing that our wee
girl is so happy and so well cared for there. We can't praise all the staff enough! They all know her name, even staff from other rooms or who don't work directly with the children. To me, that really shows the ethos of the nursery - the children are central to all that they do. Also a quick note about the food - my daughter eats like a queen! The food provides a varied, nutritious diet. My daughter will eat most things, but I think the menu caters to children with plainer tastes too.
from Rachael O (Mother of Child) published on 11 September 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
My little boy started Holly House this month and was settling in to the pre school room. The staff have been excellent, with nothing being too much trouble. Holly House have been so welcoming and helpful and my little boy has settled very well. It is an excellent, well run nursery with a really lovely
from Sinead T (Mother of Child) published on 13 August 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
Holly House has been the best nursery I could have asked for for my son. They have gone above and beyond what I would have expected a nursery to do for the children, and the kind gestures they do to show appreciation for their parents as well as the children has always really been such a lovely touch.
My son has been with them since he was a baby and he's had a blast in the preschool room in particular. Holly House have been so good at giving them trips and fun experiences, again which I never would have expected. The activities and projects they do are teaching the little ones so much and in such a fun and exciting way. As a parent, I love the layout of the rooms - they're so spacious, clean and it has a really homely feel. All the children get on so well with other too. Everything Holly House has done for my son could not be more appreciated by us. We will truly miss everyone when my son starts preschool in September. Holly House are the best!
from M E (Mother of Child) published on 16 July 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
My son started Holly House in March 2025 and he has settled in so well.All the staff are very good with him and so attentive with him.He has come on so well since attending, his language has improved and he socialises with others much better.I would definitely recommend Holly House!
from Louise O (Mother of Child) published on 11 April 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
We are very happy with Holly House. The staff are so friendly and approachable and it really is a home from home.
Their attention to detail is super and my 2 girls are very settled and happy there - would highly recommend.
from R O (Mother of Child) published on 26 February 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
The staff are excellent. Nothing is ever too much trouble. My child loves attending and I'm very happy leaving them in the care of the staff at First Steps Junior Academy. The activities are lovely and really well thought out. Management is approachable and is always happy to help.
from Suresh B (Father of Child) published on 21 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
My daughter is going to First Steps Junior Academy for almost a year and she enjoys it very much that she asks to go back during the weekend.
As working parents, we are very glad to see our child is enjoying her nursery and we don't need to worry about her during our days.
First Steps helped so much
for our daughter's mental and physical growth in last year.
It was the best decision for us and our daughter to join First Steps.
Staff take pride in their work and help all the children to grow.
Keep doing good work.
Thank you.
from Emily J (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been going here since she was 2 and loves it. She loves all the staff and has lots of fun when she's in. The staff are friendly and have been a great help with potty training and ensuring my daughter's dietary requirements are met. Definitely recommend this daycare
from Eimear S (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
My daughter was very nervous about starting nursery but the staff were so patient with her and helped her settle at her own pace.
She really loves going now and we can really see how much it is benefiting her speech and relationships with others.
Couldn't ask for a better nursery!
from Jason H (Father of Child) published on 20 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
My child has been at this nursery from toddlers to now attending after school and she loves it.
Great staff who go out of their way to look after each child's welfare.
Great communication and constant updates about what's going on in all the age groups.
Keep up the great work.
from K M (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
Our child has been with Holly House Day Nursery for 2.5 years. I could not recommend them more highly enough. The staff are lovely and communicate really well face to face, and through the app, providing little updates/photos. Management has always been very accommodating and has been able to book our
child in for extra days when needed throughout the year when booked in advance. It's a 10/10 from me!
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