Day Nurseries Owned by The DEN Nursery Group in Derbyshire

The Old Forge has been a friendly nursery for our daughter to attend and she loves going there each day. The staff are friendly and approachable and we have had no issues regarding the care that our daughter has received whilst attending. We had a small issue regarding her not eating her lunch very well on a few days in a row and being a little concerned by whether different methods/food types were being used to ensure she had eaten. We were assured that things would improve with time and in fairness they did. However, I did wonder whether this would be the case with all children and think it may have been worth being a little more open to flexibility here. This was a minor issue though and the rest of our experience has been very positive and she loves the outdoor time offered at the nursery and the many other activities also.

It's clear how much thought, care and passion goes into everything they do, and we feel so lucky to have found such a special place for our son. We couldn't recommend this nursery highly enough to any parent looking for a nurturing, fun and loving environment for their little one.

Both of my children have attended the old forge one a few years ago before attending school and my youngest is 2 and still there. I think things have hugely improved since my son went (and he loved it) but I just love the care and all the clear systems they have in place. I get pictures nearly every day of my little girl doing sensory activities which is lovely. They are often outside even in not so good weather which I love. The food is amazing and I feel it really sets them up well for having dinners with friends and trying new things. I really like how they have continued to invest in the nursery and the new little bears room my daughter is in is lovely. The staff are all lovely- my daughter and son all got attached to different people and developed great relationships. I think staff retention is a huge problem in the industry but the old forge seems to do a lot better than some at this. The nursery is very careful about the spread of germs too which I appreciate

A very welcoming setting, staff have been very accommodating in arranging dates and times that best suit our evolving schedule and we have now settled into a great routine. Enrichment available for our child has been excellent and we've already seen signs of their development coming along since starting not so long ago. The meals have been varied and good quality which is very important to us. We particularly enjoy receiving the daily posts that allow us to see what they have been doing that day.

Our daughter loves attending this nursery. The nursery team are caring and loving, they support outside play, crafting, exploring and learning in a way that aligns with our values. The food menu is brilliant and expands her tastes.

My son was at the old forge for a year, between September 2025 to September 2026. On his first day, naturally, I got a bit teary about leaving my child and I remember the staff member (no longer at the nursery), saying 'we know how important he is to you and we'll do everything we can to look after him'. Her words have stuck with me because not only did they deliver in the baby bears class, but it followed through, throughout his journey at the nursery.

The staff were all so attentive and caring, and my son's development was incredible to watch. I put it down to how well he was cared for at the nursery and I'm so grateful to every member of staff who worked with him. I'd recommend this nursery many times over and I was so sad to be saying goodbye - the only reason we left was as we moved abroad, but I'd have happily kept him there until his school journey started.

My daughter has been attending the Old Vicarage Day Nursery since she was 1 year 7 months (now 3). And her growth has been amazing throughout her journey here.

As a first-time mom I was so grateful of how much support they offered during potty training. The staff gave me all information and advice needed for a smooth transition at home while supporting and potty training her at nursery.

She's now confident and has blossom into a good communicater. And she has made wonderful friends.

She loves exploring the nature in the forest school aswell as in the classroom. The staff are approachable, friendly and communicative. and the App updates, the daily photos give us so much peace, seeing how she's getting up to daily.

I highly recommend this nursery to any parent looking for a safe, nurturing environment for their little one.

My child has been attending this nursery for the past year. All of the staff are warm, supportive, and truly passionate about all the children in their care. They offer a blend of activities that foster children's development and allow them to explore while ensuring their safety. It has been a wonderful experience with this nursery.

We couldn't be happier with the Old Vicarage Day Nursery! The staff are absolutely amazing, so caring, friendly and supportive.

The girls have so many wonderful opportunities to learn through play, explore the outdoors at Forest School, build their confidence and make lovely friendships along the way.

Communication is always excellent, and any questions or concerns are dealt with promptly and professionally. It's such a comfort knowing our girls are in such safe, caring hands and are so well looked after.

We really appreciate everything the team does and would highly recommend this nursery to other parents!

Our little boy started at Old Forge in May 2025 in the baby bears room. One staff member in particular and the team helped him to settle in quickly and reassured him throughout. They were really flexible around his needs and routine to make the transition as easy as possible e.g. offering him his food on a separated plate when he refused to eat at nursery for the first few weeks. They gave us lots of updates and photos through the app which meant we could relax at work knowing he was having lots of fun! Couldn't recommend Old Forge and the baby bears team enough!

We cannot rate the nursery high enough - our daughter started full time when she was 8 months old and the teams have supported so much of her development. Our daughter has also built strong bonds with many members of staff which is so special to see, especially given how much time she spends there. One of our favourite parts about the nursery is the menu they offer - they really helped our weaning journey and our daughter has such a diverse palette all thanks to the meals the nursery provide.

Lovely, friendly staff who really go above and beyond to give the children a fantastic experience. Both my boys have always been so eager to spend time there. They are very well looked after, good meals and lots of fun.

I just love the way the staff build a relationship with my daughter and also help settle any anxiety when my little girl started. As my daughter was a lockdown baby, they really helped me to get my daughter settled in. I love the homely and friendly environment they have created. Love the way they nurture my daughter's development and build new skills.

Brilliant nursery. Staff are fantastic and very nurturing. My child has settled in really well and due to the sensitivity and care the staff provide. The outdoor area is fantastic and provides lots of learning opportunities. The food is exceptional and the nursery is just all round fabulous!

Both our children attend and love The Old Forge, the staff are enthusiastic and fantastic. The food is incredible and makes us jealous on a regular basis and our favourite aspect of the nursery is their incredible forest school. Our children return home so happy with stories of their forest adventures.

A fabulous nursery that does so much for our child's education and they genuinely care. The food is excellent, they do so many activities and all the staff we have come across have been amazing. The forest school is a fantastic facility that our child loves.

Every member of staff is so friendly, helpful, and comforting. My daughter thoroughly enjoys her time there. As parents, we feel reassured sending her and look forward to receiving pictures of what she’s been up to.

Such a fantastic nursery. The staff members are amazing and have a real passion for the job. They have helped my son adjust to many things and he continues to grow from strength to strength with their help and support. I can not speak highly enough about this nursery and wish every other nursery was the same.

I had viewed a number of nurseries for my daughter and I’m so glad I chose the old forge nursery. The staff are brilliant and helped my daughter settle in and even when she gets as not her self after her vaccinations. The food and the activities they do there are really good. I recommended to anyone I know who is needing a nursery.

Fabulous early years setting. Our son attended for 2.5 years and we were so happy with the care he received that we had no hesitation in deciding where our daughter would go upon return to work. Activities are well supported, time outside is ample and nutrition is a major focus. Private nursery is costly but we feel every penny spent is completely worth it, we have well-rounded children as a result and fully recommend it to anyone who asks!