Dunblane Nature Kindergarten

Ramoyle, Dunblane FK15 0BD
Review Us
Top 20 award
9.9 79 Reviews
  • Dunblane Nature Kindergarten, Dunblane
Delighted to have been awarded NMT Nursery Group Award 2018.

Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is situated in the beautiful town of Dunblane, with its calm and peaceful community. There are easy links to the motorway network, excellent parking for safe and easy drop off and collection and they are just a short walk to the local train station. The nursery is very much a part of the local community making links with Dunblane, Newton and St. Mary Primary Schools, Dunblane High and Queen Victoria High and providing both nursery and out of school care services.

Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is based across two buildings, a large two storey sandstone villa and a new build single storey property each with direct access to the outdoor play areas. Each building is divided into specially designed play rooms, beautifully furnished and equipped with a plentiful range of quality resources. They have three secure individual fun gardens for each stage of a child’s development to improve the educational experience they provide, giving the opportunity to explore and investigate a wide range of materials and enjoy physical play in a safe and fun environment.

The two buildings are surrounded by a highly engaging and challenging garden area. The garden design was created through consultation with children, parents and staff to encompass a community project and a sense of place for all to enjoy. When parents come to visit, they will find a haven for children to have fun whilst learning. The under footing will compromise of a mixture of turf, wood chip and stone, the various materials chosen to promote the development of child core stability, which in turn develops the balance from within the inner ear. These materials were also chosen for children to work with as a loose part, enhancing the children’s learning experiences as they pick and choose what materials to work with.
Show Dunblane Nature Kindergarten on the Map

Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Linda Boon (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 14

Total Places for Children

  • 62

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Contact us to learn more about our competitive fee structure. Funded spaces available.

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

  • Christmas & New Year

Parking

  • The nursery has its very own car park at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten, which you are more than welcome to use when visiting us. Ideal for drop offs and pick ups for you and your family too!

Dunblane Nature Kindergarten Reviews (79)

9.9

Dunblane Nature Kindergarten has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.924) out of 10, based on 33 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Dunblane Nature Kindergarten has 79 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 71
  • 6
  • 1
  • 1
  • 0
Date Published
  • 79
  • 0
  • 14
  • 33
  • 46
Reviewer Connection to Dunblane Nature Kindergarten
  • 68
  • 10
  • 1
Total of 79, showing 61-79
Review from Sally G (Mother of Child) published on 10 April 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
Not as outdoorsy as it used to be and doesn’t seem as structured. I feel perhaps it has been lacking leadership in the last few years.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Yvonne (Mother of Child) published on 9 April 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Friendly, caring, smiling staff who take great care in ensuring each child is a valued part of the nursery family.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Veronica D (Mother of Child) published on 7 December 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My three year old has been attending for 1.5 years now and has positively flourished as a direct result. Her speech, cognition, reasoning are excellent - all fantastic foundational skills. The staff are very caring, skilled, loving and are all absolutely excellent.
My older child also goes to after
school and she loves it just as much as her little sister. I honestly cannot praise the staff enough - best nursery in Scotland as far as I am concerned!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Kevin D (Father of Child) published on 2 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started in April 2016 and has been enjoying his experience. I have also been very happy with the staff.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Susan H (Mother of Child) published on 2 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son attends 'Dunblane Nature Kindergarten' twice a week. He arrives happy, but is literally jumping with happiness when I collect him. He is always very excited to tell me about his day. He loves being outside anyway, so 'Dunblane Nature Kindergarten' is perfect for him. He gets out pretty much
when he wants, is free to explore and play in the spacious outside space. Staff also take the children on local walks regularly, which he loves. He seems to pick up lots of information at nursery, which I suspect comes from the child led approach e.g. he was telling me about fossils recently. He likes the staff and I am very happy to leave him to their care. They are warm, welcoming and very interested in the children and their care.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Kirsty M (Mother of Child) published on 1 August 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have used Dunblane Nature Kindergarten and the after school club for over 4 years and been very happy with the nursery and staff, and will recommend to friends. Our children are happy here and we enjoy the amount of outside time they have and variety of outside play.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Lisa S (Mother of Child) published on 25 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our 5 year old son has been at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten for 2 years. We travel out of our way to this nursery due to wanting him to have as much time outdoors as possible. The ethos of Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is excellent. It is child-led and they maximise the use of the outdoor space. We particularly
value the staffs positives attitude to risky play and feel this is so important for children's development. We are so happy with his experience at Dunblane Nature Kindergarten and the lovely home made food is an added bonus.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Ewan M (Father of Child) published on 20 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
An excellent, fun and quirky nursery which offers a good range of outdoor activities and nature based learning. They were excellent at settling in our son and continue to offer him great care.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from andrew (Father of Child) published on 7 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have our daughter at DNK and our son attended previously before starting school. It's a terrific environment in which to learn, particularly with the outdoor focus and child lead format of learning. We would thoroughly recommend it.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from DK (Mother of Child) published on 6 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The impact the manager and his team have had on the nursery over the last few years has been brilliant overhauling the environment and focusing on nature based play. My youngest loves it there and regularly goes out into the surrounding community and open spaces to explore with staff and peers. She
has developed strong bonds with her key staff who provide care based on knowing her and her personality really well. Great management with motivated staff. They also go beyond expectations to put on parent /children open evenings/events - such as the Xmas party and campfire night.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Samantha M (Mother of Child) published on 6 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Staff are fantastic and I really felt like they did everything they could to settle my son into the nursery. My son loves to be outside and I love that he is able to get out in all weathers and out on walks. I would definitely recommend to anyone else with young children.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Colette M (Mother of Child) published on 6 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is a very happy and well run nursery. Great staff. Wonderfully creative ideas for entertaining the children. The children have almost all been outside, at least to the garden if not to park or beyond.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Kerry (Mother of Child) published on 6 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery has a great range of activities for the youngsters to partake in and don't allow age to be a barrier. The fact they will do outside activities regardless of the weather is fantastic as it's good to get the children out in the fresh air (suitable clothing is provided).
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Fiona E (Mother of Child) published on 5 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Yes I would definitely recommend the nursery our kids, thoroughly enjoy the outdoor aspect and learning about nature ... whatever the weather.


