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 Sarah L (Mother of Child) published on 19 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My 6-year-old attends the after school room at Little Gems and loves going before and after school. The staff in the room really care for the children they look after. The children get to take part in all sorts of activities and get time outside when the weather allows.
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Review from Ashley M (Mother of Child) published on 19 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been in Little Gems since he was 8 months old. He has gone through each stage and room and now attends after schools club. As a parent, I cannot recommend this nursery enough. The staff are fab and cannot do enough to help you and have always put my mind at ease having a child with bad allergies.
The nursery is bright and well equipped. My child is very content here. A happy environment for all kids.
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Review from Martricia S (Aunt of Child) published on 19 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My nephew had attended Little Gems from he was 9 months old after he was placed in my care from family difficulties. The management and staff are all a credit to this nursery, my nephew is now in the toddlers' room which he loves attending 3 days a week. The staff are very caring and go above and beyond
for the children’s needs. I will highly recommend this daycare. The management and staff made it magical for all the children at their Christmas party thanks to you all.
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Review from Jane M (Mother of Child) published on 19 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son attends the wobbler room and he has settled so well. He loves going to nursery and gets excited when we get out of the car. All of the staff are so lovely and caring and have made my son really welcome in the room. I have no concerns about him at all when I leave him in. Such a nice place for
him to go to.
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Review from Heather M (Mother of Child) published on 19 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Little Gems in Dundonald is a fabulous nursery.
We have sent our first son there since he was a baby. Everyone takes the time to learn the kids' names and their care is exceptional. Currently, my son attends Little Gems before and after school and I would highly recommend to anyone needing childcare.
The amount of activities, drawings, photos and crafts we have received is fabulous and has made great memories.
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Review from Lindsay C (Aunt of Child) published on 19 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My niece has attended Little Gems from when she was 15 months old. She is now 3 and is in the Junior Pre-School Room just really enjoying every minute! The girls in the room are amazing! The management and staff in Little Gems really do go above and beyond for every child. I couldn’t recommend them
enough as my niece has grown such a special bond with so many of the staff and is so excited to go to nursery everyday!
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Review from Natalie S (Mother of Child) published on 15 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy has been in Little Gems since he was ten months old. He is now 3 yrs and 9 months old and has loved every minute of it. It’s been great for us as working parents to know that he is not only being well looked after but that he has strong attachments to staff and the other children there.
He has moved through four rooms and continues to thrive in their care. Such caring and friendly staff provide such a varied day for the children. The 'movement and dance' people come in each week and there are so many imaginative ideas to stimulate the children throughout the year. Couldn’t recommend it highly enough and will be sad to leave.
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Review from Sarah A (Mother of Child) published on 14 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son attends afterschool room but has attended Little Gems for nearly 9 years and the staff and facilities are second to none. They always go above and beyond for the children and provide that home from home environment. Safe, secure, educational and happy!
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Review from Gemma B (Mother of Child) published on 14 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Extremely happy with how my daughters have settled into Little Gems - my eldest has returned to go to the after school club and is having a ball and enjoying getting to make new friends and seeing old friends again. Staff that knew her have gone out of their way to say hello and make her feel welcome
back. Very happy with the drop off and pick up to/from school!
My youngest has settled into a lovely homely and playful room with caring staff.
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Review from Sonya G (Mother of Child) published on 14 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has attended Little Gems from when she was 9 months. My older two daughters had previously been cared for in Little Gems so the decision was easy for us. To us it is home from home, our girls have always loved being there. The staff are amazing from babies right through to after school.
We were lucky to have received a pre-school placement also which my daughter thoroughly enjoyed as there was always so much going on. This then, well and truly prepared her for the transition to primary school. I would have no hesitation in recommending Little Gems to anyone!
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Review from S M (Guardian of Child) published on 14 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My wee one is now in his third room (toddlers) in ‘Little Gems’ and like the other two rooms, the staff are just great. The staff are so friendly, caring and professional. I could not fault the care they provide and how well my wee one RUNS in ... that sums it up!
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Review from Michelle H (Mother of Child) published on 11 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been going to little gems since she was 10 months old and she loves it. All the girls are fab and my child loves them all. A great place, I would highly recommend.
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Review from Naomi H (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The girls in the baby room were excellent with my son and helping him to settle in. They went above and beyond to meet his needs. I will definitely recommend to others! Little Gems is a great day nursery.
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Review from Kyrsten Marie C (Mother of Child) published on 13 December 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Couldn't think of a better place to send my daughter to. Staff are brilliant, really warm, friendly and very welcoming. My child has come on leaps and bounds with her shyness and learning and only gets better each week she's there. Really recommend!
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Review from Viola S (Mother of Child) published on 14 November 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent care of loving, caring, dedicated staff. I am happy, my boys are there and they enjoy time at Little Gems Private Day Nursery.
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Review from Ting G (Mother of Child) published on 9 November 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot recommend Little Gems private day nursery enough! From our first walkabout round the nursery and their facilities to my daughter attending 3 days a week every week, the staff have been so lovely and attentive. My child was basically attached to me when I was off on maternity leave for a year
so being anxious herself as well as me when she started, the staff have done their utmost for settling her in. She now loves being dropped off open-armed to the girls there and it has helped me with going back to work full time knowing that when she is at Little Gems she is in the best of care even when she is under the weather, she is getting plenty of cuddles when she needs them. The staff have got to know my child and her daily routine quickly and are prompt in notifying the parents if she has been off that day or unwell. She also loves the food there eating up all her meals and snacks every day she is there.
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Review from Laura R (Mother of Child) published on 7 November 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been in the baby room for a few months and has settled in extremely well. I am very impressed with the settling in period that was offered before I left him in full-time which I believe helped to ease him into the nursery setting. The genuine interest from staff is so reassuring as I know
he is well looked after while in their care. I know my son loves going to nursery to see his wee friends and the staff by his big smile as we walk into the building. This makes going off to work that little bit easier!! Thank you, staff, at Little Gems!!
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Review from Daniel C (Father of Child) published on 7 November 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Little Gems is excellent and our Daughter is so happy when she is dropped off and goes to the staff no problem. When we pick her up she is full of smiles and we can tell she has had a great day. We love reading her little book and seeing pictures of her having fun. We wouldn’t send our kids anywhere
else, the staff are amazing and really love the kids!
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Review from Krystal C (Mother of Child) published on 6 November 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot recommend Little Gems enough! This is our second time using the nursery, the first was with our son who adored it and now loves being able to drop his little sister off too! Little Gems offers such a friendly and homely environment for kids. The staff are so caring and my daughter settled in
quickly and doesn’t even look back when I leave her in the morning. I go to work without worrying about her, all the staff are amazing!
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Review from Ann M (Grandmother of Child) published on 2 November 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I would count this nursery one of the best (if not the best). My granddaughter is currently at it and my grandson before her. They are very good with the children and most pleasant to speak to. Highly recommend this nursery.
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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.