Little Gems Private Day Nursery

1 Dunlady Road, Dundonald, Belfast BT16 1TT
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9.9 125 Reviews
  • Little Gems Private Day Nursery, Belfast
Little Gems Private Day Nursery offers a loving homely environment for your child, having been part of the community for over 12 years with long established management and staff. Little Gems offers full day care for children aged 3months to 10years old. Each room is equipped with age appropriate resources and has a full programme of activities for a fun and stimulating day. Under 3s enjoy a weekly visit from Jo Jingles for music and dancing while Pre-school enjoy Spanish lessons and Debut Tots as part of the Pre-school curriculum. A large garden offers plenty of opportunity for exploring outside, gardening and outdoor toys. After-school care is available all year with a summer scheme and breakfast club. The nursery collects from Dundonald Primary and Brooklands Primary. Everyday carers strive to meet the individual needs of every child in their care, encouraging learning through play, covering all the areas of learning to develop independent and confident children.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Leah Morrow (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 38

Total Places for Children

  • 103

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Full Week - £314
    Full Day - £75
    Half Day - £52
    Two children – Full time - £531.50
    Afterschool - £35
    Morning & Afterschool - £36.00

  • Fees applicable from April 1st 2025.

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

  • Public Holidays

Little Gems Private Day Nursery Reviews (125)

9.9

Little Gems Private Day Nursery has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.923) out of 10, based on 24 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Little Gems Private Day Nursery has 125 reviews.

