9.6
Group Review Score
(the average from all locations with a review score)
Day Nurseries Owned by Children First
Children First operate a number of day nurseries located in Buckhurst Hill, Essex and London. Queens Baby Nursery, Queens Preschool and Independent Place are dedicated in providing quality care for children aged between two months and five years.
Each early years setting provides a safe and stimulating environment to support the children’s holistic development. Purpose built sensory rooms and gardens as well as a multitude of creative corners and quiet book areas promote the children’s learning through play and exploration.
Specialist staff deliver a range of learning experiences to children which are accessible through continuous provision and an extensive curriculum offering a variety of daily specialist teacher sessions;
Weekly outings are undertaken in the local community including library trips, wood explorers sessions, trips to the supermarket, train station, fire station and park.
The nursery works hand in hand with a range of local business's and provides first hand experiences such as making pizza in the Italian restaurant, visiting the hairdressers and baking in the local bakers.
On-site chefs and a nursery specialist carefully prepare a healthy and nutritious menu for the children which is made from organic ingredients and suits individual dietary requirements. All recipe's are taken from the children's food trust.
"We are so happy with Queens Baby Nursery. They have been incredible since day one. Our daughter has now been there for six months, and she…"
Read all 76 reviews
27 Places
Location Type
Day Nursery
Queens Baby Nursery has been operating for many years and is part of a small group of nurseries in the heart of Buckhurst Hill high street.
Queens Baby Nursery specialises in care and support ... Read more
"We sent both our children to Queens Pre School the year before they started school, and we were absolutely delighted with our decision both…"
Read all 17 reviews
46 Places
Location Type
Day Nursery
Queens Pre School @ The Old Stables is an Ofsted Outstanding (April 2025) nursery in the heart of the Buckhurst Hill community. It is located on Princes Road, just a five-minute walk from the Central ... Read more
"Our little boy attended Independent Place Nursery from 1yr until he left for reception in September 2025. The staff are so caring, go above…"
Read all 82 reviews
49 Places
Location Type
Day Nursery
Independent Place Nursery is part of an award-winning outstanding nursery group awarded Ofsted Outstanding again in their recent November 2021 inspection. They are a private nursery which is uniquely ... Read more
"My daughter started at Queens nursery in butterflies room and is now in the pre school. I have only fabulous things to say about all of the…"
Read all 83 reviews
55 Places
Location Type
Day Nursery
Queens Nursery and Pre School is an Ofsted Outstanding (February 2025) nursery in the heart of the Buckhurst Hill community. It is located on Queen's Road, just a five-minute walk from the Central ... Read more
Type of Nursery
Day Nursery
Open all year
Full Day Care
Sessional Day Care
Children First Reviews (258)
9.6
Children First has a Group Review Score of 9.6 (9.643) 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 Children First must have a Review Score.
from A H (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience1.0 out of 5
The nursery appears to rely heavily on its previous outdated Ofsted "Outstanding" rating in its marketing. However, based on my experience, the current standards did not reflect that level of quality, and I did not feel the setting met those expectations. The space itself is limited, toys and resources
felt outdated and lacking variety. There was very little outdoor time, which was disappointing. I also found there was a lack of creativity and self-expression encouraged. My child rarely came home with any artwork, and there didn't seem to be much focus on songs, learning, or engaging activities. The general atmosphere among staff felt low in energy, with many appearing unmotivated and disengaged. At times, the environment also felt cliquey rather than warm and inclusive. Cleanliness another concern. Also concerns around overall standards and safeguarding, which I take very seriously as a parent. Given the high fees, I expected a much higher level of care, engagement, and professionalism.
Reply from Lisa Delamere, Nursery Manager at Independent Place NurseryDeep disappointment was felt by the team to read comments that do not reflect their dedication, care, outstanding work and professionalism every day. We supported your child for nearly three years, planning and caring for your child throughout this time. It is especially difficult to read given that we were delighted to hear of a sibling enrolling. The team were thanked with generous gifts on your child's last day. Our very long serving team, some of whom have worked for us for 11 years, work exceptionally hard to provide a warm, safe and stimulating environment. We provide carefully planned activities, a rich curriculum, specialist teachers, and outdoor play in our 2 gardens, actively promoted throughout the day, all year round. Preschool enjoy free flow access to the garden. Cleanliness, high standards, children's wellbeing, and safeguarding are fundamental to our practice. We follow all safeguarding procedures rigorously and without exception. No concerns were raised with us.
from Darren A (Father of Child) published on 19 March 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
We are so happy with Queens Baby Nursery. They have been incredible since day one. Our daughter has now been there for six months, and she is so happy and thriving.
