My granddaughter has developed very well in so many ways thanks to this nurseryKimberely S(Grandmother of Child)

A fantastic nursery in every way. My 3-year-old loves it here and has come on brilliantlyRebecca J(Mother of Child)

The manager of the nursery has always helped and supported us during the time my child has attendeG K(Father of Child)

My granddaughter has developed very well in so many ways thanks to this nurseryKimberely S(Grandmother of Child)

A fantastic nursery in every way. My 3-year-old loves it here and has come on brilliantlyRebecca J(Mother of Child)

The manager of the nursery has always helped and supported us during the time my child has attendeG K(Father of Child)

Thornton Lodge Day Nursery is situated in scenic surroundings and part of a pleasant village environment, where children can enjoy learning in extensive indoor and outdoor play facilities.
The facility supports healthy eating alongside sound education and has been awarded a five-star kitchen rating.
A great deal of expertise and care has gone into creating a stimulating and child-centred environment, with a blend of child-led and adult-led activities. All staff are...
Funding & Fees
8am to 6pm is charged at £66/session.
Early starts can be arranged from 7:30am, please call to discuss your requirements.
Please contact us for the latest prices.
We have a number of Sessions available to meet/match our parent's requirements.
We do not charge for Bank Holidays or any defined days that we are closed (Normally around Christmas).
Contact Thornton Lodge Day Nursery to get a personalised quote:
Type of Service
- Day Nursery
Opening Schedule
Open all yearFull days available
YesHalf day sessions offered
YesGroup/Owner
- 1st Safari Day Nurseries Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Gareth Rider-Smith (Nursery Manager)
Number of Childcare Staff
- 11
Total Places for Children
- 71
Age Range
- from 0 years 3 months
- to 5 years 0 months
Meals Provided
NoConsumables provided
NoOpening 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 only
Parking
- Unfortunately Thornton Lodge doesn't have any car parking facilities on site, however all Visitors and Parents can use King Edward Road to park above the nursery, to ensure free access up and down James Street in peak times, parking outside the nursery on the main road is available, but advise the use of King Edwards Road.
Thornton Lodge Day Nursery Reviews (162)
Thornton Lodge Day Nursery has a Review Score of 9.0 (9.009) out of 10, based on 7 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Thornton Lodge Day Nursery has 162 reviews.
Our experience has been great. The staff are friendly and good at what they do. Our daughter loves coming.
The staff at Thornton Lodge day nursery are very welcoming from the minute you arrive at the nursery. They tailor the day to your child's requirements and always provide you with feedback each day about what your child has been up to.
My daughter started at Thornton Lodge in January and already I've seen a massive difference in her, she absolutely loves going and speaks so highly of all the members of staff, I couldn't be happier and think the manager and team do an amazing job!
Both my children attend Thornton Lodge, one of which has attended from 5 months old. Both children look forward to going to nursery and my eldest can’t wait to tell me about her day when she gets home. Staff are lovely and cater to every individual child’s needs. My children have come on leaps and bounds since attending.
100% recommend Thornton Lodge Day Nursery, we couldn’t have chosen a better nursery for our children. All staff and facilities are definitely a 10/10, all staff are absolutely amazing with my children. They weren’t very sociable before starting nursery, due to lockdowns, but Thornton Lodge has definitely helped them shine, grow and come out of their shell. Thank you, Thornton Lodge.
My daughter absolutely loves attending Thornton Lodge Day Nursery. She has made lots of friends and always talks about her experiences and the activities she completes with the adults. All the staff are extremely friendly and approachable. Nothing is too much for them. Their flexibility has meant that we can work around my other half's shifts which has enabled us to spend more time together as a family. Now my son attends too and enjoys it just as much. I cannot recommend Thornton Lodge enough (and do to all my mum friends!).
My daughter has attended nursery since she was about 11-months-old (she is now 2 and a half). She has always been very happy, has made friends and enjoys going. The outdoor and indoor provision for play and learning are both great, and the nursery works hard to improve and build upon what they have to offer. The staff that I have had contact with have always been professional, friendly and caring.
Thornton Lodge is a fantastic nursery, all the staff are so friendly and caring. The manager, in particular, is brilliant with the kids and works so hard. I have had 3 kids go here and have never had any complaints. They have decent meals, spend loads of time outside and have made loads of friends. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a safe, happy environment for their kids to learn and develop.
My little girl has been attending this nursery for a little while now, and she absolutely loves it! The staff are just lovely and obviously care a lot about the children in their care. The facilities are great, and the menus are varied and nutritious. Just a great nursery all-around.
Since my son has been at this nursery, we both have loved coming. I feel the staff are always happy and polite. My son's confidence has grown and he gets excited about coming. He really does love this nursery.
My experience so far has been brilliant, nothing is too much trouble! My child has additional need and is no-verbal, the nursery have exceeded my expectations, the way they care for him I could not ask for anything better! I have noticed a change already in my son, he is becoming more confident and learning every day.
