Friends Forest Nursery - Ash

Manor Road, Ash, Aldershot GU12 6QH
Review Us
9.9 106 Reviews
  • Friends Forest Nursery - Ash, Aldershot
Friends Forest Nursery Ash is a nursery with a difference. Situated in the Surrey Hills, this Forest School Nursery inspires children with a hands-on approach to learning both indoors and out.

At Forest School, children will be encouraged to discover, explore, observe and question what they find in their outdoor environment by: making dens; exploring tracks; using simple hand tools to make wooden objects; creating art; playing and climbing; finding and identifying wildlife; creating and following maps; enjoying stories and songs… in all weather and in all seasons.

The staff team work with parents to ensure children develop socially, intellectually, culturally, physically and emotionally in a caring and secure environment.

Back in the classroom, the nursery's philosophy is that every child they care for deserves a calm, caring, safe and stimulating environment in which to learn.



The nursery offers children nutritionally-balanced, home-cooked meals.

Children also take part in a range of extra curricular activities which promote your child’s well-being and confidence.
Show Friends Forest Nursery - Ash on the Map

Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Danielle Brennan (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 18

Total Places for Children

  • 45

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Please contact us for a copy of our current fees or for any information on funding.

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 & 1 week at Christmas

Friends Forest Nursery - Ash Reviews (106)

