Happitots Nursery Cove Bay

Cove Road, Cove Bay, Aberdeen AB12 3NX
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9.2 39 Reviews
  • Happitots Nursery Cove Bay, Aberdeen
Happitots Nursery Cove Bay is based in a former residential property and provides a stimulating atmosphere for children from birth to five years of age.

The property is open from 7.30am - 6pm and has easy access and good parking for local parents.

The nursery offers three spacious, age-appropriate playrooms designed to inspire the children's imagination and creativity, as they are supported to grow and learn with confidence.

At Happitots Nursery Cove Bay, children are provided with breakfast, lunches and an afternoon snack which are all prepared daily by the on-site nursery chef.

The nursery works in partnership with the government to offer free funded places and also offer sibling and emergency services staff discounts.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Alison Stephen (Nursery Manager (Maternity cover))

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 25

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 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00

When Closed

  • Christmas & New Year

Parking

  • Plenty of on street parking available around the nursery making drop offs and pick ups easy for your family.

Happitots Nursery Cove Bay Reviews (39)

9.2

Happitots Nursery Cove Bay has a Review Score of 9.2 (9.182) out of 10, based on 7 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Happitots Nursery Cove Bay has 39 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Total of 39, showing 21-39
Review from Cathy (Mother of Child) published on 27 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Great nursery - my son is very happy here and has formed positive bonds with the staff in his room. Staff are fantastic; very friendly and approachable whilst still professional and the manager is always very helpful, ensuring she engages with parents regularly and keeps us updated.


Activities are

planned and varied and have helped my son develop lots of new skills. Online learning journals are used so you can see what they've been learning.


Food is cooked on site and is healthy and varied.


I like that the nursery itself is reasonably small (compared to others I visited) and has a lovely 'homely' atmosphere. A lot of improvements have also been made to the indoor space recently.


Fees are expensive but no more so than any other nursery in the local area and I feel that we definitely get our money's worth.

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Review from EseorheI (Mother of Child) published on 7 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My son has grown in leaps since he started at the nursery. His eating has greatly improved. Great atmosphere. Confident children!
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Review from Fiona T (Mother of Child) published on 7 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My child always seems happy when he's there. Always has a good bond with the staff. Management have always been very helpful if I ever need them for anything.
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Review from Jessica N (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Our child is very happy here and we have noticed a big difference in his social skills since he has started nursery. The staff are lovely and make our child feel very welcome. We were worried about him settling in but it took no time at all.
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Review from Jane (Mother of Child) published on 15 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My son has been attending the nursery since 10 months old he is now 3. Very happy with his nursery, he loves attending and is always excited to get there. Would definitely recommend, staff always very friendly and helpful.
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Review from A L (Mother of Child) published on 12 February 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Our precious nursery closed unexpectedly. We had our concerns over how our daughter (3yrs) would transition to the new nursery but the staff made her feel very welcome. We see progress in her learning and enjoy reading about activities and online journals, pictures are a welcome bonus. Great staff.
Facilities are getting improved too.
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Review from Alison I (Mother of Child) published on 2 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending Cove Bay Kindergarten for approximately 13 months and we are extremely happy with the care and service that the nursery provides. I was very anxious leaving him in someone else's care 5 days a week but he settled in extremely well and that is without doubt due to the team that
work at the nursery. I have watched my son grow into a very happy, confident and outgoing individual who is genuinely delighted to be dropped off every morning. The food that is provided is also very good and my son has development healthy eating habits. I have recommended Cove Bay Kindergarten to fellow mums and would not hesitate to do so again.
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Review from Tracy (Mother of Child) published on 23 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Both my children have/are attending the nursery, although in the past there have been ups and downs with regards staff retention, I can honestly say that both children have had good care, great range of activities and have progressed so well.
I am really happy with the care the nursery provides and
variation of activities both inside and outside, the kids experience lots of different settings.
With regards to food, the cook provides healthy, nutritious foods and great variety.
Since the nursery has come under new management (2yrs now) the nursery has come on in leaps and bounds, staff retention is no longer an issue and is such a happy place with very pleasant staff who have close bonds with a number of children.
Progression is still to be made with regards to outside areas, however, once nicer weather comes round I have no doubt this will be improved.
Well done to all. xxx
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Review from J D (Mother of Child) published on 23 October 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child really enjoys attending Cove Bay and has developed so much in the time she has been there. She learned a lot, gets to experience a wide range of activities and is comfortable with all the staff. The nursery is not too big and my child and I are now familiar with most of the staff - who are
very approachable and caring. The facilities have improved greatly over the last twelve months, with the manager and her team really putting in a lot of hard work. The food my child is given is varied and has assisted us in getting them to eat a much wider selection of foods.
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Review from Dawn P (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son attends Sunbeams, and I have been really pleased with the nursery since he started in January. I thought it would take much longer for him to be settled as he only attends one day a week, but he seems to have settled well which is down to the fab staff in his room.
Also very happy with the
food provided, he has food allergies which means he can't always have what the other children are having but the nursery are very accommodating of this.
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Review from Danielle S (Mother of Child) published on 28 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am very pleased with all the girls at this nursery.


I was so nervous about putting my daughter into nursery and she used to cry and get very upset but they all made it easier for me and helped make my daughter enjoy her time at nursery.


Since moving up to the moonbeams room she is so much more

independent and loving it which makes it so much easier.


They do lots of messy play and crafts which are great and my daughter just loves it and they take them for walks to the harbour and take them round to the park which is brilliant.


My daughter is given a large selection of food for lunch and also great breakfast and snacks.

I must say the nursery has had a massive turn around since the Manager joined. Well done.

