Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School

55 Forest Street, Shepshed, Loughborough LE12 9BZ
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9.6 105 Reviews
  • Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School, Loughborough
Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School is situated near the centre of Shepshed, close to the M1. The nursery has been refurbished throughout; with bright, open areas for babies, toddlers, early years and out-of-school children, from birth to 12-years-old.

The friendly, enthusiastic staff are all fully trained and very experienced, and child to staff ratios are even lower than Ofsted requirements.

Outside there is a garden designed to maximise the potential for outdoor play, and children are encouraged to choose their own activity with a huge variety of options both in and outside.

The nursery offers funded places for eligible 2, 3 and 4 year olds.

A fantastic nursery school environment, with the added care and attention that comes with a designated early years practitioner, and a ratio of only eight children to each member of staff.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Amy Sharpe (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 30

Total Places for Children

  • 120

Age Range

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

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

Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School Reviews (105)

9.6

Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.609) out of 10, based on 17 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School has 105 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 90
  • 12
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
Date Published
  • 105
  • 5
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  • 17
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Reviewer Connection to Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School
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Total of 105, showing 1-20
Review from Amy M (Mother of Child) published on 18 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We wanted to express how impressed we are with the nursery and all staff. Care and enrichment have been outstanding. Your early years educator has been an amazing addition to an already fabulous team. During transition days for our daughter's primary school, teachers commented on how effectively the
nursery and early years lead had prepared the children, actively ensuring their curriculums align. The early years educator's background in primary has not gone unnoticed! Our daughter has developed excellent skills (notably, phonics, maths and writing) and has thrived socially too. Thank you Children 1st!
Reply from Jessica Griffin, Marketing Executive at Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School
Thank you for your kind words. We're so pleased to hear how well your daughter has developed and how smoothly her school transition is going. It's great to know our team's efforts and curriculum…read more
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Review from Chris D (Father of Child) published on 10 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son is due to leave here in the coming weeks, we couldn't be happier with his development over his time with Amy and her team. Especially one staff member in particular. His confidence is sky high and his ability to confidentially achieve all the next steps required to help in him at his next adventure
are all conquered! Cannot thank these guys enough!
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Review from E L (Mother of Child) published on 10 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff are amazing and have been amazing with my daughter, she's grown so much in confidence since staring and has grown so many special bonds with staff and other children! She always comes home happy and tells us about everything she's got up to that day and always asking if she has nursery even
at the weekends!
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Review from L B (Mother of Child) published on 7 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This review is in relation to the graduation ceremony held for the children leaving to go to school. I cannot thank the staff at Children's 1st enough, from start to finish it was fantastic and just so special. Everything was so wonderfully planned and thought of, with the children having such a wonderful
time. I am so grateful for this and will remember it forever - thank you
Reply from Jessica Griffin, Marketing Executive at Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback about our graduation ceremony. It means a lot to hear how special the day felt for you and your family. The team worked hard to make it a memorable occasion…read more
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Review from James R (Father of Child) published on 27 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been coming here for nearly 2 years, and we cannot fault his development and the support he gets here. The outside space is brilliant, and the staff are all very friendly. would absolutely recommend
Reply from Jessica Griffin, Marketing Executive at Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. It's wonderful to hear how well your little one is developing and that you're happy with the care and support from our team. We're so pleased you enjoy our…read more
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Review from Fredrica N (Mother of Child) published on 9 May 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Child 1st provides very competent care for all age groups. Two of my children have attended the setting from babies and I couldn’t fault the staff, environment, and management. I travel an hour round trip for my children to attend because I have every confidence in the day-to-day running and the care
provided. While it’s as home from home as it can be, children's learning, behavior, and well-being are clearly at the forefront of the centre’s agenda. All staff are personable and try to accommodate as best as possible. Big thank you, long may it continue.
Reply from Lisa Wills, Director of Operations at Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review.
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Review from Cassie P (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my children attend Children’s 1st. Both started around ten months of age, and my eldest is doing her last few months before starting school!
I cannot recommend this nursery enough! The staff are fantastic. A special shout out to the preschool department staff, who really get your child to where
they should be before starting school.
I have never had any issues or complaints.
One of my children have food allergies, and the nursery have been fantastic. As the food is prepared freshly onsite, they cater for her needs.
A massive thank you!
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Review from C H (Mother of Child) published on 14 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter loves going to nursery and enjoys her time with friends and staff.
Will be sad to see her go to school this year!
Going to this nursery has brought her on no end.
She enjoys all of the food here too.
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Review from H L (Mother of Child) published on 14 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending Children's 1st in Shepshed since she was 11 months old. After getting a job post-maternity leave and needing her to start rather suddenly, the team at Shepshed were amazing at making sure the both of us were happy and settled before she started there.
Since attending
(she's now 3), she's come on in leaps and bounds in all areas. She's social, friendly, clever and curious and every day she comes home excited to tell us what she's done and learned.
The staff are incredible and attentive and always happy to see us. We feel very much at home there.
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Review from J O (Mother of Child) published on 7 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Overall, I’m extremely happy with this nursery and the care my daughter receives. She loves going there and has really good relationships with her key workers. The staff are very empathetic and are always there to listen to any concerns. The only thing I would say is sometimes my daughter comes home
hungry.
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Review from Hannah G (Mother of Child) published on 7 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Both of my children have attended Children 1st Shepshed (eldest from 2 years and youngest from 9 months old), I’ve received nothing but a positive experience. Everyone is always very friendly and help with any queries or issues I’ve had (which have been very few). My youngest had an intolerance to milk
