Thornton Lodge Day Nursery

1st Safari Day Nurseries Ltd, James Street, Thornton, Bradford BD13 3NR
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9.9 161 Reviews
  • 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 carefully vetted and there are CCTV and electronic entry systems in place.

The nursery was inspected by Ofsted on 13/02/2024 and was graded Good across all areas.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Gareth Rider-Smith (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 10

Total Places for Children

  • 71

Age Range

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

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).

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 (161)

9.9

Thornton Lodge Day Nursery has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.924) out of 10, based on 21 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Thornton Lodge Day Nursery has 161 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Review from Gail R (Mother of Child) published on 12 May 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent care. All friendly staff.
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Review from Victoria Q (Mother of Child) published on 12 May 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter really enjoys coming to nursery she has learnt so much as has become more confident. She constantly speaks about nursery staff and the friends she has gained. I find all the staff are always motivated and focused on the children and are very helpful and understanding towards "home life"
situation. I would highly recommend this nursery to other parents and my other child will be attending.
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Review from Claire A (Mother of Child) published on 12 May 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic nursery, all 3 of my children have attended. Recommend to all my friends. Lovely staff, very professional. Lots of space for the children to engage with each other. Child supported when needed. All 3 of my children have loved been apart of a great nursery.
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Review from Michelle G (Mother of Child) published on 12 May 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am happy with the service that Thornton Lodge Day Nursery provides, I believe they offer and provide the best service. There facilities and outdoor area's for the children are well kept, maintained and clean. They serve the children a variety of different meals and snacks.
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Review from Billie-Jo W (Mother of Child) published on 12 May 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son loves nursery and enjoys every day he is at nursery. Staff are excellent.
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Review from C E (Father of Child) published on 12 May 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic staff, very friendly. Great location and facilities. Children came on leaps and bounds whilst at Thornton Lodge Day Nursery 10/10.
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Review from R L (Mother of Child) published on 12 May 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing nursery, my daughter has done very well.
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Review from Rebecca H (Mother of Child) published on 12 May 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff are very friendly and helpful. The nursery has been very flexible and accommodating. My child has loved coming here.
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Review from Naseem H (Mother of Child) published on 29 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have a 3 year old daughter who attends this nursery and she has settled in really well. She has learnt a lot with her speech, vocabulary and is always exploring new things using her imagination. I am really pleased that she enjoys herself and mixes in well with other children although she can be quiet
at times. I would highly recommend this nursery to other parents as it is outstanding.
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Review from Jesamine W (Mother of Child) published on 21 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The day nursery is flexible and understanding in that they can work on alternative days having my children on a weekly basis. The staff also do a drop off and pick up service from the local school which is extremely helpful for busy parents. I always feel my children are made welcome and safe which
is reassurance, the staff are polite and always appear happy and that's the kind of atmosphere you want your child being brought too.
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Review from Amanda C (Mother of Child) published on 18 January 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at Thornton Lodge for 2 1/2 yrs since she was 5 mths old. She loves going and I have been very impressed with the staff and environment. All staff have a genuine interest in the children and whoever is there at drop off or pick up will always know details of my daughters day at
nursery. There is a wide range of activities and equipment available and my daughter does things she doesn't get to do at home. The manager is always available for questions and is a very 'hands on' manager! Overall I am very impressed and will be keeping my daughter there until she goes to school rather than using school nursery.
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Review from Rachel C (Mother of Child) published on 18 January 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am happy with my children's stay at this nursery, they genuinely enjoy going to nursery and are happy and content when they are left there. Staff need to give more feedback to parents when picking the children up
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Review from Julia L (Mother of Child) published on 15 January 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My 3 year old son attends this nursery and he loves it. The staff are warm, kind and caring and I can go to university knowing my son is getting the best possible care. Not only this, Thornton Lodge have been unbelievably helpful and flexible to fit with our requirements. A brilliant place :-)
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Review from Sarah E (Mother of Child) published on 13 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My experience of Thornton Lodge is very good. The manager is excellent and very hands on and all the staff are friendly and helpful. They offer a good range of activities, for example baking, painting and model making. Trips have included the park and visiting animals. The new nursery offers good sized
rooms, good outdoor play areas and easy access, a double buggy can fit through the door and into the entrance area. I would recommend this nursery without hesitation.
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Review from J M (Mother of Child) published on 23 December 2015 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff are helpful, brill with the children, getting them to try new things. It's always clean, the food is all home made and the children love it.
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Review from Helen H (Mother of Child) published on 22 December 2015 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has a key worker assigned to her which was done on the first day so i know who to go to if I need anything. I know she has someone who knows her well as its a large nursery. Every week she brings home a book to read. She also has a journal of what she's been doing every day which I also
write in and we both use it to get to know my daughter's likes and dislikes. Her key worker is lovely and my daughter has a good relationship with her. When she doesn't want me to go she gives her a cuddle. Its lovely. She's learnt new songs and her name and has improved her counting. It's a lovely nursery and I would recommend it to anyone.
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Review from Lyndsey G (Mother of Child) published on 21 December 2015 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have seen a big improvement in the development of daughter, I can go to work knowing I don't have to worry about my child as she is safe and secure at Thornton Lodge. The staff are approachable and friendly and I can ask anything, the food is healthy and well balanced and she is happy. The nursery
is clean and tidy.
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Review from Olivia H (Mother of Child) published on 21 December 2015 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I used to be a nursery nurse myself 15 years ago and I always said that I would never let my children go to a nursery that I didn't work at. I then joined the Police!! When I had my little boy he needed to go to nursery due to our shifts. I looked at Thornton Lodge and fell in love with it! The manager
is absolutely fantastic, my son a 4 months old loved him and that bond came so naturally to both of them. He is great, very caring and knowledgeable, nothing is too much trouble. Doing the job that we do we see a lot of things as you can imagine, my child would go nowhere other than Thornton Lodge. I know he is looked after, safe and cared for!
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Review from Katie K (Mother of Child) published on 17 December 2015 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Thornton Lodge has provided excellent childcare for my 3 year old son. The staff are friendly, helpful and informative. They are excellent with the children, caring, kind and friendly. I am really happy with all aspects of the provision and very grateful for the care and support they have provided.
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Review from Sharon (Mother of Child) published on 16 December 2015 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is my one and only experience/dealing with a nursery following recommendation I chose Thornton Lodge. I was worried about leaving my youngest in a nursery as she has never been apart from me. My worries were promptly forgotten she has developed immensely since going to nursery, thoroughly loves
going and is bored to death when she spends the day with me! A very good cosy, caring nursery, all staff lovely in every way and the manager is highly professional and extremely hard working.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.924)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.924) out of 10 for Thornton Lodge Day Nursery 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 21 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 21 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 4.924 for Thornton Lodge Day Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (231 Excellents x 5) + (17 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 249 Ratings = 4.924
  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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Thornton Lodge Day Nursery is based on 21 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 71 number of registered child places is 14.2, which has been reached with 21 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  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