The nursery has a great location and has lots of facilities nearby.

  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Helen (Mother of Child) published on 1 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son absolutely loves attending Kindergarten, he's always excited on the mornings he goes in. I feel he has come on leaps and bounds since starting. His confidence has improved and his communication skills are incredible. When I pick him up the staff are always very informative, I get a breakdown
of his day. If I have mentioned that we have been working on something at home, the staff take the time to work on it with him also. I get a happy, tired boy back at the end of an adventurous day, I couldn't ask for more.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Jane M (Mother of Child) published on 30 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is a great environment for kids to learn through play, exploration and group sessions. Our child has attended since the baby room and is now in her pre-school year. The staff are lovely and very helpful at drop offs when children can be a little clingy. They will reassure
them and help them find an activity or friend to play with . Also at the end of the day, it is lovely to get a brief summary of what the kids have been doing that day.


The outdoor ethos of the nursery is great and the children are encouraged to play out in all weathers if they wish. The nursery has excellent outdoor areas with pirate castle, outdoor classroom, hideaway, secret gardens and with the Allan water and Leighhills Park being a short stroll, it is great that the nursery make the most of the available local environment. I am happy that my child comes home happy and has had plenty of fresh air fun.

  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from J S (Mother of Child) published on 27 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Facilities are excellent. Staff are friendly. Staff are supportive. The nursery is relaxed. You get the impression that nothing is a problem. The food is varied. Staff always know what your child has eaten. How much. How much sleep they have had. Activities are often spontaneous, around what the child
wants to do. I just love this place.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Morven L (Mother of Child) published on 27 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been at DNK for a year and we are very happy with the standards there.
He is always happy to go and the welcome from the lovely staff is heartwarming.
All the children seem happy at the nursery, which I think speaks volumes about the care they receive.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Jackie (Mother of Child) published on 27 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has some developmental needs and the staff involved with him have acted with intelligence and pragmatism and have really helped to bring on his confidence and his development.


Conversations about him and his needs are conducted with empathy and compassion, you also know that staff are

pushing him to be the best he can be.


As a parent with a wee person who is struggling developmentally I would not hesitate to recommend this nursery and its staff, their person centred approach means that his needs on any given day are catered for and that short medium and long term goals for his development are considered and implemented.


It is a very comfortable experience for us as parents and for my son who is thriving.

  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.924)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.924) out of 10 for Dunblane Nature Kindergarten 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 33 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 33 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 Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is calculated as follows: ( (365 Excellents x 5) + (30 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 395 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 Dunblane Nature Kindergarten is based on 33 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 62 number of registered child places is 12.4, which has been reached with 33 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.

Loading

Loading Loading

Loading

Loading

Awards / Recognitions (6)

Meet the Team (1)

Linda

Linda Boon

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2013

With a professional qualification in childcare many years of experience working with children of all ages Linda manages her nursery and staff team to ensure we provide a secure family environment where you can feel relaxed and confident in the knowledge that your child is being cared for by dedicated staff in a safe environment.

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