Bright Stars Nursery Group Ltd in Essex | 5 Day Nurseries

Review of
Orchard Barns Ardleigh
from D H (Father of Child) published on 5 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Behind the friendly front, this nursery is run by a head office that puts profits before families.
We stayed loyal to Orchard Barns Ardleigh despite it receiving a poor Ofsted review, because we didn't want to disrupt our children.
That loyalty was rewarded with two fee increases in less than a year,

adding over £3,000 extra for one child.
We rejected the September 2023 increase in writing and asked multiple times to discuss it - no meeting was ever arranged. In our final month we accidentally overpaid (partly because no final invoice was issued) and the nursery has refused to refund the money.
While some of the staff are caring, the management's handling of fees, communication and fairness is unacceptable. I would strongly recommend parents look elsewhere - behind the scenes this nursery is not being run in the best interests of families or children.

Reply from Sophie Brooks, Manager at Orchard Barns Ardleigh

Thank you for your review, your opinion matters to us here at Orchard Barns. As you are aware your query is being dealt with by our head office.

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Review of
Nursery on the Heath
from Anna P (Mother of Child) published on 11 August 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

All of the staff at Nursery on the Heath really do love and are for all of the children there. I always feel confident and happy dropping my daughter off and know that she is going to have a fun filled day. The staff always keep you well informed about your little ones day and the social media page

is a great addition to see all of the lovely photos. I never worry that my daughter will be unsafe or not well cared for on her days at nursery and this is such a big reassurance for parents.

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Review of
High House Nursery
from Sophie C (Mother of Child) published on 7 August 2025 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Such lovely caring staff, sensible policies and their passion for SEN has really overwhelmed me, these guys are really good. I love seeing pictures of my son having a great time here. On site chef also really nice.

Reply from Kelly Greenwood, Manager at High House Nursery

Thank you for your feedback, we appreciate you taking time to complete a review.

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Review of
High House Nursery
from Amy B (Mother of Child) published on 10 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Our daughter loves going to nursery at High House. The staff are amazing and she has learnt so much whilst being there, especially getting ready for school. I would highly recommend this nursery to everyone

Reply from Kelly Greenwood, Manager at High House Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to review our nursery, we appreciate your feedback.

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Review of
High House Nursery
from Brad B (Father of Child) published on 10 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Our daughters experience at this nursery's has been absolutely amazing. She had moved from a previous nursery and was made so welcome. All the staff are so polite and welcoming would highly recommend this nursery

Reply from Kelly Greenwood, Manager at High House Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to review our Nursery, we appreciate all feedback.

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Review of
Orchard Barns Ardleigh
from C P (Mother of Child) published on 10 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Our children are so so happy at the nursery. The staff are caring and considerate of their and our families needs. I would recommend this nursery and the staff. They work very hard to make the day varied and exciting.

Reply from Sophie Brooks, Manager at Orchard Barns Ardleigh

Thank you so much for your lovely feed back it means a lot to us, both children will be truly missed here at Orchard Barns!

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Review of
Orchard Barns Ardleigh
from S W (Mother of Child) published on 4 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My son has now been at Orchard Barns for 2.5 years and in that time has grown and developed so much. He has so much fun with his friends and is always so full of beans when I go to pick him up. Now he's in the pre-school room he's in full preparation mode for when he goes to school in September and

I feel really confident he'll be in a great position for that transition. My daughter also recently started at the nursery in the pre-toddlers room. The staff have been really supportive and reassuring as she's been settling in, with plenty of updates during the day which has been really helpful at such an emotional time as I head back to work after maternity leave.

Reply from Sophie Brooks, Manager at Orchard Barns Ardleigh

Thank you for your lovely feedback, it means so much to us! I'm glad that you have felt reassured whilst your daughter has settled here with us and that your son has enjoyed his time here with us at…read more

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Review of
Orchard Barns Ardleigh
from B A (Father of Child) published on 3 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

We've had such a positive experience with this nursery. The staff are warm, caring, and genuinely invested in the children's development. My little one settled in quickly, which really put my mind at ease. Communication is great, and I love the updates and photos we receive-it's lovely seeing what they

get up to each day. The environment is clean, safe, and full of engaging activities. I've seen such a boost in my child's confidence and social skills since starting here. Highly recommend to any parent looking for a nurturing and supportive setting!