Her development has really flourished thanks to the care, attention, and learning opportunities she receives every day. A big shout-out
to Maddie, Zoe, Debbie, Peaches and the whole team for everything they do-they truly make a difference.
We would highly recommend Queens Baby Nursery to any new parent looking for a nurturing and supportive environment for their little ones.
Reply from Debbie Selby, Manager at Queens Baby NurseryDarren, thank you for your lovely comments regarding the care your daughter receives since she started with us at Queens Baby Nursery.
from Asa B (Mother of Child) published on 10 February 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
From the first day, the whole team was brilliant in supporting us through the settling-in period and the transition into nursery for our son. He was so happy there, and the team really saw and catered to his individual needs, interests, and personality. We felt very content with him there, knowing the
team was looking after him so well. We highly recommend Queen's Baby Nursery.
Reply from Debbie Selby, Manager at Queens Baby NurseryDear Asa Thank you for submitting your review. It is important to us that all children are treat individually and supporting their needs and important that through their settling period we support you as first time parents, asking all the questions that give us a greater understanding of what their likes and dislikes are and how to make their transitions as smooth as possible.
from Joe P (Father of Child) published on 5 February 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
Nothing to say but great words about our Queens Baby Nursery experience. The staff were amazing and supportive through every step of our journey with our child.
The app kept us informed about our child's activities during the day and loved the pictures and videos.
The staff were also super friendly
and loved chatting through anything.
Ten out of ten, would have another kid just to send here again.
Reply from Debbie Selby, Manager at Queens Baby NurseryJoe thank you for your lovely comments and knowing how happy you were with what we offer here at Queens Baby Nursery. It was a pleasure seeing your little one grow in confidence and ready to make the next move to Queens Nursery.
from Amber F (Mother of Child) published on 28 January 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
As a new mum going back to work I found the whole process of finding the right one so stressful - however from the moment we took the tour I felt like i could breathe a bit!
All the staff I've met are so lovely, clearly genuinely care about the babies, and maintain great communication daily so we
can see what they're up to throughout the day.
I can't recommend this nursery enough!!
Reply from Debbie Selby, Manager at Queens Baby NurseryThank you Amber for your lovely review and knowing that we put you mind at ease for a first time Mum returning back to work.
from K W (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
My daughter loved her time at the Queens baby nursery. She had developed a lovely bond with her carers and enjoyed all the specialist classes they offered. The carers were wonderful at keeping me updated on how she was getting on every day which really put my mind at ease. I will send my youngest daughter
there when the time comes because I know she will get the loving care a baby needs.
Reply from Debbie Selby, Manager at Queens Baby NurseryThank you for your lovely review, it was a pleasure in supporting your daughter through her development an seeing her become a confident littlie person and we are looking forward to having her sibling later in the year.
from Gagan H (Father of Child) published on 7 January 2026
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
The team at Queens Baby nursery have been fantastic. I cannot thank them enough for the care they provided to my child. He has been here for 8 months and will now be leaving to attend Queens Nursery. My child's development here has been amazing and the team here have played a major role in this. I would
not hesitate for one moment to recommend this nursery to anyone.
Maddie, Zoe and all the other staff - Thank you
Reply from Debbie Selby, Manager at Queens Baby NurseryDear Gagan, it has been a pleasure looking after your son and seeing him grow into the independent little boy he has become, thank you for your lovely review.
from Carolyn S (Mother of Child) published on 17 November 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
Our little boy attended Independent Place Nursery from 1yr until he left for reception in September 2025. The staff are so caring, go above and beyond to nurture the children and help them to thrive, finding individual ways to connect with them to help them settle with genuine care, connection &
compassion. The key workers are very creative & vibrant, finding fun & stimulating activities for the children. There is also a great program of activities which our son loved - from Yoga to Spanish lessons which really enriched his experience. He made a great little band of friends which was amazing to see them all growing & flourishing together.
