Arcadia @ Kings Buildings

Kings Buildings, University of Edinburgh, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh EH9 3BF
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9.9 27 Reviews
  • Arcadia @ Kings Buildings, Edinburgh
Arcadia is a purpose-designed nursery, opened in 2014, designed by award-winning architect Malcolm Fraser. Established to give early years children an ideal setting in which they can learn and develop. The design is based on supporting free play and giving children the chance to learn new skills and interests. As well as light, bright and flexible internal spaces Arcadia Kings Building has large outdoor spaces for children to grow and learn.

Meals are enjoyed in an open plan shared dining space and are freshly prepared each day by chefs.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Vivi Koumati (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 28

Total Places for Children

  • 113

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Our fees include all meals, snacks, nappies and wipes.

  • In partnership with Edinburgh City Council, 1140 hours funded places are also available.

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

  • 2 weeks at Christmas & 3 In Service Days

Arcadia @ Kings Buildings Reviews (27)

9.9

Arcadia @ Kings Buildings has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.907) out of 10, based on 25 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Arcadia @ Kings Buildings has 27 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 24
  • 3
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Date Published
  • 27
  • 7
  • 10
  • 25
  • 2
Reviewer Connection to Arcadia @ Kings Buildings
  • 15
  • 12
Total of 27, showing 21-27
Review from Ben M (Father of Child) published on 29 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has been there for nearly two years now. She took longer than most to settle, during quite a long period, all the staff were so incredibly patient and caring towards her. Since then, she has come to really love nursery, the constant fun and engagement with the warm carers and children.
The nursery facilities are beyond what we could have hoped for, I remember walking around there for the first time thinking I wish I could regress to being a 2-year-old. It is just so cool with the different levels, areas and the modern/nature-filled outdoor space. The open-plan kitchen dining area is also super cool, reminds me of a Michelin-star dining experience. There are just so many small things that the nursery does to help the children and spark joy (e.g. free fruit on the way home, great homemade decorations). Overall, it is always going to be hard to drop your child off while you work but given how amazing this place is, it makes it a little less so.
Reply from Laura Brownlee, Head of Nursery Operations at Arcadia @ Kings Buildings
We are really happy you and your family are having such a positive experience with us and thank you for taking the time to share.
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Review from Milena N (Mother of Child) published on 29 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A joyful journey: nursery review for our 1.5-year-old
Enrolling our little one at Arcadia @ Kings Buildings when he was just 10 months old has been an immensely rewarding decision. The nurturing environment and dedicated staff have played a pivotal role in his growth and development. From the outset,
the caregivers welcomed him with open arms, fostering a sense of belonging and security. The facilities are thoughtfully designed, providing ample opportunities for exploration and learning. We're impressed by the diverse curriculum, which includes enriching activities tailored to his age and interests. Communication with the staff is seamless and we appreciate the regular updates on his progress. Overall, Arcadia has exceeded our expectations, providing a loving and stimulating environment that has truly become a second home for our little one. Highly recommended!
Reply from Laura Brownlee, Head of Nursery Operations at Arcadia @ Kings Buildings
From everyone at Kings Buildings Nursery, we would like to thank you for such kind feedback.
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Review from Andrew M (Father of Child) published on 28 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My wife and I have had three children at Arcadia @ Kings Buildings and they have all loved it.
Each of our children is different, with our two girls spending four years at Arcadia, enjoying the variety of indoor and outdoor activities and building strong bonds with staff. They still like to pop in
to pick up their brother and see the staff.
Our youngest has learning difficulties and had very significant, additional medical requirements, having had heart and lung issues. Nothing was too much trouble for the team at Arcadia, we have felt our boy has been loved and supported throughout.
Thanks to the team at Arcadia.
Reply from Laura Brownlee, Head of Nursery Operations at Arcadia @ Kings Buildings
Many thanks from the whole team at Kings Building for your lovely feedback, we really appreciate it!
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Review from Mark W (Father of Child) published on 28 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are delighted with the staff and environment at Arcadia @ Kings Buildings. Our child is excited to go there every day. He comes home full of stories, things to share and craft projects. The staff are welcoming and treat the children with such kindness and care. They cultivate curiosity and are helping
to prepare the children for school (and life!)
The nursery is colourful, with many different areas and environments, inside and out, and lots of toys and activities. The children are encouraged to play in a sharing manner. The chef and team in the kitchen prepare healthy and apparently, tasty food (it certainly smells good!) and are careful to ensure children with special requirements are accommodated without discrimination.
We have loved our experience with Arcadia - the staff, in particular, are very special - and we'll be sad to leave when our child graduates to primary school.
Reply from Laura Brownlee, Head of Nursery Operations at Arcadia @ Kings Buildings
From everyone at Kings Building, we really appreciate this lovely feedback! We are also sad when graduation comes round but we promise to give the children the best send-off into their next adventure.
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Review from Melanie B (Mother of Child) published on 28 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We love Arcadia @ Kings Buildings and our son loves it too! The staff are wonderful and know the children really well. Forest school and birthday cake making are particular highlights. The building is brilliant with loads of outdoor space. Can't wait for the littlest to get started!
Reply from Laura Brownlee, Head of Nursery Operations at Arcadia @ Kings Buildings
We really appreciate you taking the time to leave us such a lovely review.
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Review from K W (Mother of Child) published on 2 October 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My preschool aged daughter loves coming to nursery, she has made some great friends and has really strong bonds with some of the team which really means a lot as a parent. She has been at Arcadia since she was 1 year old and feels totally comfortable, if anything too comfortable! But it gives me peace
of mind that she is happy and thriving while at nursery.
Everything is included for the price too which means it is really good value for money.
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Review from Megan K (Mother of Child) published on 21 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Son has attended Arcadia Kings Buildings for 18 months now and we could not be happier with the place. The facilities are excellent, spacious, clean, safe and garden area is ideal for kids. The staff are very kind and considerate, they make a big effort with parents and the kids. Having cooks at the
nursery is excellent as we know our son is eating fresh and healthy meals. Would always recommend this nursery as we’ve had a brilliant experience.
Reply from Laura Brownlee, Head of Nursery Operations at Arcadia @ Kings Buildings
We really appreciate your kind feedback. Thank you.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.907)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.907) out of 10 for Arcadia @ Kings Buildings 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 25 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 25 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 4.907 for Arcadia @ Kings Buildings is calculated as follows: ( (274 Excellents x 5) + (24 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 300 Ratings = 4.907
  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 Arcadia @ Kings Buildings is based on 25 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 113 number of registered child places is 22.6, which has been reached with 25 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 (0)

Meet the Team (1)

Vivi

Vivi Koumati

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2023

Our Kings Building Nursery is a large 113-place setting and is managed by Vivi Koumati.


Vivi has vast experience in leadership roles and has over 12 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. Vivi holds a PDA in Childhood Practice as well as a speech and language diploma.


Vivi ensures she supports her whole team to deliver the best outcomes for the children in their care, with the child at the centre of all they do.

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