Reply from Sophie Brooks, Manager at Orchard Barns Ardleigh

Thank you for your kind feedback it means a lot to us! We are glad that your mind was put to ease whilst your child was going through the settling in process.

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Review of
High House Nursery
from Rebecca B (Mother of Child) published on 3 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

My son is extremely happy at High House, he is learning something new every day and loves playing with his friends and nursery staff! The staff are all amazing and my son loves them, which really puts my mind at rest. Thank you. :)

Reply from Kelly Greenwood, Manager at High House Nursery

Thank you for your feedback, we appreciate your comments.

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Review of
High House Nursery
from Luminita C (Mother of Child) published on 2 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

My daughter has been in High House since she was 19 months old. She absolutely loves it, made new friends and developed all her social skills. All the staff are friendly, well-experienced, and nothing is too much.
The lady from management has been extremely helpful with me and my requests.
I am so

lucky that my daughter is thriving in such a safe and friendly environment.

Reply from Kelly Greenwood, Manager at High House Nursery

Thank you for your feedback, we are thrilled that you have had such a lovely experience.

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Review of
High House Nursery
from James H (Father of Child) published on 2 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

My daughter is always very happy to go to nursery & is always happy at pick up. Her key worker has been excellent and has made a very good effort at forming a bond.

Reply from Kelly Greenwood, Manager at High House Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to review our setting, we value your feedback.

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Review of
High House Nursery
from Natalie H (Mother of Child) published on 2 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

An amazing nursery, my son has SEN problems, and they have been brilliant with getting him to drink and eat. He has learned so much, and his speech has come on so much with their help. The manager has been amazing, she has gone above and beyond to help me with his problems and always finds a solution

to help him. Best nursery he has been to, and currently helping him get ready for school.

Reply from Kelly Greenwood, Manager at High House Nursery

Thank you for your feedback! i'm glad to hear that you've had a good experience overall and felt supported by management. A kind and positive environment is what we strive to maintain.

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Review of
High House Nursery
from Adele W (Mother of Child) published on 2 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

High House is a really lovely nursery where they help the children settle. All the staff are kind and friendly.

Reply from Kelly Greenwood, Manager at High House Nursery

Thankyou, so much for your review.were delighted to hear that you find our nursery lovely. Helping children settle in happily and confidently is a top priority for us, so its wonderful to know that…read more

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Review of
Orchard Barns Ardleigh
from mykela m (Mother of Child) published on 2 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My daughter has attended Orchard Barns for the past 18 months. Any anticipation was very quickly eased as on show around my daughter ran off to play and didn't want to leave. She has completely thrived at Orchard Barns. The staff are very friendly and approachable and help with any thing you need. They

do loads of activities and events throughout the year, including having a photographer in twice a year. My daughter even when she was quite fussy with food, eats everything of Gary's cooking, she loves it. I can't thank the Orchard Barns team enough for all their care and help in enabling our daughter to grow and learn.

Reply from Sophie Brooks, Manager at Orchard Barns Ardleigh

Thank you for your kind feedback, it means a lot to us, the chef will be pleased to hear that his cooking is loved!

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Review of
Orchard Barns Ardleigh
from Hannah T (Mother of Child) published on 2 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My daughter has been at orchard barns since she was a baby and will be leaving this September to go to school. My son is currently in the pretoddler room. We joined at a time when there was a lot of change within the nursery and it's evident how things have turned around in that time. With new management

and strong room leadership, we've really seen a change in the nursery. Both of my children absolutely love going in, and have really strong relationships with all the staff. I always feel like I can discuss anything with their key people and feel reassured that we are working in partnership to support my children. The space itself is lovely with a big outdoor garden and outdoor classrooms for each room. There are always interesting activities going on and both of my children have developed really quickly. I know my daughter will really miss going and will particularly miss all the staff who she loves. Highly recommend and definitely worth a visit.