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Review from Sarah (Mother of Child) published on 26 September 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending the nursery for 9 months now and loves it. There is a range of activities that she participates in so I know she isn't bored. She has grown developmentally and loves helping with the other babies.


The food served is homemade and fresh daily so I am happy knowing that

she is eating nutritional and fresh food.


The staff turnover has been quite a bit problematic recently, and some of the kids are crying quite a bit when I go to collect my daughter. There needs to be consistency in staff so that the children feel safe and happy.


The only other thing I think needs improving is the garden, as the outdoor activities are just as important.

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Review from Maureen A (Mother of Child) published on 4 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have used Cove Bay Kindergarten over 6 years. I have seen a number of staff come and go during this period, one constant fact is the professionalism of these staff. Whether a staff was new or old they always showed great enthusiasm in welcoming the child and parent as well as giving feed back on the
child's activities through out the day. It is always sad to see these dedicated members of staff leave.
The kids are kept engaged throughout the day with indoor and outdoor activities (no matter the weather), kids arts and craft works which can be seen displayed, playing in gardens from riding bikes to planting in the nature garden, trips to the local parks around, the local library, local shops and interestingly the cove beach.
I would highly recommend Cove Bay Kindergarten. A little more can done be for the preschoolers like excursions out with the local community and increased level of structured educational activities with the use of ICT and other sources of learning. To enable a smooth integration into primary school.
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Review from Nithya R (Mother of Child) published on 27 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Members of staff are very caring and friendly, giving my child a very comfortable environment to settle into, learn and grow up. Gives peace of mind for parents too! Great outdoor space for kids to get involved in all sorts of activities too.
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Review from Angela M (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The nursery has undergone many staff changes in the past year but since the appointment of the current manager, there have been big improvements in the planned learning and the activities organised and also more consistency of staff. My son enjoys going to nursery particularly the structure and routine
and his behaviour has definitely improved recently due to developing relationships with the staff who are regularly in his room.
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Review from Michelle (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My little one has been at Cove Bay for over 3 years, and it's very clear the staff care about their charges and do their utmost to make their days enjoyable. It's clear they're learning through play and having a great time doing so. There's excellent opportunities for outside experiences on the doorstep
(the harbour, play park and wildlife area in Cove), and the staff make use of the local library as well. The outside play areas linked to the nursery have recently improved, but would still benefit from more investment by the Bertram Nursery Group.
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Review from Lesley Ann N (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
There have been a lot of changes within the nursery recently, it has just been getting better and better. The improvements to the building and garden have made such a big difference, but most of all the staff are what makes this nursery the place I trust to care for my children. The ladies are so dedicated
and they take time to listen and communicate with the parents and most of all they care so much for the children. My boys are happy and content when they are in nursery and I have no issues regarding their safety and well-being when in the care of these ladies. The meals and snacks provided are also fantastic!! (I think a few of us parents are a little jealous at times that we don't get to stay for lunch.) I have seen my boys come on leaps and bounds since starting at the nursery and I would highly recommend Cove bay Kindergarten to anyone looking for childcare. I'd like to thank every member of staff for the care they provide my boys!
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Review from Anna M (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
A fabulous team of people who genuinely care about the children they look after. I just wish they could retain staff better, which is usually because of pay, which I know is out of the team on site's hands.
I really respect and like the manager, and have noticed a positive improvement since she started.
Reply from Isla Henry, Marketing Executive at Happitots Nursery Cove Bay
Thank you so much for your feedback Anna, we really appreciate it!
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Review from Rac (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
The babies room is amazing. The staff, resources and themes are well organised. Both our children loved this room and if it was up to us they would never leave these staff members. The pre school room is a shambles. Our child basically draws all day and this is a really pity that more educating isn't
done in this room.
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Current Review Score: 9.2 (9.182)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.2 (9.182) out of 10 for Happitots Nursery Cove Bay 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 7 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.3 out of 5 from 7 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 4.917 for Happitots Nursery Cove Bay is calculated as follows: ( (77 Excellents x 5) + (7 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 84 Ratings = 4.917
  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 4.265 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Happitots Nursery Cove Bay is based on 7 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 = 3.7
    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. 7 Positive Reviews ÷ 12.4 = 0.565
  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 (5)

Meet the Team (3)

Alison

Alison Stephen

Job Title: Nursery Manager (Maternity cover) Joined: 2025

When my children began their education pathway, I enrolled with Robert Gordon University, where I qualified as an Adult nurse. The change from the health care sector to a private nursery occurred when I realised that my daughter had to travel five miles for child care provision when she enrolled at university. In response, from 2008 to 2022, my child care journey began in my newly opened independent preschool nursery. During this time, I studied at Aberdeen University and gained a BA in Childhood Studies and a post-graduate certificate in Education. Over the last three years, I have shared my day as the manager within a variety of sector areas. These were a local authority, a multinational, and a private school nursery.


Happitots at Cove Bay has welcomed me with open arms, and I feel part of a nurturing environment that puts their children first every time. I need to join a team with like-minded values. Children are at the forefront of all we do, and engaging children in fun-filled learning is at the heart of all I set out to do. I am delighted to be part of the Thrive Childcare and Education nursery group.

Rachel

Rachel Dean

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2025

Rachel and Hana ensure the smooth running of this fabulous nursery.

Hana

Hana Dalgarno

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2017

My name is Hana, I have worked in childcare for 7 years. I started off as a lunchtime assistant and fell in love with childcare! Since then I have gained my level 3 and level 4 qualifications and worked my way up to nursery manager. I love supporting my team to provide the best outcomes for the children within our setting, creating a home away from home feel for children, staff and parents alike.

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