Arnhall Nursery

Gardens Cottages, Keir Estate, Dunblane FK15 9NU
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Top 20 award
10 151 Reviews
  • Arnhall Nursery, Dunblane
Arnhall Nursery is run from a large stone built property with unique features such as a turret. The main building set over 2 floors caters for babies up to 3 years old. They have a separate building in the garden which caters for their 2.5 to 5-year-olds. They also have their own outside class room and log cabin. The nursery has a large and completely enclosed garden and its very own forest schools on its doorstep.

Arnhall Nursery is a private day nursery that delivers high-quality childcare which is created by working with parents to understand the individual needs of each child.

The nursery is set in beautiful surroundings on the Keir Estate, ideally located just off the M9, it has a safe and secure garden where children can play and learn about the outside world.

Children are encouraged to learn through play and nursery staff use fun and engaging activities to boost the children’s confidence.

The children take regular walks on the country estate, forest school sessions and extra-curriculum activities such as Jo Jingles and Enjoy A Ball are on offer.

All meals are included and the nursery offers healthy and nutritional breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, home-cooked by an in-house chef.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Norma McFarlane (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 36

Total Places for Children

  • 107

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Please contact us for a copy of our current fees or for any information on funding.

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30

When Closed

  • Christmas

Arnhall Nursery Reviews (151)

10

Arnhall Nursery has a Review Score of 10 (9.972) out of 10, based on 44 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Arnhall Nursery has 151 reviews.

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Review from Eden D (Mother of Child) published on 12 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I love the nursery's environmental awareness and their belief in outdoor learning.


They're very good at handling my child's allergies and I feel my child is in safe hands. Any issues regarding my child's welfare always seem to be dealt with compassionately and professionally.

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Review from Alexandra M (Mother of Child) published on 12 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Arnhall provides my daughter with a loving safe environment where I know that she is happy to be left. She enjoys her time at the nursery and all of the staff there are outstanding. They treat everyone with care and respect and in my opinion, they provide the best daycare facilities in this area.
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Review from Linda P (Mother of Child) published on 12 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child's experience at Arnhall has been excellent. The staff are all warm and pleasant and put the child first. The learning environment is second to none, in particular, the outside environment. Children have a good balance between structure and FreePlay and parents get an excellent level of feedback
on a daily basis. The food is varied and healthy and encourages the children to try new things.
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Review from Kimberly (Mother of Child) published on 12 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter started at Arnhall in January and both her and I could not be happier with our choice! The key workers made her feel welcomed and relaxed during her transition and she’s now reluctant to leave at the end of the day! I would definitely recommend Arnhall Nursery.
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Review from Joanna G (Mother of Child) published on 12 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has a great time at Arnhall. The staff are very supportive and have helped with potty training and my daughter becoming a big sister. They are very creative and imaginative in the projects they do with the children.
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Review from Andy (Father of Child) published on 29 December 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent nursery with fantastic staff and great facilities and what is important is that the children not only learn whilst they're there but they also enjoy themselves.
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Review from Ashleigh M (Mother of Child) published on 29 November 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Great nursery. I feel I can trust the staff members with the care of my children. They are approachable and supportive of needs.


The nursery enjoys a variety of activities with the children including a focus on the outdoors which is good to see.