The communication is fantastic with the staff, giving a verbal report at the end of everyday. The food is all made in house, which was also a great highlight for our son! We have nothing but fond memories of the time he spent at Independent Place & are super greatful to the staff for the part they played in shaping his first years
Reply from Lisa Delamere, Nursery Manager at Independent Place NurseryThank you for your wonderful review. It's been such a pleasure having your son at nursery and seeing him enjoy the wide range of activities and the friendships he made along the way. We're thrilled he had such a positive experience and are so grateful for your kind words about our team. Thank you for sharing your review we really appreciate your feedback.
from S E (Mother of Child) published on 12 November 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
My daughter started at Queens nursery in butterflies room and is now in the pre school. I have only fabulous things to say about all of the people that work here and care for the children. My little girl is so happy here, and I going to be sad to see her leave when she goes to big school. The staff
are caring, nurturing, friendly, professional and just all around gorgeous people. I am so thankful to have found a safe and loving environment for my little girl. My son will be following and starting in the baby nursery next year. We actually live in Epping and travel to and from queens as we know our children are happy here.
from Hannah M (Mother of Child) published on 1 October 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
We viewed several nurseries before we decided upon queens baby nursery but once we had we knew this one was for us.
We loved that it was a nursery just for younger ones. We did struggle with my daughter at first as she didn't want to be left but Debbie and team allowed us to have some extra settling
in days to give us peace of mind. Zoe our key worker was brilliant with our daughter but all the team there do a fantastic job. Our daughter has now moved to queens nursery at the top of the road and has settled in very quickly. If you are thinking of using this nursery, you won't regret it.
Reply from Debbie Selby, Manager at Queens Baby NurseryThank you for your lovely comments Hannah. It was great to see how settled your daughter was and glad to hear she has settled will at Queens Nursery.
from Anni M (Mother of Child) published on 29 September 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
I can't recommend Queen's Baby Nursery enough. The staff clearly care about the children and always have something fun planned for the kids. I sent both my children there and it was lovely seeing the bond they developed with the staff. I loved receiving daily updates on what my little one was up to
and the regular invites to events to come in and join in on the action. Thank you!!
Reply from Debbie Selby, Manager at Queens Baby NurseryDear Anni thank you for your wonderful comments, it was a pleasure seeing both you children grow into the confident little people and now enjoying their next stages of education.
from Prinal R (Father of Child) published on 29 September 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
As parents of twins, we were very nervous about them starting nursery and leaving our babies into someone's care once my wife went back to work after maternity leave.
However what a wonderful experience we have had with Queens Baby nursery; since they started here.
The staff are amazing, the care
and attention provided is outstanding and most definitley worthy of their Ofsted rating!
On every level, we have been very impressed with the team and our twins are now much more confident since starting here.
No hesitation to recommend this nursery for your precious babies!!
Reply from Debbie Selby, Manager at Queens Baby NurseryThank you for your wonderful comments, It was a pleasure having them and seeing how they grew in confidence.
from James R (Father of Child) published on 19 September 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
We sent both our children to Queens Pre School the year before they started school, and we were absolutely delighted with our decision both times.
The staff are all kind, caring, helpful and experienced. The array of activities put on for the children are beyond impressive, and the updates (both on
the app, and face to face at pick up) are very thorough.
Queens has been the perfect environment in getting our children ready for school, and we can't recommend it highly enough
from Nikki B (Mother of Child) published on 22 August 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
Our child has just started at Independent Place and we could not be happier! We were really anxious with the transition to nursery and how our child would cope with the change but the whole experience has been extremely positive and the team have been incredibly supportive.
The team at IP genuinely
care so much about the children and show such love and care in their work with them. They are kind and gentle and worked closely with us to ensure our child had a gentle and smooth transition to nursery. The class/group sizes are small and the environment calm and not overwhelming. The activies and curriculum is engaging, thought through and varied with alot of collabouration with the parents.
The team provide consistent and regular updates and there is a genuine community that has developed with the families which we were immediately welcomed into. Very happy with the care provided and could not recommend highly enough!
