The Mulberry Bush

107 North Road, Belfast BT5 5NF
Review Us
9.8 72 Reviews
  • The Mulberry Bush, Belfast
The Mulberry Bush is a family-run private day nursery and has been open for 33 years, catering for children up to the age of five years. Children are cared for in four separate rooms which offer resources and learning and play opportunities most appropriate to their age and stage of development.

The nursery provides a warm, friendly and secure environment to promote children’s emotional, social, physical and intellectual development and help them reach their full potential. Children take part in a range of group activities including messy play, sensory experiences, arts and crafts, baking and role play. The nursery has three outdoor play areas where children can enjoy time outside in good weather.

Children are provided with healthy and nutritious meals and fresh fruit every day. They are encouraged to develop independent eating habits and good table manners at mealtimes. Menus are approved by a dietitian and contain no artificial colouring, preservatives or flavourings.

Snacks are given in the afternoon, yoghurts, fruit, pancakes etc.

Children with allergies can be catered for.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care

Owner

  • Judith McKee & John Herron
  • Privately Owned

Person in Charge

  • Fiona Dickson (Nursery Manager)

Admission Information

  • none

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 23

Total Places for Children

  • 45

Age Range

  • from 0 years 2 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Parents can apply through Early Years for 15% off Nursery fees


    We are registered for the NICSS Childcare scheme, tax free childcare and accept childcare vouchers


    Nursery Brochure available on request

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

  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Parking

  • Parking at the nursery

The Mulberry Bush Reviews (72)

