Bright Horizons First Class Day Nursery and Preschool

Cunningham Building, Macaulay Drive, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QW
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10 85 Reviews
  • Bright Horizons First Class Day Nursery and Preschool, Aberdeen
Discover, play, and grow at a nursery in rural Airyhall near Aberdeen.

Bright Horizons First Class Day Nursery and Preschool, located in a very quiet area of Airyhall, has been carefully designed to support your child’s education and development, from 3 months to 5 years.

The nursery in Airyhall, Craigiebuckler is conveniently located with excellent transport links to the Aberdeen city centre. It has its own car park and is within walking distance of Airyhall Primary School.

The nursery offers a warm, welcoming environment supporting the transition from home to nursery, and excellent nutritionally-balanced menus using fresh ingredients prepared by the chef. The nursery is located in the grounds of The James Hutton Institute, which is surrounded by woodlands for children to explore.

With access to three separate gardens, your child will have daily access to their very own secret garden, duck pond and vegetable plot. The team loves encouraging children to explore all of their favourite extracurricular activities and this abundance of outdoor space gives them room to learn, play and develop their love of the outdoors.

In addition, they practise a Growing Enhancement programme unique to Bright Horizons, further giving your child the inspiration and confidence to explore subjects such as mathematics, art, reading and writing well ahead of their journey into school.

The experienced team would love to meet you and your family. Book a visit today and they will show you everything the nursery has to offer during your own personal tour.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Caroline (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 25

Total Places for Children

  • 108

Age Range

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

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 Day, Boxing Day, 1st & 2nd January

Bright Horizons First Class Day Nursery and Preschool Reviews (85)

10

Bright Horizons First Class Day Nursery and Preschool has a Review Score of 10 (9.974) out of 10, based on 41 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Bright Horizons First Class Day Nursery and Preschool has 85 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Total of 85, showing 41-60
Review from Martin B (Father of Child) published on 27 March 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent. My child is very happy here.
Reply from Amanda Barlow, Campaigns & Digital Marketing Executive at Bright Horizons First Class Day Nursery and Preschool
Thank you for your five-star feedback and for sharing your experience with us.
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Review from Jessica W (Mother of Child) published on 25 November 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The level of care and attention is second to none. So far, my son's gone from being upset at going in, to walking in happily in about five weeks. He is starting to sit at the table for food and play. Whenever I call for an update, there is always a welcoming and reassuring voice on the end of the phone
and the same at drop off/pick up. The app isn't updated often, but I would imagine this is because the staff are giving 100% to our little ones in real life, which is most important to us.
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Review from J T (Mother of Child) published on 28 October 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started at First Class in September 2022. The staff were extremely welcoming and reassuring when settling my son in. He has no issues on drop-off and has settled in great. I love seeing his updates on the app and hearing about his day on pick-up.
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Review from Patricia E (Mother of Child) published on 28 October 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son moved here from another nursery and since August, his progression in learning, well-being and speech is surreal. For myself, as a single, separated mum, the help through staff over the phone, in regard to his placement, has been so helpful and with daily communication from all staff, is of a
higher level than his first year of nursery.
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Review from Aimee M (Mother of Child) published on 28 October 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have had the best experience since our son's start at nursery. His confidence and development have come on leaps and bounds. The staff are all caring, professional and keep you very well informed on all progress. The food and resources are the best and we always leave with a happy smile.
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Review from P C (Father of Child) published on 17 March 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The outside space is fantastic. Safety superheroes and teaching in the preschool room is brilliant. The care across all three rooms is very good. The staff communication is good and the children are happy. The response to covid and application of rules around children's temperatures has been cautious.
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Review from Jenna M (Mother of Child) published on 16 March 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Great nursery. The staff are also great and have helped my son come along so well with his speech. I can't fault anything.
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Review from Sian M (Mother of Child) published on 28 May 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very impressed with the new menu that has been released. I feel it challenges my son more and more. He continues to enjoy nursery a lot, and his speech has come on very quickly, which I believed to be down to the time he sends, the nursery and around other children. In particular, he is increasingly
familiar with nursery rhymes and singing. He has regressed a little at drop oos and gets quite upset at the moment, but the staff have been very encouraging with him.
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Review from Laura C (Mother of Child) published on 20 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I was very nervous about my daughter starting nursery, having been born just before lockdown and seeing almost no one for a year! The staff in the baby room at First Class have been amazing - within a few weeks she was walking into nursery herself with a smile on her face! It was such a relief. The
staff listened to my concerns and kept me updated as to how she was getting on. Couldn’t have asked for more from them.
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Review from H Z (Father of Child) published on 8 January 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am very happy that my son loves his nursery and his teachers. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Many thanks.
English is not my son's first language and I can see that over the past two months (although it was just 3 half days a week) he has made big progress in understanding English.
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Review from J C (Mother of Child) published on 17 December 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I always feel comfortable leaving my daughter.
The staff are patient and lovely.
Safety in place is also excellent.
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Review from Sampada S (Mother of Child) published on 15 December 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am extremely happy with the nursery. Makes me happy to see my child enjoying going to the nursery. The staff are very good, and my child comes back with a happy mood. The services provided overall are of excellent standard too.
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Review from M R (Mother of Child) published on 14 December 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff have taken time to help my son settle in well and are working hard on his development. My son has lots of fun every day and can't wait to get to nursery in the morning.
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Review from C M (Mother of Child) published on 14 December 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My daughter loves going to First Class. The staff are friendly and enthusiastic and the children learn about different topics each week. They have a nice outdoor play area and also a secret garden. My daughter loves the food, the menu offers a good variety.
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Review from N B (Mother of Child) published on 7 December 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have had two children at this nursery and can't recommend it enough. My kids love it. the staff are caring and friendly, always helpful. They learn heaps, in fact, I think my daughter learned more there than she currently is in school. The food choice and standard also is great, he often can't manage
tea as he is so well fed.
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Review from Rohit H (Father of Child) published on 3 March 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 2.0 out of 5
Irresponsible manager and staff who are more bothered about themselves and nursery things rather than children. Pretend to be extra nice when parents come. The manager doesn’t want to listen to anything against her staff. She is very rude. Child’s interest in going to nursery itself shows how he/she
is treated. My child wasn’t at all excited to go to nursery. He has fallen ill many times because of the carelessness of staff. They won’t even bother if children are wearing proper clothes when outside and if caught at any point will end up saying sorry! Any complaints to staff or manager results in saying “we have other children as well to look after so can’t take care of just one” which is very unacceptable. They are just not able to manage and find excuses.
Reply from Joel L at Bright Horizons First Class Day Nursery and Preschool
Thank you for your feedback, we are very sorry to hear you are unhappy with your experience. All of your feedback has been passed on to the senior management team. If you would like to discuss your…read more
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Review from Julie B (Mother of Child) published on 18 December 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The staff at First Class Nursery are so friendly, helpful and such lovely people, both with the children and parents. We couldn't be happier with this Nursery. My daughter can't speak English yet, we are from Norway, but they have managed to make her want to be at the nursery and play with the children
and staff.
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Review from Loraine F (Mother of Child) published on 7 August 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son is about to leave to start school and has been at the nursery for 4 years. It's thanks to the care and learning received at the nursery that he is absolutely ready for school. What makes your nursery outstanding is the approach to teaching which is psychology-based and gives the children confidence
and opportunity to flourish; this is what we have seen with our son.


