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Thornton Lodge Day Nursery

1st Safari Day Nurseries Ltd, James Street, Thornton, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD13 3NR
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My granddaughter has developed very well in so many ways thanks to this nurseryKimberely S(Grandmother of Child)
Thornton Lodge Day Nursery, Bradford
A fantastic nursery in every way. My 3-year-old loves it here and has come on brilliantlyRebecca J(Mother of Child)
Thornton Lodge Day Nursery, Bradford
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, Bradford

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...  

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery

Opening Schedule

Open all year

Full days available

Yes

Half day sessions offered

Yes

Group / Owner

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

Opening Times

  • Monday08:00-18:00
  • Tuesday08:00-18:00
  • Wednesday08:00-18:00
  • Thursday08:00-18:00
  • Friday08:00-18:00

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.

Funding & Fees

Sessions: 8am to 1pm & 1pm to 6pm are charged at £38/session.
8am to 6pm is charged at £66/session.

Early starts can be arranged from 7:30am, please call to discuss your requirements.

Free Hours/Places for children 2-4 years (Subject to criteria), we also offer a Before and After School Care to Local Primary School and Holiday Club in School Holidays.
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:

Thornton Lodge Day Nursery Reviews (166)

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9.5

Thornton Lodge Day Nursery has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.489) out of 10, based on 11 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Thornton Lodge Day Nursery has 166 reviews.

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Review from Kelly S (Grandmother of Child) published on 12 February 2021 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience

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.

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Review from Christian O (Father of Child) published on 8 February 2021 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience
We have had our son in Thornton Lodge since he was 7-months-old. He is now a year old. We cannot praise the team at Thornton Lodge highly enough. They are well led by the manager, and he is well supported by a dedicated team.
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.

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Review from Emma C (Mother of Child) published on 8 February 2021 Submitted via Website•
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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!

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Review from Zoey T (Mother of Child) published on 8 February 2021 Submitted via Website•
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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.

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Review from M F (Mother of Child) published on 5 June 2020 Submitted via Postal Card•
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Excellent nursery. My son adores coming and loves all the nursery staff. 5 Stars.

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Review from Kimberely S (Grandmother of Child) published on 10 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card•
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My granddaughter has developed very well in so many ways thanks to this nursery. She absolutely loves coming to see her friends and staff.

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Review from Z D (Mother of Child) published on 9 January 2020 Submitted via Postal Card•
Overall Experience

My son has been going to the nursery since he was eleven months old, he is now three years old. He has progressed massively, all thanks to his key workers. The manager of the nursery has always helped and supported us during the time my child has attended. Great staff and environment. My smallest child will be starting the nursery and I know the staff will be excellent with him too.

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Review from Nicole (Mother of Child) published on 23 December 2019 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience

My little boy attended from the age of 10 months old up until September 2019. I can not express how amazing all the staff were with him, he loved going and seeing all of his friends and when he was in preschool class he was always coming home telling me what he learnt in phonics. He made so many friends and is such an outgoing happy boy and I believe a lot of that is down to the great staff. He had a great bond with all the staff too.

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Review from C R (Mother of Child) published on 15 November 2019 Submitted via Postal Card•
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My experience of putting my son in nursery for the 1st time has been made very easy for me as it is a big thing letting go. The staff have been fantastic and my son is loving it, he looks forward to going. He has come on leaps and bounds and my childs happy and well cared for. I couldn't ask for more.

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Review from V R (Mother of Child) published on 24 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card•
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The girls are really settled in nursery and love attending. They have good relationships with the staff and are developing well in the environment.

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Review from Rebecca J (Mother of Child) published on 24 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card•
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My son has settled in really well and enjoys his time here. Since starting nursery his skills in lots of areas have improved, he's learning to write his name, drawing and colouring skills are amazing for his age, and really loves the messy activities that he may be not able to do at home. I feel comfortable leaving him at the nursery and increasing his hours slowly over time as I know how much he gets from his time here. The staff are all friendly and fab with the children. Thank you.

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Review from Ellie H (Mother of Child) published on 24 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card•
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My son loves coming to nursery. He loves the activities which he takes part in and often talks about the staff and nursery when at home.

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Review from D M (Father of Child) published on 24 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card•
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My daughter loves going to Thornton Lodge, all the staff are helpful and friendly. Her development has really come on during her time at the nursery with the help of all the staff.

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Review from Nuala S (Mother of Child) published on 11 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card•
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I feel since starting nursery, my child has come on so much. The staff are so friendly and approachable, they always have time to talk and let you know how things have gone that day.
There's always a range of activities which my daughter loves, she's always bringing home her lovely pictures and things they've planted. She enjoys attending nursery so much. I think she would go on a weekend if she had the chance.

Thank you so much, everyone. You've made one little girl very happy indeed.

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Review from S H (Mother of Child) published on 11 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card•
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A fantastic nursery in every way.
My 3-year-old loves it here and has come on brilliantly since starting in September 2018.
Her speech has improved massively. As for the learning aspect of the day, there are both individual activities as well as group ones organised every day.

Plenty of outside play including learning activities are available.

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Review from Tracy M (Mother of Child) published on 11 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card•
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Very friendly staff.

My daughter is always happy and never wants to leave.

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Review from Zara E (Mother of Child) published on 9 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card•
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Has helped build my child's confidence. He now talks loads at home now, whereas before he hardly communicated.

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Review from Charlotte M (Mother of Child) published on 2 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card•
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My little girl loves coming to Thornton Lodge. She has lots of friends and have made close bonds with all the staff. She has learnt lots of new things since starting nursery eg days of the week, numbers, colours etc/.
Her talking has really come on since she started nursery and she can have a full conversation.
She has picked up toilet training really quicklty and is only 2. The manager and the girls are all very helpful and deal quickly with any queries we have.

My husband and I are very happy with Thornton Lodge and our little girl is very happy here. I would definitely recommend Thornton Lodge to friends and family.

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Review from Sadie B (Mother of Child) published on 2 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card•
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My daughter loves this nursery. Every single one of the staff are very friendly and I have never felt so comfortable leaving my child in any other setting as here.

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Review from Sally B (Mother of Child) published on 2 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card•
Overall Experience
I have absolutely no doubts with this nursery and I've always thought they were exceptional.

My daughter loves her nursery "pals" and of course the staff. I think the manager should be given the recognition he deserves as he is what has made this place exceptional. He has a heart of gold and would do anything for the children. I also thank the deputy, a great addition to the team. It's recognisable that they genuinely care for the children and what more could I want.

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Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

News (0) & Events (0)

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

Accreditations

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Meet the Team (2)

Gareth Rider-Smith
Gareth Rider-SmithJob Title:Nursery ManagerJoined: 2010

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.

Kaslum Arian
Kaslum ArianJob Title:Deputy Nursery ManagerJoined: 2025

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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