and the staff were attentive with good communication in agreeing on what she can/can't eat at nursery plus it’s brilliant that oat milk is available. Support was given during potty training and also getting ready for school for my eldest.
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Review from K P (Mother of Child) published on 7 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Fabulous nursery with really friendly staff, my daughter loves being there, there is plenty of space with lots of different activities going on throughout the day. The outside area and all the equipment is brilliant too!
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Review from C A (Mother of Child) published on 7 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My boy has been going since he was two, turning four this year and we’ve been so pleased with everything overall and never had any concerns or worries! Always a happy boy when he’s picked up. His speech and language have come on milestones even with only going two days a week!
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Review from Chanel R (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son is on the pathway for non-verbal ASD and since starting this nursery he has come on so well. They have gone above and beyond for him and continue to do so. He is so comfortable in going and runs straight in and the staff are all so calm with him and know how to help with his needs. The SENCO
is amazing!
All the outdoor play they encourage is also amazing, no matter the weather.
My son also has sensory issues around food and the nursery is really good with accommodating this for him and separate the food for him.
The nursery is always clean and the staff are always very friendly and easy to talk to.
They have so many different resources for all children and they do a lot of messy play!
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Review from Vicki H (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter started at Children 1st Shepshed when she was 4 months old and she is now 2 years old. Since starting at the nursery my daughter has thrived and it’s very clear when other family and friends see us at the weekend that my daughter is really excelling in every stage and this is down to coming
to the nursery. The nursery cannot do enough for our daughter, she’s given seconds of most meals and sometimes she has thirds, we’ve had a brilliant workshop on potty training, the activities and experiences my daughter has at nursery are just fantastic and they are something I just couldn’t do at home. We visited three nurseries and chose to come to this one because it was clean, bright and the staff are just brilliant - every adult knows my daughter's name and they all seem to know something about her. We’ve never had tears at drop off and the bonds my daughter has made at nursery and I cannot wait to see how she progresses through the rest of her time at nursery.
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Review from R C (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Children 1st Shepshed has been great with my daughter and has been a real support for encouraging her to develop skills such as speech and independence. This month they put on a toilet training workshop which gave me a more realistic idea of how to go about it and seemed less overwhelming! We've also
recently found out that my daughter has some food intolerances that have affected her skin and the nursery has been supportive of this and helped me with speaking to the cook and coming up with a plan for how to tackle this whilst she's in their care. I'm grateful for all the staff and look forward to their continued support over the next couple of years!
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Review from C L (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The variety of all the different crafts, games and activities they do with the children is fantastic. The meals are always healthy, tasty and different flavours to what I would think to offer at home (in a good way!).
The staff are extremely friendly, helpful and you can tell they care.
Amazing nursery!
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Review from Sarah S (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I love that our son has taken really well into nursery life, shows that the staff are passionate about what they do. My only feedback would be, I would love to see more of what my son does in nursery life through pics etc, I know this will be hard to do all the time but it does make me feel better knowing
he’s having a good day.
Reply from David Hancock, Chief Executive at Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School
Dear Sarah, thank you for writing such a lovely review for our colleagues at the Shepshed Nursery. It's great to hear that your son is settled and happy at the nursery. The team will be happy to share…read more
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Review from M P (Mother of Child) published on 2 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Really lovely staff make you feel welcomed every morning and they are amazing with my child, they keep her happy all day long and she never wants to leave! Good food choice for the children also. She learns lots of new things every day and has come on so much since starting! Very happy, would highly
recommend.
Reply from David Hancock, Chief Executive at Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School
I’m so pleased to hear about your experience with Children 1st at Shepshed. I look forward to sharing these comments with the setting! Thank you.
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Review from Kyle L (Father of Child) published on 2 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Always friendly, helpful and engaging with the kids. My child loves to go and is always excited. They keep you informed on things that are going on and the portal is always helpful. Accident procedure is also very good, never an inch of detail missed on how it happened and so forth.
Reply from David Hancock, Chief Executive at Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School
I’m so pleased to hear your positive experience with Children 1st @ Shepshed. I’m also pleased to know that the procedures we have in place for parent updates is meeting parent’s needs. As well as the…read more
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Current Review Score: 9.6 (9.609)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.6 (9.609) out of 10 for Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School 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 17 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.7 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 4.901 for Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School is calculated as follows: ( (183 Excellents x 5) + (18 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 202 Ratings = 4.901
  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 4.708 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School 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 120 number of registered child places is 24. 17 Positive Reviews ÷ 24 = 0.708
  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

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Awards / Recognitions (6)

Meet the Team (1)

Amy

Amy Sharpe

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2006

Hi, my name is Amy Sharpe and I am the Nursery Manager at Children 1st @ Shepshed. I have worked for Children 1st @ Shepshed since the company took over the nursery I had worked at for 4 years in April 2010. I have had experience in all of the age groups throughout my career but found my passion was the Early Years age group. I worked as the Early Years Practitioner in the nursery for 3 years before being given the opportunity for the position as Deputy Manager. I still enjoy spending lots of time doing activities with the children in all of the different age groups in nursery. I have completed my degree, which I worked towards alongside working at nursery. I enjoy horse-riding lessons at the weekend and can usually be found with my nose in a book when at home!

Frequently Asked Questions about Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School

What is the Age Range of Children that Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School accepts?

Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School Open?

Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School is open: 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.

How many Children does Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School have capacity for?

Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School has capacity for a total of 120 Children.

How far is Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School to the centre of Loughborough?

3.3 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 Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Children 1st Shepshed Nursery School has an Enhanced Service - more info.