Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet)

1-3 Orchard Road, Barnet EN5 2HL
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9.8 100 Reviews
  • Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet), Barnet
Woodlands Day Nursery is a beautiful property, converted to create a 77 place day nursery of the highest quality.

Friendly and well-established, Woodlands provides a happy, sociable environment where every child is treated as an individual.

Much of the character of the building has been retained to provide spacious and interesting rooms with first class facilities. There are many sensory areas where the children can explore using all their senses.

The outdoor areas at Woodlands have been designed to encourage the children to explore holistically. It incorporates a covered area for babies to allow them to safely discover and investigate, whether they are crawling or walking.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Melina Koulakis (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 46

Total Places for Children

  • 76

Age Range

  • from 2 months
  • to 5 years

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Inset Days

Parking

  • There are a few bays on Orchard Road that are pay and display. Most parents park on the road next to the nursery, Elm Road, and put their hazards on. The nursery provides parents a sign in their car to state they are dropping or collecting.

Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) Reviews (100)

9.8

Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.801) out of 10, based on 18 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) has 100 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet)
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Review from Andreea L (Mother of Child) published on 15 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We’ve been part of Woodlands Barnet Nursery for more than four years. Both my kids had an amazing time and will keep forever memories made with lovely staff and friends.
It truly felt like a second home, and we are grateful for the positive impact it has had on our family.
Woodlands Barnet Nursery
is an exceptional place where children are embraced as part of a loving and nurturing family.
We highly recommend Woodlands Barnet Nursery to any parent.
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Review from Ebru S (Mother of Child) published on 24 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I feel so happy with everything Woodlands Day Nursery offer myself and my daughter overall. I feel she is under such excellent care every time I drop her off, I feel happy dropping her off. The staff are loving, caring and take their time to understand each individual child and their needs. She has
been progressing so well and learning more words each week. She's a happy girl at the end of each day she leaves the nursery. The staff go out of their way to help her and support and advise parents in the way to maybe approach things with a toddler at home. I.e potty training, slowly trying to get rid of dummies. I’m really lucky to have a such great team looking after my little girl.
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Review from Liam M (Father of Child) published on 7 February 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I could not recommend Woodlands Day Nursery in Barnet highly enough. Both of our sons have gone to Woodlands and they absolutely loved their time there. We found all of the staff to be caring, kind and knowledgeable and my boys really developed deep relationships with the staff when they were there.
There is a great vibe to the nursery, from the reception team to the children's key workers and our boys made wonderful friends that they have maintained even now one has left for school. The activities are great for the kids and they love the food they are served! My boys are reluctant to try new food but they love the food they receive at nursery. As our eldest left to go to school, we quickly realised that the skills he had been developing at nursery put him in a great place to start school which is why we were so keen for our youngest to attend Woodlands also. It's a lovely place for kids to grow and develop and I would highly recommend it to other parents.
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Review from Emma S (Mother of Child) published on 30 January 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter started at Woodlands pre-school in the middle of the Autumn term after just having a baby sibling - lots of change for her having just turned three so I was quite nervous about how she would cope with the transition. After her well thought out settles and a one-to-one chat with her lovely
key worker I felt reassured. She adores the setting which has kindness and care at its heart. The staff work tirelessly and have such passion and enthusiasm for the children they care for we feel very lucky to have them caring for our daughter every day. The staff have been a huge support in potty training our daughter something I struggled with a young baby at home and we are now fully potty trained. The setting really encourages independence which I can see at home - yesterday at pick up my daughter was eating her fruit snack and she disappeared to wash her hands when she had finished and now helps me tidy away plates after family meals. It's really lovely to see.
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Review from Lee E (Father of Child) published on 10 October 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Woodlands Day Nursery has provided a safe and exciting place for our daughter. The grounds and staff are excellent and we've always felt comfortable leaving our child here on, often, long days. She has made many friends, children and staff. Woodlands was recommended to us and we, in turn, would recommend
it to others.
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Review from Valter M (Father of Child) published on 3 October 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We've been having a great experience and would highlight two areas:
1) The focus on our daughter's needs and interests - for example, there was a time our daughter loved Spider-Man; the nursery has a basket with super-hero costumes and encouraged her to wear the ones she likes throughout the day and...
be a child-hero.
2) The above flexibility to the needs is balanced with a stable structure - we can tell the staff are experienced, knowledgeable and stable (as opposed to a continuous in/outflow of staff we've seen at other nurseries).
In summary, it feels like a safe, stable environment for our daughter to be her true self.
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Review from Sam C (Father of Child) published on 20 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Cannot say enough good things about Woodlands Day Nursery really. Our little girl enjoyed every moment and now our little boy is also loving it, making great friends and flourishing from a developmental point of view.
The staff are well trained, helpful, friendly and a lot of them we have gotten to
know quite well which is always nice when they spend so much time with your child.
The meals also always sound nutritious and varied.
More than anything, we have always felt as though our kids are well looked after and the nursery has always got their back which for us, when the kids are this age, means everything.
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Review from A B (Mother of Child) published on 27 January 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Like most first time Mum's I was extremely nervous about leaving my son at nursery when returning to work.