9.9

Friends Forest Nursery - Ash has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.892) out of 10, based on 10 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Friends Forest Nursery - Ash has 106 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 104
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Date Published
  • 106
  • 4
  • 5
  • 10
  • 96
Reviewer Connection to Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
  • 85
  • 17
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
Total of 106, showing 21-40
Review from Keira W (Mother of Child) published on 19 December 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot begin to say how happy I am with this nursery. My son has been attending since he was 9 months old and it is a second home to him, the staff are so caring and it is very clear that they are invested in the children and their wellbeing and development, it is a vocation, not a job. The management
team are lovely, super responsive and efficient. The nursery has a friendly, familiar feel to it and everything from the food cooked by the lovely in-house chef, to the activities they do are designed to provide the best quality to the children. Every detail has been thought out and the children spend lots of time outside which I love. The app enables the staff to communicate with me throughout the day and makes me feel connected, the facilities are so clean and the outside space is fantastic. My son runs in every morning, and all the staff love him and know him by name, even the staff from other age rooms, it is a great environment and cannot recommend it enough.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Andrea P (Mother of Child) published on 18 October 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Could not recommend Friends Forest Nursery more. Our son loves it there. Lovely small setting, which means all staff know the children really well. They are all very loving and caring with the children. Our son has some developmental needs and right from the start they have been very supportive. They
have put care plans and strategies in place and communicated well with some of the health professionals involved. I was very nervous about sending our son to nursery before he started, but they allowed plenty of settling in time for us, to put us at ease and I'm totally confident now, that he is in great hands. We are very very happy there.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from K C (Mother of Child) published on 3 June 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter goes to this Nursery while I work and I have complete peace of mind that she is being cared for without having to worry. The staff are extremely kind and friendly and my daughter absolutely loves them. The nursery itself has a lovely atmosphere with everything my daughter needs. I recommend
this nursery to all my family and friends.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Beverley R (Mother of Child) published on 2 June 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My boys have attended Friends Forest Nursery for 4 months now and the progress in their confidence and abilities is phenomenal. They look forward to coming to Nursery and I feel happy leaving them with staff members who genuinely care and nurture them. I couldn’t ask for a better place for them to learn
and grow.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Hannah P (Mother of Child) published on 14 January 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have been so pleased with how well our daughter has settled into the nursery. The staff could not be more friendly and caring; they helped her with the transition to nursery. Communication with the nursery is excellent. We couldn’t be happier. Thank you!
Reply from The Staff Team, Manager at Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
Thank you for your lovely review, we are delighted to hear how much your daughter has settled in with us and your positive thoughts on our nursery.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Inga B (Mother of Child) published on 3 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
When I visited the Friends Forest Nursery - Ash nursery on their open day in 2019 I didn’t want to leave again. The girls were so lovely and what they offer in the indoor and outdoor spaces just looked incredible. Now both of my kids go and they and I couldn’t be happier. They cater for every wish I
have for my kid’s and they know everything my kids have done, eaten, asked for, said and thought about on that day. My kids never cried at drop off or pick up. They have amazing measures in place for the current situation. Had no cases and are always up to date with everything. The parents get updated with newsletters about what the kids have done for activities and what will be up in the following weeks and months.
We couldn’t ask for better people to look after our kids.
Reply from The Staff Team, Manager at Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
Thank you for your amazing review, we are delighted to read your positive feedback and journey with us.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Lorelli S (Mother of Child) published on 25 October 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
What a wonderful Nursery! Attending this setting was my child’s first time away from immediate family due to a health pandemic and all the staff were so attentive helped him settle in so well! The staff provides a home-from-home experience and will go above and beyond to make sure your child is comfortable
and happy, from fussy eaters to difficult sleepers! My son came on leaps and bounds since attending this setting from walking to saying his first words. My son has recently left the setting due to a family move and I can honestly say I don’t think I’ll ever find a setting I will feel as comfortable leaving my child as I did this one. Highly recommend a visit, you will not be disappointed!
Reply from The Staff Team, Manager at Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
Thank you for your kind review, we are delighted to read your positive feedback.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Amy W (Mother of Child) published on 11 September 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are so happy with the Ash branch! Our son is extremely happy, and very well looked after when he is there. We feel very comfortable with the team looking after him and know he is going to learn and progress so much while being here.
Reply from The Staff Team, Manager at Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
Thank you for your kind review, we are delighted to hear your positive thoughts and feedback on our Nursery.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Natalie M (Mother of Child) published on 3 September 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has recently started at Friends Forest Nursery and I am honestly so impressed! Every member of staff I have met is so warm and friendly and I get such a good feel for the place every time I drop her off - even in these strange times with Covid restrictions.
Reply from The Staff Team, Manager at Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
Thank you for your kind review, we are delighted to hear your positive feedback on our Nursery.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Lindi W (Mother of Child) published on 25 June 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our experience of Friends Forest has been really great. My son’s key workers are fantastic and so great with him. We were really nervous about starting nursery after being in lockdown but they made things so much easier for us.
Reply from The Staff Team, Manager at Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
Thank you for your fantastic review, we are delighted to hear your positive feedback.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Chris G (Father of Child) published on 28 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending Friends Forest Nursery for nearly 3 years starting in the baby room, toddler and now preschool. He has loved every minute of his time in each room and the activities they do, along with all the time spent out in the forest garden. The team have always been engaging and supportive
