Bright Horizons St Mary's Abingdon Day Nursery and Preschool

18 Marcham Road, Abingdon OX14 1AA
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9.6 93 Reviews
  • Bright Horizons St Mary's Abingdon Day Nursery and Preschool, Abingdon
Bright Horizons St Mary’s has a skilled childcare team that take pride in the service they offer to Abingdon parents. They ensure that each child’s health and well-being is protected while achieving excellent early years learning through a range of play activities and related resources.

The nursery has large outdoor areas which allow free flow and encourage children to play and explore in a safe, stimulating space. The garden is also equipped to support all children's needs and abilities. A forest school area gives children plenty of opportunities to learn where their boundaries lie and what is and is not safe under adult guidance.

All staff are highly-trained and experienced in the challenges of an early years education.

The nursery received and Ofsted rating of 'Good' in August 2017.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Gemma (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 18

Total Places for Children

  • 114

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:00-18:30
    Tuesday 07:00-18:30
    Wednesday 07:00-18:30
    Thursday 07:00-18:30
    Friday 07:00-18:30

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Parking

  • Car park at the back of the nursery with easy access to the main building at the coach house.

Bright Horizons St Mary's Abingdon Day Nursery and Preschool Reviews (93)

9.6

Bright Horizons St Mary's Abingdon Day Nursery and Preschool has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.618) out of 10, based on 18 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Bright Horizons St Mary's Abingdon Day Nursery and Preschool has 93 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 69
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Date Published
  • 93
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  • 5
  • 18
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Reviewer Connection to Bright Horizons St Mary's Abingdon Day Nursery and Preschool
  • 79
  • 14
Total of 93, showing 81-93
Review from B F (Mother of Child) published on 1 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Such a warm friendly place. My baby seems so happy. Lots of information when I Pick him up. I never feel like I can't ask a question always have so many different activities.
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Review from L E (Mother of Child) published on 1 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
She has enjoyed pre-school very much and is always learning new activities, playing outdoors cooking and doing numbers,
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Review from D P (Mother of Child) published on 1 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I love St Mary's nursery. It is very friendly and the staff are very lovely and welcoming when I drop my daughter off. My daughter always talks about how much of a good day she has had at nursery and talks very fondly about her key person and the other staff in the room. The management team are lovely
and are always willing to help if I ever have a concern/worry.
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Review from D P (Father of Child) published on 1 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I an very impressed with how all the staff interact with the children and parents alike. All the staff are knowledgeable about each child. They have been very helpful in giving advice. We have been with the nursery since the baby room and have experienced the same throughout. The whole atmosphere of
the nursery is positive and a great place for a child to learn, grow and make friends. Amazing place. Keep up the good work.
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Review from R S (Mother of Child) published on 1 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery has always gone the extra mile to care for both my children, one with extra needs. All the staff know my children as individuals and go out of their way to make their day enjoyable. They work with outside professionals to cater for the needs of my children. The Karate club is amazing and
my daughter loves it. What a brilliant activity to offer.
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Review from G C (Father of Child) published on 1 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff are outstanding. Their care and consideration towards my son is unquestionable. In and instance of concern they are quick to follow the correct procedures. As parents we have complete trust in the nursery staff and would highly recommend the nursery to any individual in the area. We as parents
have a very strong rapport with every member of staff, this is partly due to the outgoing, personable, positive happy and genuine personal that the staff present.
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Review from C K (Mother of Child) published on 1 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have had an excellent experience with St Mary's, very organised and helpful with the admin and finances. Staff in the rooms are great and particularly in the baby room where we feel the children are loved as well as looked after. Our child settled quickly and loves his time here. The staff continuity
is good so the children bond with their key workers and other adults. At other nurseries the staff turn over is high and the children suffer as a consequence. If anything negative over 2's room is very full and busy!!
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Review from Hollie W (Mother of Child) published on 1 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been at St Mary's since he was 8 months old, during this time he has made bonds with all the staff members and they all go above and beyond to make him so happy at nursery. All the staff are caring and lovely and seem to really care for the children. Managers are so understanding and try
to help you out as much as possible. I looked around all other nurseries in the Abingdon area and none of them stood out as much as St Mary's. I wouldn't send my son to any other nursery.
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Review from C W (Mother of Child) published on 26 February 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I was nervous about leaving my just turned one year old at nursery, but St Mary's have been absolutely fantastic. He absolutely loves his dedicated carer and is always smiling and play happily when I pick him up. His days are always busy which means he sleeps through now yay! and its lovely getting
his artwork, cards and cooking at the end of the week.
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Review from A O (Father of Child) published on 26 February 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic nursery my daughter and son have developed amazingly and are good at forming friendships and both are very outgoing children which is comforting knowing they are starting school. Staff are attentive and keen to listen and my daughter in pre-school speaks highly of all particularly her key
worker.
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Review from EL (Mother of Child) published on 3 December 2015 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
St Mary's has been wonderful for both of my children. My 20 month old son has been there since 10 months & my daughter who has now left was there from 10 months to 4 yrs and really enjoyed her time there. St Mary's have helped to develop her into a confident & happy child. The facilities are lovely
and of a higher standard than other nurseries in Abingdon. Food is cooked on site and is very varied & fresh. Staff are really good and you have a mixed balance of different ages, low staff turnover and more importantly they are very approachable and I feel totally confident in their ability to help nurture my children. Throughout the year they organise charity events including an art exhibition of which the children enter their artwork into. Christmas parties that parents invited to plus many more. Management is also very approachable and do take on board parents feedback too. Cost wise it is a little bit more dear than other nurseries nearby however for me the children to have all meals (home cooked) catered for during their day makes this very worthwhile. I'm really happy with St Mary's and it will be a sad day when my son is of an age to leave to go to school!
Reply from Marketa Cardon, Bright Horizons at Bright Horizons St Mary's Abingdon Day Nursery and Preschool
Emma - Thank you for your kind feedback! It’s wonderful to hear!
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Review from NL (Mother of Child) published on 5 November 2015 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very friendly and welcoming nursery. Approachable, caring and flexible staff. Great range of activities for children to join in every day. Bright environment, indoors and outdoors. Opportunities to socialise across age groups and modern approach to teaching bi-lingual children are particular strengths.
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Review from Chloe S (Mother of Child) published on 3 November 2015 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
A great nursery with friendly, caring staff. My son has been very happy during his time at St Mary's and that makes us happy parents :). Would highly recommend this nursery to anyone looking for childcare in the Abingdon area.
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Current Review Score: 9.6 (9.618)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.6 (9.618) out of 10 for Bright Horizons St Mary's Abingdon Day Nursery and Preschool 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 4.8 out of 5 from 18 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 4.829 for Bright Horizons St Mary's Abingdon Day Nursery and Preschool is calculated as follows: ( (180 Excellents x 5) + (35 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 216 Ratings = 4.829
  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 4.789 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Bright Horizons St Mary's Abingdon Day Nursery and Preschool is based on 18 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 114 number of registered child places is 22.8. 18 Positive Reviews ÷ 22.8 = 0.789
  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 (5)