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

Meet the Team (8)

Gareth

Gareth Rider-Smith

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2010

Qualifications:


Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies 2012

QA Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid 2021

Lead Practitioner Safeguarding Training 2023


Additional Roles:


SENCO


Safeguarding Lead Practitioner


Named First Aider


Health and Safety Officer

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Kaslum Arian

Job Title: Deputy Nursery Manager Joined: 2025

Qualifications


- NCFE Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People Services
- Diploma in Nursery Nursing (NNEB)
- MCR Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid - April 2022
- Food Hygiene Level 2
- Designated Safeguarding Lead Practitioner


Additional Training


- Safeguarding Children
- Understanding Babies
- Blossoming Babies
- Attachment
- Safer sleeping


Additional Information


Baby Room Leader

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Nafeesa Hussain

Job Title: Room Leader Joined: 2023

Qualifications


NCFE Level 3 Cache Diploma for Early Years Workforce ( Early Educator)
ICT Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid - April 2022
Food Hygiene Level 2


Additional Training
ICT Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid - April 2022
Food Hygiene Level 2
Safeguarding Children


Additional Information
Room Leader 3-5 Room

Jesicca

Jesicca Osins

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2020

Qualifications
NVQ Level 3 in Children's Learning and Development
QA Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid


Additional Training
Safeguarding Children


Additional Information
Baby Room Practitioner

Sarah

Sarah Brooks

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2017

Qualifications


Cache Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education 2009


Additional Roles


Baby Room Practitioner

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Layla Cordingley

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2023

Qualifications


NCFE Cache Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator)


Additional Training
Safeguarding Children Level 2
Food Hygiene Level 2

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Debra Theaker

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2018

Qualifications


NVA Level 3 Nursery Nursing
Cache Level 3 Diploma in Home Based Childcare


Additional Roles


Toddler Room Practitioner

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Saffiya Patel

Job Title: Apprentice Joined: 2025

Qualifications


- Working towards Level 3
- Food Hygiene Level 2


Additional Training


- Food Hygiene Level 2
- Safeguarding Children


Additional Information


Pre-School Practitioner

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Thornton Lodge Day Nursery to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Thornton Lodge Day Nursery has an Enhanced Service - more info.