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Review from Jillian B (Mother of Child) published on 16 November 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has settled in very well into nursery thanks to the excellent service and care of staff. I feel confident in the care provided. His development has come on great since starting. The facilities are excellent and good value for money.
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Review from Karen B (Mother of Child) published on 13 November 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has thrived at the nursery. She enjoys the Forrest School and outdoor activities. She has made lots of friends. She enjoys the structure of her day and Nursery will give her a good basis for the transition to school.
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Review from Moyra J (Mother of Child) published on 10 November 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending Arnhall Nursery for almost a year and a half. In a nutshell, he loves his time there and we (his mum and dad) love how he is developing under the guidance of the nursery team. I would thoroughly recommend Arnhall as a great nursery for anyone's child to attend.
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Review from Penny W (Mother of Child) published on 10 November 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Arnhall is a wonderful nursery, where my daughter is thriving. The environment of the nursery was what first attracted me as it is set in a country estate, and the children spend a huge amount of time outside enjoying their surroundings, learning about nature, seeing wildlife and breathing in clean,
fresh air. The staff are great, and my daughter adores them. They are great fun and have a real rapport with the children. They know the children well, and tailor the learning to individuals, working on specific areas with each child. My daughter is a bright, confident, happy wee soul, and a lot of that is down to the care and support she gets at Arnhall.
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Review from Nicki F (Mother of Child) published on 9 November 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy has been attending Arnhall since July 2017 and seems very happy here :) The staff were great when he was settling in and really go out of their way to ensure they are happy and content there. They do all sorts of activities and have lots of play outdoors which I think is great. Highly
recommend!
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Review from Anneli E (Mother of Child) published on 25 September 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is a great nursery and our daughter loves it. I always feel confident about her safety and wellbeing. It is in a great location and the staff really make the most of the close access to the surrounding woods, which was an important aspect when we choose it.
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Review from Jayne H (Mother of Child) published on 25 September 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son goes to this nursery and he always has a great time there. They have lots of activities to burn off his toddler energy and the staff are always friendly and welcoming.
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Review from Eleanor S (Mother of Child) published on 25 September 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son absolutely loves attending Arnhall twice a week. The staff are fabulous - very caring and they create fun and varied activities all day. We couldn't ask for better for him.
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Review from Bori (Mother of Child) published on 25 September 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Best nursery with qualified, friendly, and kind staff.
I would recommend this to all parents who are looking for a nursery for their children.
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Review from Nikki M (Mother of Child) published on 25 September 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Arnhall is fantastic, our little girl settled really well and loves her time there. We just moved from the bumblebee room to the ladybirds and the care taken with the transition has been really impressive.
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Review from Judith (Mother of Child) published on 25 September 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Arnhall Nursery provides a great environment for the learning and comfort of children. The children are stimulated with a variety of activities through which they are encouraged to develop their personal skills.
The staff genuinely care, not only about the child, but about the parent's preferences
eg nap duration, and the staff work together with you.
The nursery location is fantastic and allows the opportunity to go for forest walks and explore outdoors.
There are also some pets which is great especially if you don’t have your own at home!
Arnhall Nursery enables me to go to work with confidence, and the knowledge that my child will be in fantastic care.
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Review from James M (Father of Child) published on 3 March 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has settled in extremely well at nursery and loves his time there. He is always very happy/excited to attend and comes home talking about all the things he has done throughout the day. He spends lots of time outside and his interests are taken into account. He has a brilliant relationship with
the staff. I have always been impressed with activities/learning opportunities he has. He eats very well at nursery and enjoys the food on offer. We have never doubted our decision for our son to attend Arnhall Nursery and would recommend the nursery to anyone.
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Review from Victoria L (Mother of Child) published on 28 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Great nursery in a great outdoor setting which the nursery makes most of. Both our children have gone from about 9 months until school. The nursery has been helpful, approachable and supportive at every stage and both our children thrived there.
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.972)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.972) out of 10 for Arnhall Nursery is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 44 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 44 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 4.972 for Arnhall Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (512 Excellents x 5) + (15 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 527 Ratings = 4.972
  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 Arnhall Nursery is based on 44 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 107 number of registered child places is 21.4, which has been reached with 44 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 (40)

Meet the Team (6)

Norma

Norma McFarlane

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2003

Norma started at Arnhall Nursery in 2003 as a Room Supervisor. In July 2011 Norma was promoted to Nursery Manager and since this time has successfully developed into the role. Norma holds her HNC, SVQ4 and a BA in Childhood Practice. Norma is currently working towards her Froebel Practice. In her spare time Norma enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walking her dog and cycling.

Amanda

Amanda MacDonald

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2011

Amanda has worked at Arnhall for over 10 years. She holds her SVQ Level 3 in Early Years Education and Childcare, her PDA8 and is currently working towards her Froebel Practice. Amanda enjoys meeting up with family and friends and also walks with her dog.

Caroline

Caroline O'Neil

Job Title: Bumblebee Room Manager Joined: 2021

Caroline is a Level 9 SCQF Qualified and is the Room Manager of the Bumblebee Room. Caroline joined Arnhall Nursery in 2021. Caroline is also trained in Paediatric first aid enjoys spending time with her two boys and her dog Theo.

Julie

Julie Dick

Job Title: Ladybird Room Manager Joined: 1995

Julie is the Room Manager for the Ladybird Room and has worked at Arnhall for 25 years. She holds her SVQ Level 3 in Early Education and Childcare. In her spare time, Julie enjoys running and going away in her campervan with her partner.

Dawn

Dawn Dickson

Job Title: Grasshopper Room Manager Joined: 2017

Dawn is the Room Manager for the Grasshopper room. She holds her HNC in Early Education and Childcare and has worked at Arnhall since 2017. In her spare time, Dawn enjoys reading, going for walks and spending time with her little girl.

Jayde

Jayde Hallam

Job Title: Dragonfly Room Manager Joined: 2018

Jayde is the Room Manager for the Dragonfly Room and has worked at Arnhall since 2018. She holds her SVQ Level 3 in Early Years Education and Childcare. In her spare time, Jayde enjoys being outdoors, going to the gym and socialising.

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