Head Start Day Nursery

The Old School House, Willen Road, Milton Keynes Village, Milton Keynes MK10 9AF
Review Us
9.9 47 Reviews
  • Head Start Day Nursery, Milton Keynes
Head Start Day Nursery in Milton Keynes Village provides outstanding Early Years care in a warm, community-based setting. Operating from a historic Village Hall for nearly 30 years, the nursery is rated Good by Ofsted (July 2023) and supported by long-standing, qualified staff.

It offers well-resourced playrooms, a dedicated garden with mud kitchen and planting areas, and access to the village green. Children enjoy engaging programmes like Forest School, Boogie Mites, Move and Groove, and Make and Bake. The nursery uses a Curiosity-led, in-the-moment approach tailored to each child’s development.

Parent partnerships are strong, supported through the Famly App, stay-and-play sessions, and seasonal family events. Eco School accredited since 2020, the nursery fosters a love for nature and sustainability. With excellent community links and personalised care, Head Start is a trusted setting where children flourish.
Show Head Start Day Nursery on the Map

Type of Service

  • Nursery School
  • Open term time
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Carol Thorniley (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 9

Total Places for Children

  • 39

Age Range

  • from 1 years 6 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:30-14:45
    Tuesday 08:30-13:30
    Wednesday 08:30-14:45
    Thursday 08:30-14:45
    Friday 08:30-14:45

When Closed

  • 2 weeks Easter, 2 weeks Christmas & Summer Holidays only

Head Start Day Nursery Reviews (47)