I like bringing my daughter into the nursery. Staff are very helpful, and always give you information and ready to help. My daughter is very happy there; she has learned a lot and has made friends. She is very happy.
My little girl had attended Thornton Lodge from the age of 9-months. She loves attending and has a great bond with the team, which are fantastic. Always happy to help and so approachable. Could not be happier with the help and support they have provided my little girl.
10/10 for me!
He has learnt so much and always brings home little craft projects and chatters away what he did that day.
I especially, loved the space theme last autumn!
All throughout lockdown, the nursery put strict procedures in place without losing its personal touch, so I felt it was a safe place for him to be.
My daughter attends here, and she has come on so well since she started. She loves the staff as well. Her speaking and learning are good for her age. She is very independent now and loves going every day.
The children are constantly provided with fun and educational tasks to do, get the chance to learn about different countries and cultures (for example celebrating Chinese New Year like many other things) as well as having little tea parties for events such as Valentine's day. Throughout the day, the children are provided with an amazing selection of food and snacks with a menu that alternates on a weekly basis, which gives children the opportunity to be introduced to new foods. On picking up your child, you are told in detail about your child's day. Overall amazing nursery with an excellent team!
My granddaughter has come on lots since being at this nursery. The manager is fantastic, couldn’t get anyone better. The staff are very good also. My granddaughter loves coming to nursery. I would recommend this nursery to anyone of my friends.
Our son is happy, well looked after and is doing more and more things as his development is encouraged and supported by his carers.
Communication from nursery is top class, just enough, not too much or too little. The manager is always available to help when we need it and is often far more flexible than we have the right to expect.
I highly recommend Thornton Lodge.
I did actually recommend the nursery to a friend who’s child does go to the nursery. I cannot give them enough praise for how they have helped with my son. He now eats fruits and veg, thank you to them, his talking has come on so much since he started there, and he now sings all the time. He is extremely happy to go and runs to nursery in a morning! The staff are amazing with him, and amazing at communicating with me about any concerns or even just potty training, which they have also helped with! Keep doing what you are doing guys; you are amazing!
My little boy started here at the start of January, and he is one of the youngest there. When I went to look around the nursery, I had lots of questions, and all were answered perfectly. The staff at Thornton Lodge have made the transition to the nursery so easy for myself and him. We get a daily report with what he has been doing and further information about his eating/feeding and sleeping whilst there, which is so helpful. I cannot thank the manager and the team more highly for the care they provide. Thank you very much.
Child Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (0) & Events (0)
There are no news items for Thornton Lodge Day Nursery.
There are no upcoming events for Thornton Lodge Day Nursery.
Awards / Recognitions (1)
- Recipient: Thornton Lodge Day NurseryDate: Thursday 01 Mar 2018
Meet the Team (2)
My Name is Gareth. I am the Nursery Manager at 1st Safari - Thornton Lodge.
I qualified in 2008 with a CACHE Diploma Level 3 in childcare. I then went on to complete my Foundation degree in Early Years in 2012.
I started working at the 1st Safari in 2010 as Nursery Manager. I have since been a manager at Sandpit Nursery for 18 months, part of the 1st Safari Group alongside running Thornton Lodge, and then, most recently, after leaving Sandpits Nursery, I have become the Manager of Dracup Lodge.
I work across all rooms in the nursery to support the staff and children with their learning and development and encourage the staff team to embed our learning and development programmes to get the best learning opportunities at home. I love my job, and I’m passionate about working with children.
My other roles within the nursery are safeguarding officer and health and safety officer. I have carried out many training courses, including EYFS, food hygiene, First Aid, and behaviour management.
With an incredible 25 years in childcare under her belt, Kalsum joined 1st Safari in February 2025, bringing a wealth of experience and an infectious passion for early years development. As Deputy Manager and Baby Room Leader, she works alongside Gareth to ensure Thornton Lodge remains a nurturing, safe, and fun environment where children can truly excel and reach their full potential. Her journey began with an NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing, and she's never stopped growing - progressing to achieve her Level 5 in Early Years and Management. After a quarter of a century in childcare, Kalsum firmly believes you should never be afraid to better yourself, and she continues to learn every day with guidance from her mentor, Gareth.
Ask Kalsum where her heart truly lies, and she'll tell you it's in the Baby Room. There's something magical about being part of those precious early milestones - helping little ones learn to sit up, stand, crawl, and take those wobbly first steps. She adores watching babies discover their voices, from adorable babbling to their very first words. Every single day brings new joy as she watches children learn, develop, and grow, eventually moving on to school and the big, wide world beyond nursery. For Kalsum, there's no greater privilege than giving children the best possible start to their early education journey.
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