Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street

Dryden Street, Manchester M13 9AU
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9.4 30 Reviews
  • Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street, Manchester
Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street is a purpose-built facility that opened in 2002, situated close to the Manchester University campus in an ideal location for local parents.

Welcoming children between the ages of 3 months and five years, the facility practices age-specific learning, with separate rooms suiting the objectives of a talented team, as well as a secure outdoor play area.

Children are able to develop in a caring and homely ambience, with all families welcomed and treated as unique.

Nursery Education Grant funding is available.

Please contact to arrange your personal viewing.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Amanda Newsham (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 25

Total Places for Children

  • 86

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Contact us to learn more about our competitive fee structure. Funded spaces available.

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:30-17:30
    Tuesday 08:30-17:30
    Wednesday 08:30-17:30
    Thursday 08:30-17:30
    Friday 08:30-17:30

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays, Christmas & New Year

Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street Reviews (30)

9.4

Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street has a Review Score of 9.4 (9.370) out of 10, based on 12 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street has 30 reviews.

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Reviewer Connection to Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street
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Total of 30, showing 1-20
Review from Shafaq M (Mother of Child) published on 7 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My baby girl has been at Holyrood Dryden Street nursery for nearly a year now, and I've seen such a positive change in her,she's growing in confidence every day. She absolutely loves being there and adores the staff. I really appreciate all the care and hard work they put in. I trust them completely
and would recommend this nursery to everyone!
Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Holyrood Nursery Dryden StreetThank you so much for your kind and heartfelt feedback. Were absolutely delighted to hear how much your little girl enjoys her time with us at Holyrood Dryden Street and that youve seen such positive growth in her confidence.It means so much to the entire team to know that our care and efforts are making a real difference. We strive to create a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment where every child can thrive, so hearing that your daughter is happy and flourishing is truly rewarding.Were also incredibly grateful for your trust and recommendation its the highest compliment we could receive.
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Review from Clara G (Mother of Child) published on 3 September 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Holyrood Dryden Nursery has been outstanding for our kids. They have been very happy and really enjoyed going to school. The playground and facilities are amazing and our kids have improved a lot their motor skills. The staff has always been very respectful, and we felt that they really cared about
our children. They have also helped us a lot in the application for funded hours. Finally, we have also appreciated the fact that it was a multicultural environment. Our children did not speak a word of English and after 6 months they can communicate fluently.
Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Holyrood Nursery Dryden StreetThank you for your lovely review and what a delight it is to hear how your children's communication has flourished! Thank you for choosing Thrive.
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Review from M M (Mother of Child) published on 12 July 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have had such a wonderful experience at Holyrood Dryden St. Our son started in Toddler 1 in September 2023 and loved it from day one. It has been a joy to see him grow, learn, and thrive under the care of the T1 staff. His key worker is especially wonderful, she quickly formed a bond with our son,
making a real effort to get to connect with him as an individual. Reading his latest report, we were amazed at how well she knows him, her descriptions of his tastes, interests, personality, development etc are just spot on! We are relocating in a few weeks and will be very sad to leave Dryden St. Thank you to everyone at Dryden St for making my son's first experience of nursery/childcare/education so wonderful. We'd highly recommend this nursery to prospective parents.
Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Holyrood Nursery Dryden StreetThank you ever so much for your glowing review from all at Thrive childcare.
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Review from T A (Mother of Child) published on 21 June 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son recently started here at Dryden Street Nursery and he has settled so well! He loves the staff and seems to always be happy to be there. His room is really engaging and I absolutely love seeing the regular updates on the app.
Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Holyrood Nursery Dryden StreetThank you from all at Thrive Childcare for your lovely review of our Dryden Street nursery.
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Review from R N (Mother of Child) published on 8 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Dryden Street is a nursery that I would highly recommend. My son has been attending since he was 11 months old and he absolutely loves it. The staff members at this nursery are truly wonderful. They care for the children with love and affection, and they are always supportive and kind to parents, offering
helpful advice. They go the extra mile to ensure our son's well-being and education. The nursery facilities are very clean and purpose-built, with ample outdoor space. The activities provided are both creative and sensory, and the staff put a lot of effort into making everyday fun for the children. I would like to express my gratitude to all the staff members for the exceptional work they do.
Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Holyrood Nursery Dryden StreetThank you so much for your wonderful words, we really appreciate it. Our team will be delighted to read your lovely review. All the best, the Thrive team.
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Review from Aarti K (Mother of Child) published on 5 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Holyrood Nursery is a brilliant place. Our daughter started in 2022 in Toddler 2 and she loved it there. The staff are kind, patient, understanding and genuinely care about the kids. She has learnt so much at the nursery, we were always amazed at the new words and phrases she picked up. She has now
