Castle Nursery - Markenfield

Old School Close, off Markenfield Road, Guildford GU1 4QJ
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9.9 15 Reviews
Castle Nursery at Markenfield Road opened in October 2003, it is a purpose built setting and has recently become a Forest School.

At all of the Castle Nurseries, there is a highly trained team, working continuously to ensure that children's individual care and learning needs are met whilst having fun. Empowering children to have the confidence and communication skills to develop risk and challenge within their learning environment.

Whilst Castle Nursery settings share many important qualities they also ensure they retain their individuality.

What is very important to Castle Nursery and Pre-School is the support they aim to provide to parents. They remain dedicated to offering the most flexible provision of childcare possible without compromising on the quality of care or the child's well-being.
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Type of Service

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

Person in charge

  • Leanne Ellis (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 25

Total Places for Children

  • 72

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Please contact the nursery for a fee schedule

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 & 1 week at Christmas

Castle Nursery - Markenfield Reviews (15)

9.9

Castle Nursery - Markenfield has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.859) out of 10, based on 14 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Castle Nursery - Markenfield has 15 reviews.

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Review from Elizabeth H (Mother of Child) published on 11 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I would highly recommend Castle Nursery - Markenfield. My son has been here since he was 9 months old. He's now 3 and has loved his entire time. The staff have been outstanding and have always put the children as their highest priority. The staff in each room have built really strong relationships with
my son as he's grown which meant he settled in really quickly and enjoys every day. The forest school is another highlight of the nursery as my son loves these weekly adventures, whatever the weather.

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Review from K Z (Mother of Child) published on 7 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have one child who has been at Castle for two years and is shortly going into pre-school and one who is just starting. We cannot rate the team at Castle highly enough. My son has loved it there as he has progressed through every room; the staff know the children inside out and their needs. My daughter
is doing her settling-in sessions at the moment, and we haven’t had any problems so far. The facilities are great, and the children are challenged with activities each day. The daily updates, observations and food are also fantastic, and I always know my children are in very safe, caring and nurturing hands. Thank you to everyone!

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Review from Katy S (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been at this nursery for 3 years, since she was 1, and loved it from the start. The nursery has rooms for different age groups, but all the staff know every child and the kids are comfortable with all the adults so moving between rooms is smooth and low-stress. The nursery always seems
to abide by regulations and I am confident it is a safe and secure environment.
They are keen to adapt care to fit each family, for example, providing suitable food for special diets. They are happy to use cloth nappies.
The outside space is small but has lots of play equipment, sand pits, mud kitchens etc. Children in the pre-school class get to go to an off-site Forest School which is the highlight of their week.
The manager is friendly, approachable and helpful - she really gets to know every child and family and is keen to provide the best care for each individual.
I would strongly recommend this nursery as a happy, safe place for children to learn and grow.

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Review from V W (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little boy has been at Castle since Sept 21 and absolutely loves it. Great indoor facilities, plenty of space, with zones in each room for activities. Always lots to do! The staff are so inventive. 4 different rooms to support the children growing and developing. Lovely outdoor space. The garden
is split into age-appropriate areas. Enough space to get the paddling pool out in the summer and have ride on activities to learn safety and control. Lots to build, climb and play with. The staff are amazing. They are so supportive to the parents and nurturing to the children. Focused on development through play and activities. Different themes every few weeks, plus special activities on key days (Mother’s Day breakfast, Valentine's cards etc.). Dress-up days, farm visits to the nursery, forest school for the pre-school children, Xmas parties, summer BBQ. Very community-focused. The food is varied and well-planned. CCTV throughout, safe entrance and exit. Quiet location with easy parking.

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Review from Sarah T (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been at Castle Nursery for nearly three years, and is very happy there. She is encouraged and challenged by the pre-school curriculum, and I believe it will set her up well for school this autumn. Throughout her time, the nursery staff have been very supportive, and always worked closely
with us when there has been any kind of issue, for example, during unsettled periods like room changes. I would highly recommend Castle Nursery to anyone considering where to place their child.

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Review from B T (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The nursery team have been nothing but great! We cannot sing their praises highly enough; accommodating, nice and very professional. Our son loves going to Bumblebees Class every day. The team are engaged in his learning and have taken the time to truly get to know him as a person. Thanks team!

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Review from Dan F (Father of Child) published on 20 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Really happy with Castle Nursery - Markenfield. I have had one child graduate from there and another child currently still there. Found the staff to be very helpful and flexible. Thanks so much for helping to guide our children!

