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 N M (Father of Child) published on 24 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
What a wonderful nursery. Our daughter has just started here and has settled in well thanks to the wonderful staff. Already she is becoming more confident and developing her social skills and speech.
The children have a lovely home cooked meal every day with fantastic snacks available too. The outdoor
area and resources are wonderful and it is great to see the children playing outside.
The staff are professional and a friendly atmosphere at all times and so welcoming. Great nursery, would recommend to anyone.
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Review from Samantha P (Mother of Child) published on 23 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has only just started in the Bumblebees room but each and every member of staff has gone out of their way to get to know her and make her settling in easier.
Everything at this nursery is geared towards making things easy for parents as well, which is a huge bonus. Having used other nurseries
for my 2 older children I have discovered over the years that it is the little things like having healthy meals prepared for them and providing cups and wipes etc... that helps make this nursery stand out.


I also think the grounds they have are pretty special, the safe outdoor space the children have to explore is just wonderful.
All in all, I would highly recommend this nursery to anyone. We live in Perth and chose to bring our daughter to nursery here near where I work as we felt it offered much better care and value for money than those closer to home.

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Review from E A (Mother of Child) published on 23 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter loves attending Arnhall and is happy and confident there. She participates in a wide range of activities and particularly enjoys the forest walks and craft activities. They offer a great selection of home cooked food which she enjoys. I cannot rate the staff in her room highly enough she
has formed good relationships with them all and also has a lovely group of friends.
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Review from Kaye C (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Arnhall is a great nursery that I have used for around 6.5 years with two children attending. The staff are all very approachable and the outside space is fantastic. The access to woodland is a great feature of this nursery. The fact that there is a cook that provides all the snacks and lunch for children
is also great.
Not only does this make life easier for the parent/carer but it means all the children are encouraged to eat food they maybe haven't tried because their peers are eating it.
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Review from Shona H (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Arnhall has been fantastic for my little girl. She's been going for 5 months and all the staff were great throughout the settling in period. They have made a real effort in getting to know my daughter. She has a great relationship with her key worker as well as other staff in the room.
The resources
and playroom inside are excellent as well as an amazing garden and outside forest space. She loves the nursery and she's come on leaps and bounds with her development since starting.
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Review from Sarah D (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Lovely friendly, attentive staff who provide lots of varying activities for the children. Excellent outdoor facilities and the children go outside daily. All meals are freshly cooked. Brilliant online e-journals which keep parents updated on how their children are progressing.
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Review from Sarah R (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Arnhall Day Nursery (Dunblane) is beautiful set within forestry and fields where the children have access to a variety of outdoor learning experiences through forest walks and adventures, as well as a very spacious garden where they have access to a variety of large equipment and toys to use. This is
an aspect of learning I feel very strongly about as my child loves the outdoors and even at a young age they encourage sensory play and physical exercise which is very important.
The level of care and the safe environment provided by the staff within the nursery is fantastic, I feel confident in leaving my child here every day as I know she enjoyed her experiences and opportunities, I love that I can see this through the use of the online journals, which are updated weekly by the staff which care for her.
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Review from Simon K (Father of Child) published on 22 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has come on so much since joining, we love hearing her reviews of each day's adventures. Always amazed at the patience of the nursery teachers and the individual attention they manage to give each child. We consider ourselves to be so lucky that we managed to find our daughter a place at
Arnhall.
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Review from Erica B (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Everything at Arnhall is perfect and I wouldn't send my daughter anywhere else. It was the first choice for us and have never been disappointed with any aspect of the service or care we have received.
The facilities, staff and education is of the highest standards, along with meals as well.
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Review from Veronica D (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We love the nursery. My little one has been there from 9 months old.
We were both helped with settling in and the ladies are very helpful and friendly. The outdoor space they have is well designed and the food they provide the children is varied and also very good.
Would recommend to anyone.
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Review from Janine M (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son loves attending Arnhall nursery. I feel that the standards are set high. The staff are very friendly and helpful. My son is always participating in fun and creative activities and playing outdoors while attending nursery.
I would recommend Arnhall to any one of my friends who have young children.
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Review from Helen C (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Arnhall is a fantastic nursery. The staff are so friendly and welcoming. My son loves going to nursery and loves all the cuddles he gets! I'm so pleased he gets to go outside so much, every day they are out for forest walks or playing in the garden. The staff work so hard to provide a variety of activities
for the children, just last week the firemen came for a visit and the children got to sit in the fire engine.
The food provided is also fantastic and varied, all home cooked too.
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Review from Gillian V (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My two and a half-year-old daughter has been at Arnhall since she was ten months old and she is so happy there. The staff are friendly and caring, they provide a wide variety of activities that are stimulating and fun, they get out in the fresh air and do plenty of exercise.
They provide a healthy
and tasty meal and snacks. Children are moved through the rooms at their own pace meaning that each individual is provided with an experience appropriate to their stage of development and personality. I feel that Arnhall has been key in driving my daughter's development and social skills. I love knowing that this is happening in a safe environment in which her emotional needs are also met.
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Review from Ben S (Father of Child) published on 21 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have two children at Arnhall. They have been looked after very well from day one. Our boys have several food allergies and the staff have been extremely helpful in preparing and suggesting food for them to eat. The range of activities and learning that goes on is amazing. We are always surprised
at how many new things they come home telling us about and the things they have been studying.
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Review from Ben T (Father of Child) published on 21 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Have always found Arnhall Nursery to be a great fun learning environment for our son. The people at the nursery are always very helpful and friendly at all times. The main thing for me is that he always enjoys his days there and comes back having done something we wouldn't generally do at home, such
as playing with sand or arts and crafts.
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Review from K C (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending Arnhall for 4 months. He settled in very quickly and has a great time at nursery.
His huge smiles at both the start and end of the day show what a good time he is having.
The staff have been so helpful and really get to know the children.
They do a fantastic variety of imaginative
activities. It's a lively setting and I love that they are out for walks enjoying the outdoors regularly.
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Review from H C (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery is just fab, this is my second child attending. The girls are all extremely caring and give plenty of cuddles to the children when needed. They have a wide range of activities and loads of time is spent outdoors in the lovely surroundings. My son loves it here.
The food is all lovely
and cooked on site too which is a big bonus.
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Review from Lorna H (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending Arnhall for 3 years now and I have only experienced quality care and superb facilities.
The outdoor facilities are great and the children are taken outdoors daily for playing/walks and forest school trips.
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Review from Erica G (Mother of Child) published on 21 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter is thriving at this nursery and the staff have gone out of their way to do everything they can to help her to settle and develop. There is excellent communication daily between staff and parents.
The facilities and outdoor space are brilliant, my daughter loves playing in the woods on
the doorstep of the nursery and we feel that she is very well looked after by staff, who really care about all of the children at the nursery. I would recommend this nursery to anyone.
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Review from Jane (Mother of Child) published on 6 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Brilliant nursery! My child loves the staff, activities and environment. He looks forward to attending. Lovely mix of indoor and outdoor play and due to careful day management he's never exhausted, even if he has a long day. Beautiful food as well!!!
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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.