9.8

The Mulberry Bush has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.821) out of 10, based on 19 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Mulberry Bush has 72 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
  • 72
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Reviewer Connection to The Mulberry Bush
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Total of 72, showing 1-20
Review from J M (Mother of Child) published on 3 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter loves going to the Mulberry Bush. The staff are always very friendly and greet her with a smile every day. There is a great outdoor sheltered play area and outdoor play area, which she enjoys.
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Review from Toni O (Mother of Child) published on 17 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff at The Mulberry Bush are wonderful - so friendly and super professional. They've been so kind and patient with our son as he started day care for the first time, and we get written updates on his day daily. Though only been with the centre a few weeks now, we absolutely love it.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thanks for taking the time to provide a positive review about the Mulberry Bush. We genuinely appreciate all your kind words about our caring team.
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Review from C B (Mother of Child) published on 14 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All three of my children have attended the Mulberry Bush, and I honestly couldn't recommend it highly enough. The staff are warm, caring, and so attentive to each child's needs, creating a genuinely happy and nurturing environment. My children have all thrived there, loving the wide range of activities
provided. The level of care and dedication from the team is exceptional, and I feel completely confident knowing my children are and have been so well looked after.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you so much your lovely review we really appreciate feedback on the Nursery and Staff
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Review from J F (Mother of Child) published on 22 April 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has been attending this nursery for nearly 3 years and we could not be happier with our choice. She looks forward to going everyday and asks to go the days she isn't there. The staff have all been lovely and she has really progressed during her time there. Every room our daughter has moved
to she has loved and we don't worry at all dropping her off. We would highly recommend this nursery to all parents. Thank you
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you for your kind words about the staff and Nursery .
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Review from D S (Mother of Child) published on 31 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been attending the Mulberry Bush for over 2 years. It is a wonderful and very welcoming childcare facility. Staff have always been very patient with our son and his communication difficulties. He seems to enjoy his time there and there seems to be a variety of activities throughout the day.
The facilities are very clean and I found offer a more calmer environment that some other providers.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you for your kind words about our Nursery. We are delighted to hear all the positive comments about the Staff striving to meet your child's individual needs.
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Review from C K (Mother of Child) published on 27 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are very happy with the Mulberry Bush. Our son has been attending for about a year now and is very content there. He naps and eats well and when we pick him up at the end of the day, he has had so much fun. The staff are excellent and caring and make sure he participates in lots of activities including
outdoor play which he loves. His speech and social interaction are really progressing and reflects all the attention and stimulation he receives. We found this similar to our older son who also attended MB for 3 years and thrived in this environment. Would definitely recommend the nursery to other parents.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thanks for the lovely comments about the Nursery and our staff team.
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Review from Jemma M (Mother of Child) published on 25 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The mulberry bush has been such a welcoming and nurturing environment for my son. They have been brilliant at helping him settle in last year and continue to be a very caring staff. I am extremely pleased with how attentive they are and their communication with me at the end of every day.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you for your lovely review about my very caring staff
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Review from C B (Mother of Child) published on 25 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Mulberry Bush is such a lovely setting and the staff are wonderful. Our son has thrived being in there and really enjoys his time. Communication from the nursery is brilliant, I love the fact that they use books for communication rather than an app. They cover a wide range of activities and my son
is always bringing home different drawings that he has created!
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you for your lovely review about the Nursery
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Review from L M (Mother of Child) published on 21 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband and I are very pleased with The Mulberry Bush as a nursery for our son. The staff are very friendly and they seem to have a real connection with the toddlers, we always get a detailed feedback of his day. Our son loves it as well, they offer plenty of stimulating activities, including lovely
walks when the weather allows.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you so much for your kind words about the Nursery and staff.
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Review from J C (Mother of Child) published on 19 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mulberry Bush is amazing! The staff are friendly, professional, warm and welcoming. My son has been attending for about a year now and he's so happy. He loves going to Mulberry Bush and talks to us about the fun he has with his friends and teachers. The staff go above and beyond to provide the best
childcare for our son and we're so thankful. We don't have family in Belfast so knowing he's got care we can rely on means everything to us. Thank you Mulberry Bush, for everything you do for our family!
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thanks for taking the time to write such a lovely review.
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Review from P B (Father of Child) published on 17 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are very happy with the Mulberry Bush. Our child has thrived there in the 2+ years he's been attending, and we always feel this is for him a loving, supporting environment, attended by outstanding professionals. Top marks for this nursery.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you for your lovely comments about the Nursery.
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Review from J A (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
We are delighted with Mulberry Bush as a day Nursery for our daughter. The staff are always so welcoming and appear to have genuine connections with the little ones under their care. The craft and activities they provide are stimulating and our daughter always seems very content when we pick her up.
My only suggestion for improvement is that it is a bit old school with daily report cards as opposed to apps/photo updates- although I appreciate this has its merits as well.
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Review from M G (Father of Child) published on 18 February 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff are friendly, and attentive, and offer a wide range of stimulating activities to aid the development of your child. Me and my wife have total confidence that our child is in safe hands while at The Mulberry Bush.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you so much for your words regarding our friendly staff
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Review from R M (Father of Child) published on 18 February 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has developed so many social skills at the nursery and his confidence continues to grow and grow. Staff are very warm and friendly, and there is a caring ethos throughout each of the rooms. I would definitely recommend the nursery.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you so much for the Great review about The Mulberry Bush
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Review from C H (Mother of Child) published on 17 February 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child is so happy at The Mulberry Bush and always has a full day packed full of fun activities (particularly enjoying walks to see the ducks). The staff really know him and are able to give me detailed feedback on how he is getting on.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you for your kind review about The Mulberry Bush Day Nursery
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Review from L B (Father of Child) published on 21 November 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Our daughter has been here for over a year and is very happy here. We chose the nursery to begin with because of the smaller number of children per room and great ratio of carer to child. They helped her settle in brilliantly and she has formed great bonds with the key workers who care for her. Would
definitely recommend.
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Review from Kerry L (Mother of Child) published on 13 November 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent nursery. Not too big that it can be overwhelming for children.
Brilliant staff who show great care and attention to children. Felt so at ease dropping my child there.
Take the children out on walks and get lots of outdoor activities.
Cannot fault it in any way.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you for your kind words about the Mulberry Bush and the Brilliant staff.
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Review from M H (Mother of Child) published on 11 November 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Always very friendly and helpful staff, my son settled in there very well and loves it. A great variety of activities for him to enjoy which has really helped his development. Would recommend it to anyone looking for a good family-run daycare.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you for your lovely comments about the Mulberry Bush.
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Review from S M (Father of Child) published on 11 November 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Mulberry Bush is a top-rate nursery. The staff are very attentive, hard-working and caring. I have 2 children there at various ages and both are extremely happy in attending. A well-run nursery all around.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you for your lovely comments about the Mulberry Bush.
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Review from A B (Mother of Child) published on 11 August 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My two daughters attend and have always loved it. It is a caring environment with friendly and helpful staff. Lots of resources and outside space for all ages.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
Thank you for your lovely comments about the Mulberry Bush.
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.821)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.821) out of 10 for The Mulberry Bush is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 19 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 19 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 4.821 for The Mulberry Bush is calculated as follows: ( (193 Excellents x 5) + (22 Goods x 4) + (9 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 224 Ratings = 4.821
  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 The Mulberry Bush is based on 19 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 45 number of registered child places is 9, which has been reached with 19 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 (9)

Meet the Team (1)

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Fiona Dickson

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 1995

I have worked in the Mulberry Bush Day Nursery for 30 years.
My sister owns it and retired a few years ago.
Some of the staff have been with me for over 20 years and have gone on to do their Level 5 in Childcare.
We are a Family run Nursery and we put the children first.


Let our Family look after your Family

Frequently Asked Questions about The Mulberry Bush

What is the Age Range of Children that The Mulberry Bush accepts?

The Mulberry Bush accepts Children aged from 0 years 2 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is The Mulberry Bush Open?

The Mulberry Bush is open: 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.

How many Children does The Mulberry Bush have capacity for?

The Mulberry Bush has capacity for a total of 45 Children.

How far is The Mulberry Bush to the centre of Belfast?

2.4 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

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