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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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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Review from Victoria C (Mother of Child) published on 16 December 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has attended Little Gems for over 2 years and currently attends the pre-school. What makes Little Gems so special is the caring staff. They create a loving environment and our daughter has a great relationship with them all. I would not hesitate to recommend Little Gems.
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Review from Anya (Mother of Child) published on 12 December 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My youngest has been going since he was four months old and now attends the pre-school and really loves it. He suffers from febrile seizures and has had a few with them and they have taken the best care of him, even when I had to go with him in the ambulance late one afternoon they took care of his
big brother and brought him home to my husband. Wonderful caring staff who really go the extra mile, couldn't thank them enough.
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Review from Victoria K (Mother of Child) published on 12 December 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I currently have one child in Pre school and one child just left pre school last year. Both had been in for at least two years. I have tried other nurseries prior to Little Gems and none came close. The staff are like family to the children, very caring and enthusiastic. I know that this nursery has
given my boys a great start in their education and social skills. Thank you and keep up the great work!
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Review from Claire B (Mother of Child) published on 9 December 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Just home from seeing the pre school Christmas play at Little Gems. It was fantastic! Well done to all the children and staff for their hard work. The care and support received for my daughter in her first term at pre school have been outstanding. She has a slightly nervous and anxious personality,
but has settled quickly and enjoyed extra attention from staff when it was required. This is a loving, caring environment to send your child to. Thank you, Little Gems.
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Review from Paul H (Father of Child) published on 28 November 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A wonderful nursery. Our daughter went here from age 1 to 5 and our son is now there too. All staff are fantastic. Both our children love going here. We moved house 2 years ago and this nursery is no longer particularly handy, but we would not dream of going anywhere else.
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Review from Paul (Father of Child) published on 23 November 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff are great at Little Gems Private Day Nursery. Our son loves it here. Every day there is different activities to get involved in. The menu is really varied and the staff take the time to make sure all the children get enough to eat. Nothing is ever a problem for the staff, and they keep you
updated throughout the day if our son is feeling a bit under the weather. You can call anytime for an update on how he is doing. Settling in is really relaxed and taken at a pace that suits each child. Can't recommend them enough.
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Review from Lisa H (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic, dedicated and long serving staff who are welcoming, friendly and helpful to children and parents. They can not do enough for your child. Plenty of activities, dressing up, imaginative crafts and entertainment. The nursery is bright, airy and well maintained. The large garden is well thought
out and fenced in with each age group having their own area and age appropriate toys to play with. The children are offered tasty, healthy and varied meals. My 2nd child is currently in her 3rd year at Little Gems Nursery. My eldest child who attended for 3.5 years tells me he wishes he still went as he misses being there. I highly recommend this nursery to anyone looking for childcare.
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Review from Michelle (Mother of Child) published on 21 November 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is my son's second year at the after school club in Little Gems. He is very happy here and was eagerly waiting all summer to return in September! The staff are amazing! They care about every single child in their care and go above and beyond to understand my son's difficulties and strengths and
input accordingly. He is helped with his homework and encouraged to do his best, they provide the support he needs to complete his homework (which I know a lot of other nurseries cannot provide). I really feel a sense of love for all the children there by the staff. A member of staff and management offered support to myself recently during a difficult time, so it does not just stop at the children, I feel like us parents are valued too. I cannot praise Little gems enough for everything they do for my son. I hope by the time my son is 11 years old they will have opened an after school section for older children too, so that he may continue to go here, otherwise he will be one unhappy boy.
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Review from Sophie M (Mother of Child) published on 18 November 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My 1 year old son joined Little Gems 3 months ago, ahead of my impending return to work after maternity leave. The settling period was really well organised and gave my son a chance to build relationships with the staff and other children and get used to his new routine. The management and staff take
the time to get to know each child individually and I do feel like my child receives a lot of one-on-one time with the staff, especially during activities such as arts and crafts (He comes home every week with different pictures he has created using handprints, etc!). They also keep me very well-informed of what he has been up to each day. My son thoroughly enjoys his days at Little Gems and I cannot thank them enough for making my transition back to work that little bit easier!
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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.