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.

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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to The Mulberry Bush
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Review from S E (Mother of Child) published on 25 July 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My child has been at the nursery for nearly 2.5 years and overall the experience has been positive. Their staff are very caring and kind to the children as a whole. Room for improvement on making sure those kids not in for the full week benefit from celebrations on special days, we found this was very
much centred on days our child was not there which was unfair.
Reply from Fiona Dickson, Manager at The Mulberry Bush
We are very sorry that you feel that your child has been treated unfairly, that is certainly not our intention.
Celebrations are generally held on the busiest day of our week.
Children who do not…read more
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Review from M E (Father of Child) published on 4 November 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
It is clear to see from the start that the Mulberry Bush are a group of caring people, who take an interest in your kids and their wellbeing. Our kids settled in very quickly and the Mulberry Bush's routine and activities have added to their growth and development. When collecting them, you can see
that they are having fun and really enjoying their time there. I would recommend it highly to anyone in the area, a great experience for your kids and peace of mind for parents.
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Review from Kate K (Mother of Child) published on 5 May 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All three of our children have attended the Mulberry Bush and have absolutely loved it. The level of care and attention is fantastic, the staff could not be more lovely and we felt that our children were in a very safe and nurturing environment. We will be very sad to say goodbye when our youngest leaves
later this year. We would highly recommend the Mulberry Bush to anyone (and have done so many times!).
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Review from L M (Mother of Child) published on 3 May 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My children are always happy going to nursery and miss it at the weekends and holidays! The staff are always friendly and helpful and there is a lovely homely feel about the nursery. My children are definitely part of the Mulberry Bush family. The food served is delicious (so I’m told) and healthy too.
An all round great place and as a mother, I have peace of mind that my kids are happy, content and safe. I would highly recommend it to any family out there.
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Review from David J (Father of Child) published on 30 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The vast majority of the staff have been at the nursery for years and this experience is really important for us. They are all very friendly and approachable, including the management team and owner, which is a great comfort.
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Review from Lauren P (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at the nursery since October 2020. She really enjoys going and talks about all the things she has done that day in the nursery and about friends she has made. The staff are brilliant and always so friendly to talk to and my daughter always has a big smile and a wave for them when
she sees them waiting at the door! The meals they provide too, my daughter really enjoys and she is usually so fussy with food at home! She has thrived since starting there, especially over covid it has been brilliant that they have worked so hard over the pandemic ensuring safety for themselves and the children. I highly recommend the Mulberry Bush to anyone. The children are so well cared for and I have no worries at all when my daughter is there.
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Review from J G (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been at The Mulberry Bush for over a year now after settling in extremely quickly. The staff are all very caring and happy to spend time talking to us at the end of each day to let us know how he is getting on. I asked my friend for a nursery recommendation and am very glad she recommended
The Mulberry Bush to us. We are very happy with our choice.
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Review from K M (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter is always very happy going into the nursery. The staff are friendly and enthusiastic and take a real interest in our daughter's development. The Halloween party that the nursery organised, was very thoughtful. My husband and I would recommend The Mulberry Bush nursery to any parent/guardian.
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Review from Joseph E (Father of Child) published on 23 November 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our two daughters go to The Mulberry Bush, and both love it, and both settled in extremely quickly. All the staff have been excellent, and we would definitely recommend this nursery to anyone.
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Review from L M (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My child has settled in so well at Mulberry Bush - she loves it. She's there four days a week and now waves me off at the door. All the staff are friendly and helpful. No electronic way to check on your child during the day (with iPad's etc) but otherwise, very happy and would highly recommend it.
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Review from J B (Mother of Child) published on 20 May 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son and daughter both really enjoy their time at The Mulberry Bush. The staff are great and the activities they do are fun, wide ranging and developmental. I couldn't be happier.
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Review from A M (Mother of Child) published on 16 May 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Mulberry Bush nursery provide a fantastic service, they are attentive, caring and very helpful. We as parents would highly recommend The Mulberry Bush nursery. We particularly like the small groups, we are confident our child is looked after very well.
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Review from C D (Mother of Child) published on 19 March 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I would highly recommend this nursery. My son is content attending on his designated days. The staff are always warm and welcoming, they provide a variety of activities for the kids every day and a varied diet.
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Review from N V (Mother of Child) published on 3 February 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Great daycare. Staff are so great with my child. He puts his arms out for them everyday and with COVID19 that isn't common. They've helped make me feel relaxed in such a challenging year. Very approachable.
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Review from J S (Father of Child) published on 26 January 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has had a great experience at The Mulberry Bush. He has developed really well within the time he has been there. A great family-run nursery.
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Review from N W (Mother of Child) published on 22 January 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Excellent experience sending our two children to the nursery. Excellent, friendly staff who have a genuine care for children. We like that the rooms are small and our children really enjoy the activities and getting to know the others in their group. Developmentally they have come on so much since attending.
I would really recommend this nursery if you would like a family-run nursery with smaller group settings. Also, there has been no or very little change of staff in the 2.5 years we have used the nursery, which is great.
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Review from Katrina L (Mother of Child) published on 20 January 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have been really pleased with how well and how quickly our little boy has settled. Leaving him to go back to work was very difficult but it has been made much easier knowing the staff at the nursery are all lovely and my little boy is delighted to see them each week. The nursery environment has definitely
helped his development and they do lots of different activities on most days. After 4 months we are very happy with our decision to choose The Mulberry Bush over other well-known chain nurseries in the area. We would highly recommend the nursery.
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Review from M T (Father of Child) published on 13 April 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My 20-month-old daughter enjoys her time at the nursery and has been picking loads of stuff up from basic language to counting.
Very happy with the attitude of staff/management, kept up to date with what my daughter has been doing/eating every day.
Would recommend the nursery to any parent.
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Review from N D (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been going to the Mulberry Bush for 5 months now and she loves it, she shouts with happiness when we turn into the car park! The staff are genuinely caring and I can see the great relationship she has with them. The children do lots of great activities si I have no worries. My daughter
finds the days she's at nursery long. The Mulberry Bush has made my return to work after maternity leave so much easier as I know my daughter is happy and is so well cared for.
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Review from Lucy M (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have had a wonderful experience with The Mulberry Bush over the past 5 years.
Both of my children have had a positive time there with the helpful staff, varied activities and have learnt a lot during their time at nursery - both educationally - colours, words etc but also socially through interaction
with their peers.
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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

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