of him especially through room transitions which all went very smoothly. The balance of structured activities, free play and time spent outside or on forest walks, feels right for his age and he’s always excited to tell us about his day, what they got up to and what things he had to eat today. I would highly recommend Friends Forest Nursery to any parents.
Reply from The Staff Team, Manager at Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
Thank you for your lovely review, we are delighted to hear your positive feedback on our Nursery.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Gemma N (Mother of Child) published on 28 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since joining this nursery, our daughter has developed at an accelerated rate. She loves going to nursery and she adores the team who work with her. It is very clear from the daily feedback that we receive, how well she is cared for and looked after. Her development reports are detailed and clear. Every
day our daughter embarks on an exciting new adventure and she is thrilled to tell us about it. I am so pleased that we sent our daughter to this nursery and we were lucky enough to get a space. The staff are friendly, approachable and reassuring - especially during this time. We are very pleased with our daughter's nursery and we would recommend it.
Reply from The Staff Team, Manager at Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
Thank you for your lovely review, we are delighted to hear your positive feedback on our Nursery.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Hannah A (Mother of Child) published on 28 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son loves the nursery and the staff have been amazing. They take him outside a lot which he loves. He is always happy when we pick him up and we are so pleased he has been able to keep going even during the pandemic.
Reply from The Staff Team, Manager at Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
Thank you for your lovely review, we are delighted to hear your positive feedback on our Nursery and how happy your son is with us.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Lisa W (Mother of Child) published on 11 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been going to the preschool for about a month now and I have nothing but positive things to say about everyone there. She really enjoys her sessions and I love that I get an update at the end of the session about what she’s been doing, who she’s been playing with and her character in
general. It’s been tough with Covid-19 finding a nursery and feeling confident that my daughter will be well cared for but everyone here has been very supportive and my daughter goes in and comes out very happy and confident.
Reply from The Staff Team, Manager at Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
Thank you for your lovely review, we are delighted to hear your positive feedback.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Elaine N (Grandmother of Child) published on 23 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have nothing but praise for this nursery. The staff are extremely good with the children and the nursery itself is of a very high standard. I would recommend anyone to send their child here without hesitation.
Reply from The Staff Team, Manager at Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
Thank you for your kind review, we are delighted to hear your positive feedback!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Raymond A (Grandfather of Child) published on 23 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I find all the staff very cheerful and get good feedback of my grandchild when I pick up. The manager is very efficient and very alert as she does checks and password to make sure I am who I am, which is very reassuring to myself and other parents. My grandchild always comes out very happy and tells
me everything about the day.
Reply from The Staff Team, Manager at Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
Thank you for your kind review, we are delighted to hear your positive feedback!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Colin R (Father of Child) published on 23 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have been taking our little ones to Friends Forest Nursery - Ash for over five years now and both children have loved every minute. All of the staff take great care of the children and show an active interest in their well-being and development. I would highly recommend Friends Forest Nursery -
Ash to anyone requiring childcare as they are the best!
Reply from The Staff Team, Manager at Friends Forest Nursery - Ash
Thank you for your kind review, we are delighted to hear your positive feedback!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Clare C (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All of the staff members are polite and friendly and I feel like my child's key people really know her and she is very comfortable with them. They seem to eat well and they get involved in different activities that they wouldn't maybe do at home. The management is accommodating and always willing to
give an update on children if required, so it puts us parents at ease. Especially, when at the moment, we cannot see our children in their nursery setting. We have already recommended the nursery to our close friends.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Priscilla H (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing nursery! My son joined in January 2021. I have seen him become more active and chatty. They take him out for playtime and walks in the garden and give him nourishing food.
Looking to increase his days when I can!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Victoria N (Mother of Child) published on 12 February 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at Friends for over a year, I felt a bit anxious at first (more for me being by myself!) but since being there I’ve watched her confidence grow and she’s always so happy to go, this feels me with joy knowing she’s always having such fun through learning. The nursery is always so
well equipped and clean, the staff are great at keeping her attention with lovely new ideas and adventures for her both inside and outside with the added benefits of being a forest school. The food is always of a very high standard with a great variety, I feel as though my daughter is getting lots of lovely nutritious meals and snacks and she can be a fussy eater, they always accommodate to make her happy. The team at Friends really are exceptional, they always have a smile on their faces and their attention to detail is impeccable. I highly recommend Friends to anyone thinking of sending their child to nursery, it really is outstanding.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.892)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.892) out of 10 for Friends Forest Nursery - Ash 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 10 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 10 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 4.892 for Friends Forest Nursery - Ash is calculated as follows: ( (107 Excellents x 5) + (13 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 120 Ratings = 4.892
  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 Friends Forest Nursery - Ash is based on 10 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 45 number of registered child places is 9, which has been reached with 10 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 (8)

Meet the Team (2)

Danielle

Danielle Brennan

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2022

Danielle has been the manager of Friends since 2024, she has a level 3 in childcare.

Jaycee

Jaycee Taylor

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2022

Jaycee has been the deputy manager since June 2024, she has been at friends since 2022.

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