Meet the Team (3)

Gemma

Gemma

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Gemma, the Nursery Manager, began her journey in childcare in 2009 as an unqualified member of the team following a career change. She quickly gained her Level 3 Qualification and worked her way up through the ranks before being promoted to Nursery Manager in July 2019.


Passionate about childcare, Gemma strives to create warm, nurturing, and enabling environments where children can develop and thrive. She feels incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful team at St Mary’s to support her in this mission.


An adrenaline junkie, Gemma loves traveling and embracing adventure, having explored many countries solo. She also has a deep love for Christmas, enjoys a good boxset and is a dedicated foodie.

Sian

Sian

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Sian, the Deputy Manager, has been a dedicated member of St Mary’s since 2012, progressing from apprentice to her current role. She spent many years as the Baby Room Leader and loved every moment of it.


Her passion has always been working with young children, supporting them through their early years, which she believes are the most crucial stages of development. She takes great pride in knowing she has played a part in helping children on their journey.


Outside of work, Sian enjoys visiting different places with her family, going shopping and traveling on holidays. She loves spending time with family and friends, dining out and exploring zoos and museums.

Liene

Liene

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Liene, the Deputy Manager, has been working at St Mary’s since November 2018. She began her journey as a Nursery Assistant, successfully completing her Level 3 qualification before being promoted to Room Leader. After leading the Over Two’s room, where she developed new skills and embraced new challenges, she earned a promotion to Deputy Manager in 2023.


Liene’s favorite aspect of childcare is witnessing children grow and develop, reaching new milestones and building strong bonds with both them and their parents.


Outside of the nursery, she enjoys looking after her nephew, shopping, traveling and socialising with family and friends.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Bright Horizons St Mary's Abingdon Day Nursery and Preschool to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Bright Horizons St Mary's Abingdon Day Nursery and Preschool has an Enhanced Service - more info.