moved to Early Years 2 and loves it there. It's all very exciting for us as parents. When she started I used to feel guilty leaving her there in part because I thought that I should spend more time with her, but she seems to really enjoy her time there, which made me feel so much better.
The amenities at Holyrood Nursery are good, and the staff always make an effort to take info account any specific needs of the children.
We were so pleased with the place that our son started there as well in 2023. The staff were very patient with him, they even managed to get him to drink milk from a bottle. Something we were unable to do- we tried for months! Would definitely recommend Holyrood Nursery.
Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Holyrood Nursery Dryden StreetThank you so much for your wonderful words, what a brilliant success story with your son taking milk from a bottle at nursery! We really appreciate you taking the time to write the review. Our team will be delighted. All the best, the Thrive team.
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Review from Claire F (Mother of Child) published on 5 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child has been at the nursery a year, settling in when he was 9 months old. He's done so very well, they're flexible, fair, caring, informative, helpful, and all-round lovely.
I can confidently say that my child has loved being in toddler 1 for the past year, and I feel that he gets the attention,
entertainment, and nourishment he needs. Often coming home with something he's painted, and always happy to go in and to see me. He enjoys the food, staff, and overall setup.
They're very supportive and reactive to his growth and advancement, taking on when we want them to do something, and giving feedback on how he's doing and where they think he is progressing well and discussing changes to his routine or equipment/clothing.
Playground has improved. Buggy park is often busy. Very responsive to phone calls. Rain occasionally stops the gate or intercom from working, but calling always works. Great that I can pay via salary sacrifice.
Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Holyrood Nursery Dryden StreetThank you so much for your wonderful words, we really appreciate it. Our team will be delighted to read your lovely review. All the best, the Thrive team.
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Review from Shaista M (Mother of Child) published on 5 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street is a safe and delightful place for my child. The staff are friendly, well trained and considerate. There is a true sense of diversity and inclusion reflecting amongst the staff. I feel my child is growing up in a multicultural place where he would learn tolerance and flexibility.
Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Holyrood Nursery Dryden StreetThank you so much for your wonderful words, we really appreciate it. Our team will be delighted to read your lovely review. All the best, the Thrive team.
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Review from E S (Mother of Child) published on 5 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am extremely pleased with the nursery. My daughter is 16 months old, she took a little while to settle, as to be expected, but the staff were very kind and helpful through this time. Now, a few months on she really loves coming and speaks her friend's names at home all the time! There are lots of
lovely activities every day, crafts, painting, sand, singing, water even ice play. They celebrate major holidays with themed activities. Staff work hard to keep the children amused and on track with development and are very kind. We also get nice updates most days with photos to see what they are up to.
Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Holyrood Nursery Dryden StreetThank you so much for your wonderful words, we really appreciate it. Our team will be delighted to read your lovely review. All the best, the Thrive team.
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Review from Rebecca M (Mother of Child) published on 3 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I love this nursery. They have always been very understanding with my little boy and have always gone the extra mile for him. I could not be happier with his nursery experience! They have helped my little boy develop and have always given him the space he needs.
Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Holyrood Nursery Dryden StreetThank you so much for your wonderful words, we really appreciate it. Our team will be delighted to read your lovely review. All the best, the Thrive team.
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Review from Felipe S (Father of Child) published on 3 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I discovered a fantastic nursery for my child's early education. The staff, notably the manager with her warm smile, are always helpful. Team members are ever-ready to assist.
The nursery offers diverse daily activities, fostering interaction and skills like painting and outdoor play. An app keeps
parents updated on their child's day, emphasising core values and citizenship.
Regular feedback covers our child's activities, diet, and progress, ensuring a comprehensive overview. Classroom updates on monthly books, languages, and songs, along with group activities, keep us informed. Children's belongings are clearly labelled at the entrance, and the staff is always available to address any questions or concerns.
Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Holyrood Nursery Dryden StreetThank you so much for your wonderful words, we really appreciate it. Our team will be delighted to read your lovely review. All the best, the Thrive team.
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Review from Ayobami O (Mother of Child) published on 20 December 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street is an outstanding nursery. Since my son has been attending the nursery since January 2023, he has enjoyed his time there very much. It is like a second home to him. The joy he expresses, once we arrive at the nursery, shows how much he adores the place. The nursery is
full of engaging activities to help children grow. The activities include painting, identifying aquatic and land creatures, building and constructing, stacking games, making music, mud house plays and other outdoor activities. The nursery staff are kind, jovial and helpful. Additionally, they provide feedback on the kids' progress. They ensure that the kids are clean, warm, well-rested, well-fed and happy. I have walked in several times unannounced and all I find is a happy child either playing, sleeping or even eating. Thank you, Holyrood, for caring for my son. If you are considering taking your child there, please do. It is worth all the money and I am sure your child will love it there.