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Review from Sophie M (Mother of Child) published on 11 August 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter loves Little Gems and is excited to go to see her friends and all the staff in the toddler room every morning that she's there. Knowing she is happy and safe is so reassuring for us. Her speech and social skills have developed greatly and the variety of food she now eats is wonderful.
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Review from Tanya M (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We couldn’t recommend Little Gems highly enough. Our little boy is in the baby room and the staff made it so easy for us and him to settle in. He is so happy going in every morning and we feel nursery is really helping his development. The staff are all fantastic.
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Review from Amal S (Father of Child) published on 28 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We, never expected to get a place in Little Gems because it was all full but management was able to take my consideration for 5 days placement for my daughter who goes to P1 at another school. I have no worries about breakfast, dinner, pick drop off and pick up of my child because all are taken care
by the lovely staff team.
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Review from Paula G (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter loves going here and her development has improved greatly from attending she has very fussy eating and they have been happy enough to help me out and cater for her which I appreciate, the staff are very helpful and report back everything that has went on within the day
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Review from Claire M (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff at Little Gems are all friendly, kind, thoughtful and professional. My son attends breakfast and after-school club on a Monday. He enjoys going to Little Gems and has made lots of friends. When the staff are not at Little Gems, they always make a point of saying hello to my son and myself.
We cannot thank them enough for this past year with everything, accommodating my son when he broke his leg and keeping in touch to see how he was. We definitely recommend Little Gems and speak highly of them to friends and family.
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Review from C H (Mother of Child) published on 20 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent staff and nursery! My son has been happy to go in everyday and loves playing. His development has come on leaps and bounds since attending little gems day nursery. Fed a wide range of lovely dinners aswell
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Review from Louise G (Mother of Child) published on 20 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Little Gems is brilliant. The facilities are great and the staff are lovely and friendly. It is a well run, safe and fun place. Information from the nursery is always well communicated, especially throughout the pandemic, and staff have had to give up their personal time at the weekends to make sure
parents are aware of nursery closures so we have time to plan ahead. I would highly recommend Little Gems to other parents.
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Review from Ms M (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child has attended Little Gems for over two and a half years and I have never had a bad experience with them. Staff are amazing in every room and create genuine bonds with the children and guardians. My child enjoys going to Little Gems and has made so many new friends, some of them have gone through
the past two and a half years together! They have the children outside playing as much as they can and always have activities planned especially during holiday times.
The managers of Little Gems have been amazing in accommodating us when I’ve required extra childcare, nothing is an obstacle for them. Highly recommend!
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Review from Susan M (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has attended Little Gems for approximately two and a half years.
She loves the nursery - always comes out smiling and happy showing me what she's done and the homework she has done.
I have complete confidence in the staff, always friendly, professional, helpful, and reliable. They are
a godsend and the nursery have always been very flexible to help me out when needed.
Highly recommend.
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Review from Amy W (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending Little Gems for two years.
She loves it and happily runs through the gate in the morning and is always full of chat about her day in the car on the way home.
The staff have always been excellent, friendly approachable and willing to help.
Wouldn't hesitate to recommend
Little Gems to anyone looking for excellent childcare.
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Review from Charlene M (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Little Gems is absolutely amazing, they really are considerate of your circumstances, I would definitely recommend little gems to friends and family.
The only thing I would say they could improve on is when the children are doing homework. It’s not a quiet environment which most of the time means
I have to do homework at home, which can be quite difficult.
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Review from Nikki A (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My children attend here on a full time basis and seem to be happy here enjoying great relationships with the staff. They seem well stimulated and are constantly learning new things and the staff are friendly and approachable.
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Review from Jayne C (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My two girls go to afterschool twice a week and absolutely love it. Because I work shifts I quite often have to swap their days about but Little Gems have always been so accommodating with this and they’re always so well organised with school pickups even with all these changes, I know I never have
to worry. Staff are friendly and the girls always come bouncing out having had a great time- I couldn’t be more pleased with the care.
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Review from A D (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have been extremely pleased with Little Gems and our child has loved every room she has been in. The staff are fabulous and it's so clear at drop off/pick up time that they are very hands on and have a great relationship with the kids. The staff are very approachable and have been really helpful
anytime we've needed them. We always recommend it to friends who are looking for daycare.
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Review from J H (Mother of Child) published on 30 March 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
As a mother who doesn’t like to leave my son anywhere or with anyone. Going back to work was difficult. My son is also extremely attached to me so the fact that I am happy and content with him being at Little Gems Private Day nursery says a lot. The staff have went above and beyond for a little boy
who still cries leaving his mummy but has a great time while he is at the nursery. It has really helped both of us on our journey because the nursery is so wonderful. I can’t thank the staff enough for everything they do for us a family. My son also loves the staff members which speaks a thousand words and reassures me about his care there.
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Review from Louise M (Mother of Child) published on 16 March 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Being a first time mother during covid, I was apprehensive about putting my first born into nursery but from my very first contact with Little Gems I had no doubt in my mind that this was the nursery for me! Every single member of staff I have come into contact with have been polite, friendly and such
genuinely warm people. The staff in the baby room are incredible, always ready to give you the time and talk to you about your child and they really do leave you massively confident that you child is being well cared for. The fact my son runs to the door with a smile on his face every day says it all for me!
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Review from Cristina D (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My two boys attend this nursery, and they couldn’t be happier.
The building and facilities are clean and modern, making them feel like home.
Great outdoor area too.
The staff are friendly and very informative.
If there’s something we miss, we receive information throughout the day through the
app as due to Covid, we are unable to go to their rooms and see them interacting.
Both kids learning and developing really well, thanks to them.
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Review from Susan M (Mother of Child) published on 14 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter attended the day nursery then followed on with the nursery school that she attends at present. The care and the teaching there is fabulous. Every day she comes running out with a big smile on her face and something new that she did that day.
The staff are excellent. Very friendly, attentive
experienced and always willing to help. The outdoor and indoor facilities are excellent with lots of activities for the kids to do and learn. Management have gone over and above in providing assistance, help and a listening ear. The food she gets is first-rate, varied and healthy. I have no hesitation in recommending Little Gems Nursery as a fantastic facilities for the care and teaching of children.
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Review from Keith H (Father of Child) published on 26 April 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Having been at nursery for about 3 months now I can say I am very pleased in how they have dealt with my child in what has been testing times with Covid. The staff provide detailed updates each day and set our mind at ease - no easy task as this is our first child and he's spending all day in a room
we haven't even been able to go into ourselves. Can't speak highly enough of the staff. The only thing I would like is to be able to remotely check in on him and see what activities the staff are doing so we could continue to build on it at home - but there have been huge advances in his development already.
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Review from Laura R (Mother of Child) published on 8 April 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
One of my boys has come the whole way through the private day care and is now in preschool. He has loved his time at Little Gems Private Day Nursery. He has made great friends through the years there. The staff are very attentive to his needs and provide a very supportive environment with plenty of
opportunities to learn and grow. My youngest son is currently in the wobbler room and has enjoyed his time at Little Gems Private Day Nursery too, albeit more limited due to lockdown. Despite the current pandemic, the staff have continued to provide excellent care and attention to the children which we as parents have so greatly appreciated.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.923)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.923) out of 10 for Little Gems Private Day Nursery 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 24 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 24 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 4.923 for Little Gems Private Day Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (264 Excellents x 5) + (20 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 285 Ratings = 4.923
  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 Little Gems Private Day Nursery is based on 24 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 103 number of registered child places is 20.6, which has been reached with 24 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

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Awards / Recognitions (17)

Meet the Team (1)

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Leah Morrow

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2008

Leah Morrow has been our manager at Little Gems since July 2022 and previously held the manager position in our Greendale nursery.

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