Little Gems Private Day Nursery

1 Dunlady Road, Dundonald, Belfast BT16 1TT
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9.9 136 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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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.

Contact Little Gems Private Day Nursery to get a personalised quote.

Contact Little Gems Private Day Nursery to get a personalised quote.

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

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 (136)

9.9

Little Gems Private Day Nursery has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.913) out of 10, based on 26 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Little Gems Private Day Nursery has 136 reviews.

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Date Published
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Total of 136, showing 81-100
Review from Lynsey M (Mother of Child) published on 13 December 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My children joined Little Gems this year and attend the breakfast club and after school club. The staff are amazing - fun and caring, there is plenty to do inside and outside and they have dealt so well with my children's food allergies. My children love it there and I would highly recommend Little
Gems.
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Review from Courtney A (Mother of Child) published on 6 December 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been going to this nursery for 2 and half years! He has loved every room his been too! He is currently in Breakfast club/Afterschool’s and loves it. The staff in his room are so friendly, helpful and give my son such a warm welcome every morning! They are great role models and create a safe,
secure and stimulating environment for my son! Can’t thank the staff enough!
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Review from Kerryanne F (Mother of Child) published on 6 December 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
At first, I was concerned my son wouldn't settle but I have to say I was proved wrong very quickly. He literally dashes into the room and loves the staff as well as the children he shares his day with. I love hearing about his day when I collect him, and sometimes get little paintings etc (handprints)
these are so lovely to receive. My older son attended a different nursery due to job location at the time and one thing I must be honest about is that I miss, is the ability to log online to see pictures and an update of his day what he got up to, food, Nappies etc. This is the only criticism I have though and I love that my son is so happy here and the staff so clearly love their jobs.
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Review from Sharon S (Mother of Child) published on 5 December 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I feel my child is safe and has quaility childcare and good food whilst im at work. Would highly reccommend.
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Review from Adele F (Mother of Child) published on 16 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have 2 children at Little Gems one in toddlers and one in after school. The staff are amazing and the kids love going there.
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Review from Rachel W (Mother of Child) published on 12 April 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has attended this nursery for 9 years and has loved every minute of her time at Little Gems. The girls who look after her in the after school room are amazing. So caring and kind, giving me the confidence that my daughter is looked after and happy at Little Gems. They are always going above
and beyond and have invested time in my child’s life, as a parent this means the world. My daughter's time is coming to an end at Little Gems and there will be lots of tears from me and my daughter when she leaves! I’m so glad I decided all those years ago to send my child to this nursery!
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Review from Charlotte A (Mother of Child) published on 3 April 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has attended Little Gems since 2017. He loves attending and every day learns something brand new. The staff are very professional yet offer a supportive and caring environment for my son while we are at work. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough! Really puts our minds at ease knowing he is being
so well cared for.
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Review from Ashleigh R (Mother of Child) published on 3 April 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has attended Little Gems since August 2017, she has been in three rooms and is currently in the Fantastic Lions pre-school nursery room, the girls in Little Gems have all been amazing, they genuinely care about the children and this really shows, they are always willing to go above and beyond
in supporting a child. My daughter has a great bond with her teachers and her Little Gems journey has been such a positive one. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Little Gems to other parents.
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Review from L R (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Both of our children have attended 'Gems' since they were 9 months old - one is now in junior preschool and the other in the after-school room.
Each room provides a great variety of activities and both children have had plenty of opportunities to make friendships and interact with their peers, but
also to play on their own when they have chosen to.
Little Gems provides an all-round nursery experience in a homely environment.
We have been very happy and fully recommend it.
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Review from Kaitlin H (Mother of Child) published on 22 March 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The women in the baby room seem to care for our son like family, showing great affection and even using little pet names which makes me feel like he is loved and nurtured while at daycare.
The atmosphere is calm and inviting, the staff are very friendly both in and out of the room.
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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
My daughter attends the afterschool club and I cannot recommend the nursery enough.
The staff are hugely invested in the children and take the time to help with homework, provide healthy snacks and allow them the freedom to play and have fun away from a school setting. I love seeing the drawings that
my daughter brings home and feel very secure in the knowledge that she is enjoying her time there! Well done Little Gems!
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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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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.913)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.913) 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 26 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 26 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 4.913 for Little Gems Private Day Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (286 Excellents x 5) + (22 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) + (1 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 310 Ratings = 4.913
  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 26 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 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 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 26 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.