Reply from Lisa Delamere, Nursery Manager at Independent Place NurseryThank you so much for your kind words. We're thrilled to hear your child has had such a positive start at Independent Place and that the transition has been smooth for your family.It's wonderful to know you feel supported and welcomed into the community. We truly value our partnership with parents and are so pleased to see your child thriving.Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience, it means a lot to the whole team.
from Marilia B (Mother of Child) published on 22 August 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has been at The Independent Place Nursery since she was 9 months old, and after half a year we couldn't be happier. From day one, the staff have been warm, caring, and genuinely invested in her wellbeing. She lights up when she sees her key workers, which has made it so much easier for
us to be apart from her. The environment is engaging and stimulating, with varied activities that help her learn and grow. Regular events involving parents are a lovely touch, helping us feel part of the community. Communication is excellent, and we always feel informed about her day, progress, and those little moments that mean so much. The nursery has a real family feel, where every child is valued as an individual. We feel so lucky to have found a place where our daughter is happy, confident, and thriving
Reply from Lisa Delamere, Nursery Manager at Independent Place NurseryThank you for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. We're delighted to hear that your experience at Independent Place Nursery has been so positive.It's wonderful to know that our engaging environment, clear communication, and strong sense of community have made a meaningful difference to your family.We truly appreciate your feedback and are glad to be part of your child's early years journey.
from Eleanor H (Mother of Child) published on 22 August 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
We sent our son to independent place when he was a year old and he is just about to graduate, as well as our younger daughter. The staff are warm, caring and creative, there is a really varied programme of activities and it communication was always reliable. Both our children have loved being there,
I would highly recommend
Reply from Lisa Delamere, Nursery Manager at Independent Place NurseryThank you so much for your kind words and continued trust over the years! It's been a joy to watch both your children grow and thrive with us. We're so glad to hear they've loved their time here and that you've felt supported by our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
from Ana M (Mother of Child) published on 22 August 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
Absolutely amazing and caring staff, exceptional communication, daily updates and wonderful support to our daughter during settling in process.
She seems to be enjoying creative play, great food selection and daily activities they come up with all the time.
Independent Place is the best nursery choice
we have made!
Reply from Lisa Delamere, Nursery Manager at Independent Place NurseryThank you for your wonderful review! We're so happy to hear your daughter is enjoying creative play and settling in well. It means the world to us that you consider Independent Place the best nursery choice . We're also very grateful you took the time to share your experience with us!
from Tanya S (Mother of Child) published on 22 August 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
My son has been going to independent place nursery for a year now (since he 10 months old) - he absolutely loves it. The staff are so thoughtful and attentive, I really feel like we can trust them and that they actually care about him. The activities and specialist teachers they bring on are also great,
and the space / gardens are lovely.
Would highly recommend this nursery to any parents in the area.
Reply from Lisa Delamere, Nursery Manager at Independent Place NurseryThank you so much for your kind words! We're glad your son enjoys the activities and specialist teachers , we love creating engaging experiences for all our children. We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback!
from Sarangan K (Father of Child) published on 7 July 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
Queen's Nursery / Preschool looked after both our girls over a period of 4 years and we are extremely grateful for the care that all the teachers provided.
The teachers took great care of the girls and the girls always had very fond comments and memories of their time in preschool.
Girls came
out confident and ready for school.
Reply from Katie Walls, Nursery Manager at Queens Pre-School @ The Old StablesThank you for the lovely comments. We are so happy your children were confident and ready for school!
from E S (Mother of Child) published on 7 July 2025
Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been going to queens group since turning 1 and she is now 4. My son had joined about a year back, being just under 1. They love going there, and are always excited with the amount of activities that they have going and the love and care they receive is nothing short than exceptional
! Both my husband and I can drop our babies off knowing they are being taken care of and supported extensively. The app is also updated regularly to show what they are doing, how they have been eating etc which gives us a peace of mind. My daughter is also supported with her reading and writing skills and has been loving doing her practices with her teacher. I definitely cannot recommend Queens Nursery enough.
Reply from Katie Walls, Nursery Manager at Queens Pre-School @ The Old StablesThank you so much for your lovely comments and recommendation.
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