Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School

Queens Park Court, Ilbert Street, London W10 4QA
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8.7 41 Reviews
  • Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School, London
Rated Outstanding by Ofsted (October 2025), Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School provides childcare and education to children from birth to 5 years old.

The Nursery is in Kensal Green, close to Queen’s Park and Kensal Rise stations. It's a bright, airy setting with a large garden, providing plenty of space for all-weather outdoor activities.

For the long-standing staff, the key to learning is variety. Each day is different! The children enjoy science experiments like ‘Volcanoes’, yoga, growing vegetables in the greenhouse, messy arts play, woodwork, and more. They also have a sensory room for babies.

The Nursery's on-site chef provides a range of meals and snacks from LEYF’s nutritious menu.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Yvonne Cadore (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 14

Registered Charity Number

  • 299686

Total Places for Children

  • 52

Age Range

  • from 0 years 0 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School Reviews (41)

8.7

Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School has a Review Score of 8.7 (8.698) out of 10, based on 4 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School has 41 reviews.

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Date Published
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Total of 41, showing 1-20
Review from Priya B (Mother of Child) published on 8 October 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I honestly cannot say enough wonderful things about Katharine Bruce Nursery. After an awful experience at a different nursery, we made the decision to make the switch, and from the moment we stepped in for our tour, we knew this was the place for us.
While the exterior may not stand out, the warmth,
kindness and care inside absolutely shines. The teachers are truly exceptional. My daughter is thriving here; she is constantly learning new things, excited to go in every day.
The stability of staff at this nursery is remarkable and it speaks volumes about the positive environment Yvonne, the head teacher, has fostered.
We couldn't be happier with our decision to join this nursery and I wholeheartedly recommend it to all our friends.
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Review from Charlotte L (Mother of Child) published on 30 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has attended Katharine Bruce Nursery for the past two years, since he was six months old. He absolutely loves it, and is always excited to arrive and see his friends and teachers each day. The nursery staff are kind, nurturing, and safety conscious. There is low staff turnover, and many have
been there for more that 10 years.


The food is prepared in-house and is nutritious and varied. There's a weekly menu rotation so the kids have something different each day.


I really like the LEYF approach of learning through play, and my son enjoys the constant choice of fun activities such as art, cooking, music, and circle time. There are three claasrooms, a sensory room, and each classroom has direct access to the big garden.


The nursery has helped my son become a talkative, super happy, and confident little boy.