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Review from Dani H (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of my children go to Castle and they have been fantastic. What is different about them is their ability to retain staff. They have a hands-on manager that’s been in situ for over 15 years and the room leaders and staff have been very stable as my kids have moved through the nursery.
They will
meet you where you’re at with all aspects of development - formula/breast milk, baby lead weaning or purées, naps or no naps or capped naps, potty training, anything. They are very intertwined with parents and they really care. When it comes to learning, they prioritise the critical skills that children need to prepare them for school such as putting their coats and shoes away, lining up to go in and outside, circle time, turn-taking, even getting a PE kit on and off. The only criticism is that the back garden is quite small but given the stability of management and the quality of care that is provided for my children, it is hardly a factor.

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Review from Daphne M (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My oldest girl just 'graduated' from Castle Nursery and my youngest still attends. I could not speak more highly about the manager and the team. Diligent, caring, supportive (of kids and parents) and incredibly helpful. We are a bilingual family and at first I was worried about how the girls would transition
from a childminder in one language to a school setting in another. The team were incredibly supportive and experienced - on flag day they ensured that my eldest drew both flags. A small thing but so meaningful and respectful. My eldest still insists (six months since leaving) to come into nursery when we drop off / pick up her sister so that she can hug her favourite teachers.

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Review from Gabrielle D (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been at Castle Nursery Markenfield for eighteen months and is really happy. The staff are very caring and supportive. The manager is very hands-on and knows all the children personally. Our daughter has had excellent care from four staff members in particular who have taken a lot of
time and effort to provide a fun, caring and supportive environment.

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Review from H D (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Fantastic nursery, all of my children have gone there (spanning over seven years) the whole team are excellent and the management couldn’t have done more to help and guide us through settling in sessions, potty training and weaning. I was anxious about leaving my youngest (7 months) but she is absolutely
thriving and I know she is safe and very well cared for!

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Review from C C (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot recommend Castle Nursery Markenfield highly enough. The staff go above and beyond to care for my children and genuinely care about all the children. The manager is excellent, always helpful and happy to talk and has always been supportive. We had recently relocated to the area when my eldest
began and we have made some great friends with other parents thanks to social events organised by the nursery for parents and also additional events for the children.

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Review from K P (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of our sons attend the nursery and we’ve had a really great experience. When I looked around nurseries before choosing our setting, they all seemed very similar, but when I got to Castle I was struck by how friendly and welcoming it was and I knew it was the right place for us. The team are great
with the children and have fantastic bonds. The way they settle them when they move up the rooms works well. I feel they are cared for well and the staff comfort them on the occasions they have felt a bit uncertain at drop off. Going to forest school is great too. We couldn’t be happier with our choice.

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Review from C H (Mother of Child) published on 19 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

What an amazing nursery. After my daughter being in a nursery prior to Castle , I can truly say that they have been nothing but outstanding. My daughter now leaves nursery happy and is always excited to do her days there with no trouble at all. The staff and their knowledge. I cannot thank them enough
for helping transition my daughter. If you are looking for a nursery/pre school you will not be disappointed!

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Review from Katrina T (Mother of Child) published on 17 February 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Castle nursery have been brilliant. My daughter had a very strong attachment to myself and so struggled with being left. The staff were very caring with her and comforting for me to see she was well looked after. The nursery has an interactive learning portal which allows me to see pictures of what
she has been doing which is lovely. In every room she has been she has bonded well with at least one of the staff members and talks about them at home lots. She only attends one day a week but I really feel that her confidence comes in part from the time she spends at Castle.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.859)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.859) out of 10 for Castle Nursery - Markenfield is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 14 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 14 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:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.887 for Castle Nursery - Markenfield is calculated as follows: ( (149 Excellents x 5) + (19 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 168 Ratings = 4.887

  • b) 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 4.972 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Castle Nursery - Markenfield is based on 14 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 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

    • ii) 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 72 number of registered child places is 14.4. 14 Positive Reviews ÷ 14.4 = 0.972

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (0)

There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for Castle Nursery - Markenfield

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Frequently Asked Questions about Castle Nursery - Markenfield

What is the Age Range of Children that Castle Nursery - Markenfield accepts?

Castle Nursery - Markenfield accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Castle Nursery - Markenfield Open?

Castle Nursery - Markenfield 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 Castle Nursery - Markenfield have capacity for?

Castle Nursery - Markenfield has capacity for a total of 72 Children.

How far is Castle Nursery - Markenfield to the centre of Guildford?

0.3 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 Castle Nursery - Markenfield to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Castle Nursery - Markenfield has an Enhanced Service - more info.