Reply from Jenni McDougall, Operations Project Manager at Holyrood Nursery Dryden StreetThank you for such a glorious review and for taking the time to mention the delicious meals the nursery provide and the activities your son takes part in which are exciting and varied. The team are truly grateful for your feedback.
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Review from Rahma A (Mother of Child) published on 18 June 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Dryden Nursery is extremely one of the outstanding nurseries not just in UK but actually around the world. It gives all children even new born to develop their mentality and language in an impressive manner. It is as a second home for them!
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Review from Petra C (Mother of Child) published on 17 June 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My daughter has been in this nursery for almost a year and she is very happy and content here. Staff are always helpful and special requests always accommodated. It's quite small so has a nice family feel to it as you get to know everybody that works here over time. Would definitely recommend.
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Review from Ruth L (Mother of Child) published on 17 June 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent nursery, fantastic staff. My daughter has settled well and loves her nursery family. Thank you!
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Review from Anne (Mother of Child) published on 17 June 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
So my little gal moved EY2 to EY3. The fact that the managers were so patient with her they managed to find a solution to make the process smooth for her. What I am trying to say is that they care and make sure your child is happy. Apart from that just looking at my little gal it is a fun place to be.
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Review from Budoor A (Mother of Child) published on 17 June 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I think, I am happy with nursery’ Service. The kids well organised in the rooms by their ages. The staff so kind and helpful with kids. The most thing I like is the report given to the parents everyday which summarise the activity, sleep times and males given to the kids. My kid is so happy and comfortable
and he learn many thing e.g. numbers, colours and animals. Overall, I think the nursery is good place for kids.
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Review from Michelle C (Mother of Child) published on 17 June 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My toddler has been very happy at Dryden: he enjoys the varied indoor & outdoor activities, the delicious daily lunch and tea prepared on-site and is very attached to his teachers. His face lights up every day when we get to the gates. We feel very confident about dropping him off here each day, and
couldn’t be more pleased with the rapport the teachers have with the children, the thought that goes into the types of activities provided, and the degree to which the management is attentive to any questions or concerns that arise (something I especially appreciate as a new mum). Dryden is an outstanding nursery.
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Review from Silke T (Mother of Child) published on 16 April 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are extremely happy with the nursery, all staff are extremely friendly and professional, and our child is very happy. We are perfectly well informed of his days and his general development. We love the warm and welcoming atmosphere the nursery has created.
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Review from Hazel B (Mother of Child) published on 16 April 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending Dryden Street since she was 8 months old and will continue to attend until she starts school later this year. Staff at the nursery have been very supportive throughout every stage of her development to this point, and are always happy to offer advice relating to any issues
we have faced outside nursery. They were particularly helpful when she was reluctant to eat and have handled her milk allergy very well - her food is prepared separately when necessary, and she is always offered an alternative rather than missing out. My daughter is very fond of the staff and still likes to speak to those who cared for her in the baby and toddler rooms whenever she sees them. I have always felt that she was safe in their care, and I believe they have prepared her very well for her upcoming move into school.
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Current Review Score: 9.4 (9.370)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.4 (9.370) out of 10 for Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street 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 12 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.5 out of 5 from 12 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 4.872 for Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street is calculated as follows: ( (123 Excellents x 5) + (18 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 141 Ratings = 4.872
  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 4.498 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street is based on 12 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 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 3.8
    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 86 number of registered child places is 17.2. 12 Positive Reviews ÷ 17.2 = 0.698
  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 (5)

Meet the Team (1)

Amanda

Amanda Newsham

Job Title: Dual Site Nursery Manager Joined: 2020

Amanda manages Holyrood Dryden Street, providing childcare for families who work at the University of Manchester and families in the local community.

Frequently Asked Questions about Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street

What is the Age Range of Children that Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street accepts?

Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street Open?

Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street is open: Monday 08:30-17:30, Tuesday 08:30-17:30, Wednesday 08:30-17:30, Thursday 08:30-17:30, Friday 08:30-17:30.

How many Children does Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street have capacity for?

Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street has capacity for a total of 86 Children.

How far is Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street to the centre of Manchester?

1.0 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 Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Holyrood Nursery Dryden Street has an Enhanced Service - more info.