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Review from Elena F (Mother of Child) published on 2 October 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot recommend the nursery highly enough. Our son was there from the age of 8 months until starting school this September. My partner and I would often talk about how lucky we felt that he ended up in such a caring, nurturing and loving environment. It's the staff that really make it. Thank you
so much for all the support you have given over the last three and a half years both to my son and to me. He could not have had a better start in life!
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Review from Adji L (Mother of Child) published on 9 July 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Outstanding nursery with an experienced, attentive and loving staff. Our daughter settled in just a few weeks and showed such enthusiasm going to the nursery every day that we knew she was very well taken care of. The manager runs a tight team, with longstanding members. Parents are constantly given
detailed information about their child's growth and development. We cannot wait for our other daughter to also join the nursery.
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Review from Maria Pasqua L (Mother of Child) published on 14 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is my second experience with Katherine Bruce and I am super happy about the nurturing environment they create for the children and the learning experience they provide. Both my daughters improved their communication skills and their self-reliance skills so that they were able to generalise at home.
They both loved the food, and they were able to eat a range of food categories that are really good for their health. The teachers and management are amazing and they accommodate the needs of my family in regards to nap times. Our overall experience is excellent and we would recommend the nursery to everyone.
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Review from Giulia C (Mother of Child) published on 8 September 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Katharine Bruce is a wonderful nursery. Our son has attended since he was 6 months old and, thanks to the care of the amazing teachers and managers, has grown into a happy, confident little boy, fully ready to start reception this September. He has made strong friendships, engaged in lots of stimulating
and fun activities and enjoyed freshly prepared, healthy meals every day. A few of the teachers have worked there for many years and are very experienced - so when we leave our son there we know we are leaving him in very safe hands. They also genuinely care about him and he is very attached to them which is everything we could have hoped for. The management is excellent and runs a very tight ship. Throughout these last three years, Katharine Bruce has felt like a second family to us, we are so grateful for everything they've done for our son. Though we'll be very sad to leave, we'll have so many good memories to cherish. Definitely recommend.
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Review from Alex D (Father of Child) published on 10 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing nursery filled with amazing staff - each and every one of them. Taking the best care of my two kids from babies right the way up to pre-school. They both love it there. The nursery manager runs a tight ship. I cannot recommend highly enough.
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Review from Santiago C (Father of Child) published on 10 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are extremely happy at Katharine Bruce Nursery and Pre-School! Our child loves spending the day with his friends, the teachers are absolutely amazing and reliable and the facilities are also great! Our boy will be moving on to school in September and we will really miss his adventures at the nursery!
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Review from E A (Mother of Child) published on 7 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The nursery is of a good size, with good space in rooms and outdoor space. The carers and management are attentive and very caring. Children are cared for and stimulated to grow in a healthy and safe environment.
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Review from George F (Father of Child) published on 3 August 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I feel very lucky we found Katherine Bruce Nursery and Pre-School and I feel privileged our daughter has been cared for and mentored by such wonderful people. The nursery staff are kind and thoughtful, the management are competent and rigorous. The nursery and pre-school fosters a culturally rich and
intellectually engaging environment. The staff are hard-working and observant, and I always feel certain my daughter is in safe and caring hands. I couldn't imagine her growing up anywhere else, and I thank the staff for all they have done.
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Review from R P (Mother of Child) published on 1 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter is completing her final couple of months at Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School before she heads off to reception. She started at the age of 1 during the early Covid days, with very little confidence and a huge amount of attachment to us. The team at Katharine Bruce have loved her, nurtured
her and she has developed incredibly in her confidence and personality.
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Review from Sari G (Mother of Child) published on 25 July 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending since she was one and a half years old and has loved coming in every morning, welcomed by the whole team and her peers. You immediately feel part of a community and we have build close friendships with parents, children of all ages and the teachers; which we will miss
hugely once my daughter moves on this coming September.
The facilities are great, the outdoor space is used daily offering the children a varied and active day. Children are often invited and encouraged to visit other classrooms, which encourages their understanding of the wider society, gentility around little ones and ability to learn from older children.
We couldn't recommend Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School more and it's a testament to the great management team as well as a wealth of experience across all room leads, many of who have been with the nursery for many years.
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Review from E D (Mother of Child) published on 18 July 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
One of our children has just started reception after 3 years at Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School, and we have another in their 2-3 year old class. Both of them have loved their experience there, and so have we as parents. We are continuously amazed at the professionalism and kindness of the staff,
they are creative, pragmatic, skilful, and the best childcare we could have wished for. Our elder child was perfectly prepared to start reception, academically as well as in terms of educational framework. Our youngest one is thriving with all the activities the staff carefully plans. The series of events they put together, from seasonal and festive celebrations to the children’s graduation ceremonies are delightful and testament to the care they put into ensuring both children and parents are having the best early years experience. A heartfelt thank you to the whole team at Katherine Bruce!
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Review from V U (Mother of Child) published on 10 July 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Good staff and managers.
My child loves to be there.
Very helpful, clean place staff welcoming, manager very supportive. I’m happy for my child to attend this place.
My child has learned lots of activities.
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Review from Amie F (Mother of Child) published on 8 June 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband and I are totally enamoured by this nursery. Our son started when he was just a year old in the middle of the pandemic, and he’s now a bit over three years old and loves it. The staff truly go above and beyond to care for the children and teach them! Our son has learned so much there, from
table manners to painting, sharing with others, and the importance of tidying up. The teachers are super friendly; they always have time for the children and any concerns they or we have. They always greet us by our names (how on earth do they remember the parents’ names too?!) and make us feel so comfortable. When I drop my son off, I know he’s going to have a fun-filled day with plenty of nutritious food. Managers make sure everything runs smoothly, efficiently and with love. We are very sad that we must leave in a year’s time.
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Review from Jessica S (Mother of Child) published on 31 May 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has been going to this nursery for two and a half years. It's a wonderful safe place with caring staff who do a lot for the children. They have a lot to do, good food and are well taken care of. She has a great relationship with her key workers and will be sad to leave to go to school this
year. I would highly recommend.
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Review from Hanna E (Mother of Child) published on 29 May 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started nursery at 2 years old in January 2021 and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. The nursery is distinguished in all respects, the teachers, the lessons, the hygiene, the safety, and at the top the distinguished management.
My evaluation of the teachers is 100% and
the administration is 200%.
My daughter started the nursery at the age of one year in June 2022 because I was reassured after my experience of them with my son and made sure that my daughter was in safe hands
All thanks to all the staff for providing a comfortable environment for children and parents, and I wish you success always.
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Review from D L (Mother of Child) published on 11 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son started at nursery right in the middle of COVID when he turned one and has continued ever since, he absolutely loves it there and across all the rooms, he has always been surrounded by loving staff members. There is little staff turnover which really helps build the trust and he is building
his emotional intelligence as well as preparing key learnings for school. Our daughter just started there at 9 months old and is already very excited to go every morning. It truly is a 5 star nursery, highly recommend.
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Review from L F (Aunt of Child) published on 11 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Love the nursery and the staff, my nephew has ASD and the nursery applied for one-to-one funding for him, which they received.
My nephew likes the staff and is setting well and enjoys it there.
If there are any problems, they’ll always let me know.
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Review from L R (Mother of Child) published on 25 May 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter started at Katharine Bruce at 10 months and has loved everyone there since the beginning! All the care workers are amazing and so attentive to all the children and they make them feel so welcome (and the parents too!)
The activities that they do for the children are great and interactive
and they ensure they keep the parents up to date via the app so you have peace of mind. I'm very happy that my daughter loves this nursery and that she's developing her skills there so I would highly recommend it to any new parents in the area.
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Current Review Score: 8.7 (8.698)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.7 (8.698) out of 10 for Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 4 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.8 out of 5 from 4 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:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.938 for Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School is calculated as follows: ( (45 Excellents x 5) + (3 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 48 Ratings = 4.938
  2. 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 3.76 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School is based on 4 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 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 = 3.375
    2. 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 52 number of registered child places is 10.4. 4 Positive Reviews ÷ 10.4 = 0.385
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. 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.

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Awards / Recognitions (0)

Meet the Team (1)

Yvonne

Yvonne

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 1996

Hello, my name is Yvonne and I have been with LEYF since 1996 and joined Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School in 1997. We are really special because of our extensive outdoor area and qualified staff, who are friendly and supportive. My proudest moment here was probably when I introduced the outing for the whole nursery, something which had never been done before I became manager.

Frequently Asked Questions about Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School

What is the Age Range of Children that Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School accepts?

Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School accepts Children aged from 0 years 0 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School Open?

Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School is open: Monday 08:00-18:00, Tuesday 08:00-18:00, Wednesday 08:00-18:00, Thursday 08:00-18:00, Friday 08:00-18:00.

How many Children does Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School have capacity for?

Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School has capacity for a total of 52 Children.

How far is Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School to the centre of London?

3.3 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 Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Katharine Bruce Nursery & Pre-School has an Enhanced Service - more info.