From the moment we met our son's key person we felt at ease - the Caterpillars team were warm, caring and enthusiastic. Our son settled in very quickly which is a credit to the Caterpillars team.
When he transitioned over to Ladybirds, we were initially nervous but we soon discovered all key workers in both Caterpillars and Ladybirds share the same ethos and provide a high level of service. The team leader in Ladybirds is fantastic and has provided numerous updates on our son's progress when hitting milestones and tips on how to manage new siblings at home and interactions etc which we have found very useful.
In summary a great nursery with fantastic staff - you will definitely feel at ease leaving your children here.
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Review from Rachel M (Mother of Child) published on 18 November 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Woodlands Day Nursery has been a fantastic first nursery for my daughter. She joined not long after turning one and has thrived tremendously over this past year. Thanks to the wonderful team at Woodlands, they have helped my daughter learn skills quicker than I ever thought and to help her express herself.
The team have been so helpful and understanding when we have needed them to be and are so approachable and lovely. We’re really happy that Woodlands was our daughters and our first experience of a nursery, and we highly recommend them to anyone!
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Review from M Z (Mother of Child) published on 11 October 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter started at Woodlands when she was one and we've no regrets. We originally chose this nursery for small groups and the access to outdoor space. She's made friends, gained new skills and she's always happy to go to nursery. The staff at the nursery are lovely too, we're always kept up to
date with activities they do, food they eat and anything else that's important for us to know regarding her development. Our little one bonded with her keyworkers, especially in the baby room, so much that she's continuously asked for her keyworker to come home with her.
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Review from Ioanna A (Mother of Child) published on 11 October 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are very happy our daughter started at Woodlands, which was our first and only choice. She has adjusted very easily to her new environment which has been a great comfort and reassurance for us, especially after the Covid lockdown period, where we have been with her 24/7. Grateful for the key workers
as well who are spending time with parents to understand each child’s habits and particularities so at the end I am getting a happy child back home. She also has started making some good friends and every day she is exposed to different stimulating activities. I would definitely recommend and I can see why the nursery has been rated as Outstanding.
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Review from Asha S (Mother of Child) published on 11 October 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My eldest three-year-old has been at Woodlands for 5 months and my youngest (18 months) has been at Woodlands for 3 months. They both love their time at nursery. Both have settled in well. The staff are very professional, loving and friendly. I feel reassured that my children are in good hands. I would
highly recommend this nursery to everyone!
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Review from Hayley D (Mother of Child) published on 1 July 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am so pleased my daughter got a place at Woodlands Day Nursery, she absolutely loves it and has thrived since being there, the staff are so wonderful and caring, they listen and help the children reach their full potential. My daughter is so ready for school in September and I know that's down to
the hard work that the Woodlands preschool team have put in with her. I would highly recommend this nursery to any parent. Thank you for all the wonderful work you have done with my daughter, she will really miss you all when she leaves.
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Review from Kate G (Mother of Child) published on 1 July 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has been very happy at Woodlands since she was 10 months old. From the settling in process and ongoing communication with the staff to the daily reports, activities and food - the service is absolutely top-notch and I highly recommend the nursery to other parents. With Woodlands, you leave
your child knowing that they are in excellent hands - receiving the best care and development opportunities in a safe and nurturing environment. Thank you Woodlands!
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Review from Suzanna J (Mother of Child) published on 14 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have two daughters currently at the nursery - we are so happy about our decision to send them both to Woodlands. The nursery is run to a very high standard. The staff are really warm, great fun, knowledgeable and friendly. The activities, toys and books on offer are brilliant and the meal choice
they get is fantastic. We really feel the balance between learning and play is met brilliantly by the Woodlands team. The staff keep us updated throughout the day via the app and staff are always happy to answer any questions we might have professionally.
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Review from Jag S (Father of Child) published on 14 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter had attended two nurseries in the past and both did not sit well with her. We became very disillusioned and anxious about whether we would find an ideal setting for our daughter. We found Woodlands by chance and have been so happy with all the care, love and attention shown towards our
daughter. The staff are amazing in every way possible and our daughter feels totally at home there. Would definitely recommend this nursery to everyone.
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Review from Divya M (Mother of Child) published on 13 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Woodlands nursery is exceptional, all the staff that work at the nursery are very good at looking after the children and making sure that all parents feel reassured, especially when sending your child to the nursery for the first time. They do communicate very well via email. They have all been very
understanding of all situations, changes in schedule and provide me with all the support I need - becoming a single mother, for example.
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Review from Swapna R (Mother of Child) published on 20 January 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My 2-year-old started at nursery for the first time in August 2020 - I couldn’t visit the nursery beforehand due to the pandemic and was quite anxious initially, but the staff have been very comforting, and she has settled beautifully. In fact, she asks to go to the nursery and missed the staff members
when we had to self-isolate recently! The nursery has been accommodative with us being keyworkers during these difficult times. I have no hesitation to recommend the nursery to parents looking for a good place for their kids!
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Review from Carolyn P (Mother of Child) published on 17 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son joined Woodlands Day Nursery just before his 2nd birthday in September 2019. Every morning when we enter the nursery, the happy and the energetic faces of the staff gives a very warm welcome and gives an assurance that he is going to have a fun-packed day.


