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Thornton Lodge Day Nursery

1st Safari Day Nurseries Ltd, James Street, Thornton, Bradford BD13 3NR
1st Safari Day Nurseries Ltd Logo
Thornton Lodge Day Nursery logo
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...  

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:

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

Meals Provided

No

Consumables provided

No

Opening 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)

9.0

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.

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Showing 162 reviews matching selected criteria
Review from Gem W (Mother of Child) published on 28 December 2017 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Thornton Lodge is a wonderful nursery! I have recommended them many times over and will continue to do so, my kids love it there! My son has attended since he was 1 - he had life-saving heart surgery at just 5 days old and as such he has been a little behind in reaching his developmental goals, the nursery is great with him and have been from day dot - I now love watching my son laugh and run in to greet the special people that work there! They have also done lots of work with my 3-year-old daughter, who has come on leaps and bounds and we’re so lucky that she is able to attend in school holidays. The manager and all the hard working team there need a massive pat on the back, it takes a great person to work with kids and has the patience and understanding required to truly care! Well done and a massive thank you to each and every one of you!

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Review from Emma (Mother of Child) published on 28 December 2017 Submitted via Website
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This is an excellent nursery, highly recommend!! The manager and his team work so hard and do such a brilliant job.

My daughter absolutely loves coming to the nursery she has very good bonds with the staff + her peers. Over the past 9 months of her attending, she has definitely excelled in her learning and she always has a fun filled busy day.

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Review from Jodie M (Mother of Child) published on 28 December 2017 Submitted via Website
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I cannot recommend Thornton Lodge enough. My son absolutely loves nursery and since he started has come on so much. He has made lots of friends there and he adores all the staff.
The manager and deputy manager are absolutely brilliant, flexible and always approachable. All the staff are friendly and take any concerns seriously. I know of several others that have since joined after seeing the progress my son has made here. Their kids also love nursery.

They also offer a school collection service which I use for my eldest child and again there has never been any issues. So happy to have sent my children here and will always recommend them xx

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Review from Nikki (Mother of Child) published on 28 December 2017 Submitted via Website
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I absolutely love this nursery.. the staff are all so friendly and my daughter loves them.. they have helped so much in every day from ditching the dummy to toilet training.. they can not help you enough.

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Review from Michala F (Mother of Child) published on 28 December 2017 Submitted via Website
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My daughter has attended this nursery for nearly 4 years she now goes before and after school and school holidays, the staff are lovely and very informative. Always take an interest in my daughter and deal with any concerns I have. I've never had any problems. It's a fab nursery.

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Review from Lucy H (Mother of Child) published on 28 December 2017 Submitted via Website
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My son has attended Thornton Lodge since he was a baby, and has clearly enjoyed his time here. All of the staff are knowledgeable and friendly, and genuinely care for the well-being of your child. We will be sad to leave next year when he starts reception, especially after the brilliant nativity the children and staff put on this year!

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Review from K L (Mother of Child) published on 15 August 2017 Submitted via Postal Card
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Staff are fantastic at Thornton Lodge! My little girl absolutely loves going and leaving her at 6 months old, it was made a lot less traumatic by the staff!

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Review from Sam L (Mother of Child) published on 28 July 2017 Submitted via Website
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My son has been attending Thornton Lodge since February 2017 and he has settled so well. He loves coming to nursery and has formed some outstanding relationships with the staff. He is well cared for and nothing is ever too much for the staff. They are all very welcoming and I am always greeted into nursery with a big smile.

The manager is an absolute asset to the nursery! He is understanding and is so caring with the children. The resources in the nursery are good and there is plenty for the children to do. Coming from an Early Years background and working in childcare for over 16 years, I am extremely particular when it comes to providing good, quality childcare and Thornton Lodge certainly provide that. I am extremely happy with the service I receive and the care and attention they give my son.

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Review from Sophie K (Mother of Child) published on 17 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card
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My son has attended Thornton Lodge Day Nursery since September 2016 and he has been very happy here. He attends 1 day per week and always asks to go every morning. I have noticed his speech is developing more and he has more confidence in social situations than he has before. I am confident I made the correct decision for my son by enrolling him at Thornton Lodge Day Nursery and cannot thank the welcoming and supportive staff enough for making myself and my son so welcome.

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Review from Sophie M (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card
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I am happy with the service here, my child is always happy to go in and is happy when I collect her.

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Review from Kayleigh C (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card
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Excellent experience at Thornton Lodge, very helpful and flexible with hours. My daughter found it difficult to come to the nursery at first but soon settled down thanks to all the staff that helped her along. Would definitely recommend this nursery.

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Review from Fatima S (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card
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It has been a great experience having my son come to this nursery. I feel with their care and activities they have bought lots of positive changes in my son. He is more confident and happy since coming here. The staff are very helpful and understanding, I am regularly informed about his developments and explained set targets they have for him. Overall I am very happy to have my son come to this nursery.

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Review from R P (Mother of Child) published on 9 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card
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Good team.

Very supportive to the children and toddlers.

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Review from Carrie T (Mother of Child) published on 29 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card
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My son thoroughly enjoys his days here.

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Review from Eleesha W (Mother of Child) published on 29 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card
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Very happy and friendly staff. My daughter is always happy when in nursery and very well looked after. I am always well informed of eating habits and activities done during the day when I pick her up. Overall, I am happy with mine and my daughters experience here.

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Review from J S (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card
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Very good nursery. They have accommodated my son's dietary needs excellently.

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Review from J K (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card
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I would recommend this nursery to anyone. My son loves every member of staff and enjoys everyday there.

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Review from S P (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card
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Excellent nursery. My daughter attended Thornton Lodge and there was never a doubt our son would also. Well run, attentive staff that build relations with parents as well as children. My son is frequently reluctant to leave when picked up! I would recommend the nursery to family and friends.

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Review from D M (Father of Child) published on 27 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card
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My child has come on leaps and bounds since starting at Thornton Lodge. His relationship with all members of staff is great and he can't wait to attend. As a parent I could not be happier and would recommend Thornton Lodge to other parents.

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Review from Marc C (Father of Child) published on 27 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card
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I love this place, thank you for all your efforts.

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Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

News (0) & Events (0)

News

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Upcoming Events

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

Meet the Team (2)

Gareth Rider-Smith Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2010
Gareth Rider-Smith

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 Job Title: Deputy Nursery Manager Joined: 2025
Kaslum Arian

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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