Reply from Sophie Brooks, Manager at Orchard Barns Ardleigh

Thank you for your kind feedback, it means a lot to us. I'm glad both children enjoy coming to nursery and that you feel comfortable to raise anything with staff.

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Review of
Butterfly Blue Day Nursery
from L P (Mother of Child) published on 25 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Both my children have been at Butterfly Blue since just before they were 1 (they are now 6 and 4). They've both had a lovely time there and been very well looked after. Their keypersons have been really nice and there have been the same staff there for a long time which is nice. They prepare them really

well for school and do lots of nice activities.

Reply from Sarah Graham, Manager at Butterfly Blue Day Nursery

thank you for your lovely review, it has been a pleasure looking after both your children, we are now preparing to get your youngest child school ready with lot of personal social and emotional…read more

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Review of
Butterfly Blue Day Nursery
from Lauren T (Mother of Child) published on 18 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

All staff are amazing and care greatly all the children. My little boy enjoys his time at Butterfly Blue immensely and has great bonds with all the staff including those not based in his room. He comes out happy every day and always talks about what he has done. I am so grateful to the team for making

my sons experience so warm and welcoming.

Reply from Sarah Graham, Manager at Butterfly Blue Day Nursery

thank you for your amazing review, it is an absolute pleasure looking after yours son, we offer a wide range of activities to challenge everyday and i am glad he loves his time at butterfly blue

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Review of
Second Steps Day Nursery
from V A (Mother of Child) published on 19 February 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

The staff are welcoming, proffessional, caring, friendly and understanding. They are involved with the children's play as well. The environment is safe and set in a secure, seduced environment.
They keep parents updated about my child's daily activities and the child's development. They also arrange

follow-up sessions to review a child's progress.

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Review of
Second Steps Day Nursery
from Carlie P (Mother of Child) published on 6 February 2025 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My daughter has been going to Second Steps Day Nursery for 2 years and absolutely loves it. The staff that look after her make her days fun, interesting and educational. Most of all, they make us and her feel safe and secure in their care, particularly via the app updates where we get to see what she

has been doing throughout the day.
All staff are very friendly and supportive, thank you!

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Review of
Second Steps Day Nursery
from Nicola H (Mother of Child) published on 6 February 2025 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My son has been going to Second Steps for almost 2 years now and he really enjoys it. We have never had any issues and find the staff to be really supportive and personable. They clearly take the time to get to know the children and all know him by name, even those that work in different rooms. We are

kept well updated on his day via the app. The food selection is good and varied. The space is set out really well and it has a lovely big garden. The activities they do with the children throughout the day have had such a big impact on his development and we are very grateful for this. The nursery are fully supportive of potty training. The only thing I would say is that it would be nice to see some more of the arts and crafts things he does, perhaps in the form of a pack given out monthly.
I would highly recommend the nursery to anyone thinking about sending their children there.

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Day Nurseries Owned by Bright Stars Nursery Group Ltd in Essex

Bright Stars Nursery Group Ltd Locations in Essex (5)

Bright Stars Nursery Group Ltd Reviews in Essex (117)

Orchard Barns Ardleigh

Nursery on the Heath

High House Nursery

High House Nursery

High House Nursery

Orchard Barns Ardleigh

Orchard Barns Ardleigh

Orchard Barns Ardleigh

High House Nursery

High House Nursery

High House Nursery

High House Nursery

High House Nursery

Orchard Barns Ardleigh

Orchard Barns Ardleigh

Butterfly Blue Day Nursery

Butterfly Blue Day Nursery

Second Steps Day Nursery

Second Steps Day Nursery

Second Steps Day Nursery

Awards / Recognitions (6)

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