9.9

Head Start Day Nursery has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.900) out of 10, based on 9 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Head Start Day Nursery has 47 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 45
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Date Published
  • 47
  • 2
  • 3
  • 9
  • 38
Reviewer Connection to Head Start Day Nursery
  • 41
  • 5
  • 1
Total of 47, showing 21-40
Review from Trudie G (Mother of Child) published on 7 October 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is a truly excellent nursery. My daughter attended from September 2020 to July 2022 and she absolutely loved her time at Head Start Day Nursery. The staff care so much about the children's development and well-being and they care for the kids like family. The leadership team are absolutely outstanding,
professional and truly passionate about early years learning. This is a very caring, nurturing and fun environment and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Reply from Charlotte Whyatt, Marketing and Communications Executive at Head Start Day Nursery
Hi, thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for the lovely words about our team. They are all truly passionate about providing exceptional childcare and education to all our families.…read more
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Amna A (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A very recommended nursery all the staff are lovely, kind and helpful, my daughter was so happy with them she developed a lot with them, I would like to thank everyone working in Head Start Day Nursery and my little girl will miss all of you.
Reply from Charlotte Whyatt, Marketing and Communications Executive at Head Start Day Nursery
Hi, thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It's great to read such lovely words about our team! They work incredibly hard to ensure each child is happy, engaged and supported within the…read more
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from S B (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We now send our second son here, having had such a good experience with our first. He enjoys every day and the amazing team always have fun and engaging activities that means he really looks forward to going each week. The staff are friendly and attentive and supported by engaged and welcoming managers.
The nursery is also lucky to have such a beautiful and quiet setting with amazing grounds outside that they make good use of for the children.
Reply from Jessica Lawrence, Marketing Executive at Head Start Day Nursery
Thank you kindly for taking the time to review your nursery, it is very much appreciated. Your feedback will be passed onto the nursery management team.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Neil W (Father of Child) published on 25 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Head Start Day Nursery have been amazing since our daughter joined last year. We are extremely grateful to each member of staff who take so much care and essentially are second mothers in the way they look after our daughter in nursery. They have catered for her disabilities and really taken a keen
interest in helping her develop and feel part of the group. Our daughter loves it and we would highly recommend any parents wanting their children to join Head Start Day Nursery to know they will be well looked after and have a great time as they prepare them for primary school.
Reply from Jessica Lawrence, Marketing Executive at Head Start Day Nursery
Thank you kindly for taking the time to review your nursery, it is very much appreciated. Your feedback will be passed onto the nursery management team.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from R G (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I could not love this nursery more. We tried a few different nurseries with my eldest and were never quite happy, then a friend recommended Head Start Day Nursery to us. It has a real village nursery feel, and all the staff genuinely care for the children. Each day is personalised, they don't just have
the same toys out every day for a free for all like many nurseries, so the children are kept really engaged and everything is well looked after and in great condition (really clean too!). The level of attention the children get is the best we've experienced. We love it so much that when I went back to work full time after we had our second child we chose to arrange for wrap around care for the extra hours rather than change nursery. There is nowhere else I'd want my kids to be.
Reply from Jessica Lawrence, Marketing Executive at Head Start Day Nursery
Thank you kindly for taking the time to review your nursery, it is very much appreciated. Your feedback will be passed onto the nursery management team.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Lars R (Father of Child) published on 23 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Very happy with all services and how happy our son is there. The staff is always helpful and caring.
Nothing but praise for everyone there. They do lots of outdoor activities and he learns new things and words daily.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Zoe W (Mother of Child) published on 23 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
From day one of my daughter starting at this nursery, all of the ladies there have gone out of their way to help her settle in to her new surroundings, offering her reassurance and ensuring she feels happy and safe every day. She now can't wait to go to nursery every day and the first thing she tells
me when I pick her up is "I had fun today!" I could not recommend this nursery highly enough, they are a wonderful team who go above and beyond for the little ones in their care.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Emma B (Mother of Child) published on 22 March 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter absolutely loves going into Nursery. Our overall experience of the nursery has been very positive. The staff are always welcoming and approachable and the level of care is exceptional I feel completely reassured that my daughter is safe and happy whilst at Nursery.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from N R (Father of Child) published on 22 March 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter is really enjoying her experience with Head Start Nursery, her learning has improved greatly as a result of attending. She is always happy at the end of the day and loves talking about all of the activities she has been up too. The facilities and outdoor space are excellent and all of the
staff are friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend head start to other parents looking at nursery options for their children.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Mona F (Mother of Child) published on 19 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My lovely four year old daughter was very dependent on me and my big worry was about her social skills and self-confidence. Hopefully, we made one of our best decisions and chose Head Start Day Nursery. At the first, it wasn’t easy to be settled but the professional and lovely staff assured us and helped
our little one to rely on herself and be confident. We are really grateful and appreciate everything that they have done for our lovely daughter, especially during this tough time with the pandemic.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Hollie S (Mother of Child) published on 16 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff at the nursery give my son nothing but love and nurturing. He adores them all, and he has come on so much since being there. He has speech delay, yet they still put effort into understanding and communicating with him and supporting him with his speech language therapy. I recommend this nursery
to anyone who asks.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Rachel J (Mother of Child) published on 16 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The manager is a fantastic manager and the rest of the team are equally as amazing and dedicated, they love and care for each child like they were family.
My daughter loved her time here and my son comes out beaming every day.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Jemma B (Mother of Child) published on 16 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been going here since she was 18 months old.. she will be leaving for school in July. This is my second child to attend here.. the staff are so friendly and my daughter loves them.. through the pandemic they have still worked and been smiley and happy (behind masks). It’s a pleasure
to take my daughter there.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Lee S (Father of Child) published on 16 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic nursery. Great staff and a brilliant environment for children to begin education. My daughter comes home after each session excited and stimulated from her day. Her confidence has grown and this is down to the dedicated staff. Thank you all.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Naomi A (Mother of Child) published on 22 July 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter started at nursery very shy and quiet and during her time here has blossomed into a confident, sociable, kind and funny little girl who just adores all her wonderful teachers here. The staff have given her so much care, friendship, love and attention and she just loved every second of her
time here. She particularly loved all the arts and crafts, the singing, the stories and playtime outside under the trees. I would highly recommend this nursery and feel very lucky to have been a part of something so special for the past 3 years.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Kate D (Mother of Child) published on 14 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I would really recommend Head Start. The staff are absolutely brilliant, and my children enjoy all the different activities they do.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Anastasia I (Mother of Child) published on 11 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our family is happy with the Head Start Day Nursery located in Milton Keynes Village hall. Thank you!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Hilary S (Mother of Child) published on 11 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I would highly recommend this nursery! The staff are so lovely and caring, they are so welcoming and willing to give the children the most wonderful experience at nursery. It’s a small village hall, but every day there is something new and exciting to discover, walks and visits to the local church,
cute little nativity plays and dress-up days! My little boy absolutely loves going every day and loves the teachers there!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Mirela Z (Mother of Child) published on 29 April 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Great Place, fantastic staff. My son started when he was two years old. He didn't speak English at all. He is now four and a half and is a confident boy and his English is absolutely great. He loves this nursery. With school approaching in September, we will be sad to leave but are thankful for the
hard work and love they have given. Thank you so much for all supporting.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Bhagyashri P (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very pleased with this nursery and the staff! The care and attention the staff give to my little one every day is absolutely commendable. In his previous nursery, he wasn’t happy so we decided to change his nursery and moving him into Head Start was the best decision we made. He settled down very quickly.
He now enjoys going to the nursery very much and can’t stop talking about his key worker and other staff members. He gets very upset by the fact that his key worker and other staff members will not be there at primary school with him.


All credit goes to the lovely staff at Head Start! Thank you very much all of you!!! Your dedication, time and efforts are very much appreciated!

  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.900)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.900) out of 10 for Head Start Day Nursery is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 9 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.9 out of 5 from 9 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 5.000 for Head Start Day Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (108 Excellents x 5) ) ÷ 108 Ratings = 5
  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 4.9 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Head Start Day Nursery is based on 9 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 = 3.9
    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 39 number of registered child places is 7.8, which has been reached with 9 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.

Loading

Loading Loading

Loading

Loading

Awards / Recognitions (12)

Meet the Team (1)

Carol

Carol

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Carol has spent her entire career in childcare and still loves the experiences, challenges and rewards it brings each day.

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