My son has speech delays and it

is encouraging to see that the staff work with him to improve his communication. My son is very happy and has made lots of new friends and is able to take part in all the educating activities. The meals are great too and I am ecstatic that my son eats his vegetables and has a varied diet. When I collect my son in the evening, his happy face speaks loud that he has had a great day.


I am very happy with all that my little one has learned and has continued to develop all the skills required, preparing him for pre-school. He is growing into a confident and independent little boy.


Thanks for everything that you do to look after my son.

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Review from N S (Father of Child) published on 17 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Started my daughter really young and was really impressed with the pastoral care. My child loved the nursery and really thrived there. Excellent caring staff so overall recommend this Nursery especially for children joining young.
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.801)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.801) out of 10 for Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 18 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 17 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 4.801 for Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) is calculated as follows: ( (183 Excellents x 5) + (25 Goods x 4) + (6 Satisfactorys x 3) + (2 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 216 Ratings = 4.801
  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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) is based on 17 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 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    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 76 number of registered child places is 15.2, which has been reached with 17 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  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 (19)

Meet the Team (1)

Melina

Melina Koulakis

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2003

I am the manager of Woodlands Barnet. I joined Childbase 20 years ago and have a Level 4 qualification in childcare. I have over 20 years of experience in Early Years.


What is your favourite feature of Woodlands?
Lovely team, great outdoor facilities and a 'home from home' environment.


What are you most proud of about your nursery/team?
Watching how much it has grown and developed over the years.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Woodlands Day Nursery (Barnet) has an Enhanced Service - more info.