I'm very impressed with the range of activities that he has been exposed to, including plenty of time for imaginative play whilst at the same time learning numbers, letters etc. The initiative to ask daily questions is fantastic and it's been a learning experience for both him and us. I think all the staff are friendly and strive to create a learning and fun environment for the children. The nursery management is also very attentive and I think it's great that they know each child and parent very well.

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Review from C S (Mother of Child) published on 16 July 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is an excellent nursery which my daughter loves attending. The staff are amazing and so helpful. They are very focused on the child's development and she has learnt so much.
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Review from Yvonne M (Mother of Child) published on 16 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Visited for an open day. Lovely play environment with lots of diverse toys for babies and children. Staff extremely kind, knowledgeable and reassuring. Nice to see staff interacting with children in such a caring and gentle way. Not looking forward to returning to work but feel reassured that the nursery
will support both of us through the process.
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.974)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.974) out of 10 for Bright Horizons First Class Day Nursery and Preschool 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 41 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 41 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 4.974 for Bright Horizons First Class Day Nursery and Preschool is calculated as follows: ( (479 Excellents x 5) + (13 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 492 Ratings = 4.974
  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 Bright Horizons First Class Day Nursery and Preschool is based on 41 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 108 number of registered child places is 21.6, which has been reached with 41 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 (4)

Meet the Team (3)

Caroline

Caroline

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Caroline has been the nursery manager since 2020, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for early childhood education to her role. She completed her Professional Development Award in Childhood Practice Level 9, reflecting her commitment to excellence in the field.


As a dedicated mother of two, Caroline’s life outside of work is vibrant and dynamic, often filled with the joys and challenges of family life. Her enthusiasm for mentoring, coaching, and developing a team is evident in her approach to leadership. She thrives on fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, where both staff and children can flourish.


Caroline eagerly anticipates the opportunity to work with the exceptional First Class staff and is excited to contribute her expertise and passion for nurturing growth and development. Her dedication to creating an enriching and stimulating environment ensures that the nursery remains a place where both children and staff thrive.

Amber

Amber

Job Title: Deputy Nursery Manager

Amber has worked in the childcare sector for over eight years. She has taken on various roles, and she is currently the Deputy Manager at First Class Nursery. Having earned her SVQ qualification she is now working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Practice.


Passionate about promoting inclusivity and ensuring every child feels a sense of belonging, she loves supporting the team in creating welcoming and stimulating environments. Filled with loose parts and natural, authentic play materials that encourage children’s curiosity and exploration.


In her spare time, Amber enjoys spending time with her family.

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Kim

Job Title: Curriculum Lead

Kim has over 15 years of commitment to the childcare sector. Experienced in various roles, including Room Leader and Nursery Manager. She completed the PDA Level 9 in Childhood Practice qualification and works alongside her team to provide meaningful experiences, promote a culture of learning among colleagues, and enhance the service.


With a passion for creating stimulating and inviting environments to support the children’s learning and interests, she enables them to reach their full potential.

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