Otters Nursery School

The nursery regularly catered to our needs for example suggesting they settle our daughter with dollies with the arrival of a new sibling, or making birthday cards for family members while we were at work. It was the little things that really helped us as a family.

Otters Nursery is a lovely little nursery where my child is loved. We started when my baby was around 10 months from their baby room and were very happy with our choice. As a first-time mum it was natural to feel anxious about leaving the little one but the nursery manager replied to all our questions and gave valuable advice on our first visiting day. To date all staff has been very friendly, kind to children and my baby really loves it there. It took us around two weeks to settle (I mean no tears at drop-off settle) and it was all thanks to the staff. Otters Nursery promotes spending time outdoors and they have one of the loveliest space for it in Basingstoke. At the end of the day we receive a full report on our child's well-being as well as many posts in the app for some things kids do throughout the day. Every holiday there is a lovely little craft is given to parents which is very sweet. As of the developmental part, there are enough messy and sensory play experiences. Thank you Otters.

All of my children attend Otters Nursery and have done since they turned 1. The team are fantastic, caring and have the children’s best interests at heart. They listen to feedback and strive to improve wherever possible. We have a newsletter each term and are offered weekly video calls with the nursery manager if required so we can check in on our child’s development. We also receive a termly report on our children’s development. There is a different topic each term and we are encouraged as parents to get involved. We also receive lovely artwork each term which relates to the topic they have been learning about and daily feedback at pick up on what our children have been up to that day. I couldn’t recommend Otters enough.

Since starting at Otters, aged 10 months, my son's development has come such a long way. The activities the staff lead him in, and the way they foster interaction between the children have led to marked improvements in his confidence and ability to engage with learning. Communication from Otters is excellent, and they really do know my child as an individual. I can tell that safeguarding procedures are well monitored. I love the ethos of Otters and am very happy for my family to be part of this institution (yes- as parents, we feel very included, as well as our child). Thank you, Otters.

My daughter has been in Otters Nursery School since she was 9-months old and has been in the baby and toddler rooms so far. She absolutely loves going in every day and never wants to come home and I think that is such a credit to all the staff. They are so caring and warm towards the children. Otters Nursery School provides such a wonderful environment for my daughter to grow in and I love that they spend a lot of time outside and even go for walks! They are really good at sending updates of what the children have been up to and cover such a variety of activities every week. Such a friendly place and I am so pleased my daughter loves it there!

My son has been in the baby room at Otters Nursery School since September 2021. The level of care that he has received has so far been fantastic. All the staff are so friendly and welcoming and they are always so helpful. We receive regular updates and photos, via the app, showing us what he’s been up to and always receive information about what he’s eaten, how long he slept for etc. when we collect him at the end of the day. I genuinely love the fact that he comes out with flour in his hair or covered in paint and with a smile on his face too!

My son has been attending Otter’s Nursery School since last year and I honestly could not be happier with how he’s progressing. Having worked in a different nursery previously, it was very hard choosing the right nursery but Otter’s Nursery School ticked every box. I absolutely love that they use an app so I can see what he’s been doing whilst I’m at work. The outdoor areas are fantastic, the staff are so welcoming and accommodating. Our son gets very excited when he knows it’s a nursery day and talks non-stop about all his friends and staff there. Would highly recommend.

My son has been at Otters for almost two years now, and I couldn't imagine him going to any other nursery. He only attends once a week, but is always excited when I tell him its a nursery day. There's a great variety of activities for the children, with an emphasis on outside play, which is one of the things which most appealed to me about the nursery. The staff are all friendly, and passionate about what they do, and they know each child well. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the other children always seem happy too. I feel confident my son is well looked after at Otters and feels at home there. It's lovely to see him coming out of his shell and developing his first friendships.

I would highly recommend the nursery to anyone and we are delighted that our daughter is attending there.

We loved Otters from our first visit - it had exactly the atmosphere we were looking for for our son. The staff are very caring and accommodating - they didn't even flinch when we explained that our son has some additional needs as he is peg fed. Everyone has gone out of their way to make both him and us feel welcome and included. We would not hesitate to recommend Otters to anyone.

We are so pleased that we chose Otter's, it has a lovely atmosphere and the staff are very friendly. We would highly recommend this nursery.

We always know our child will get wonderful care and attention on any day of the week.

I have no hesitation in leaving a positive review and regularly recommend the nursery to my friends and family with children.

My son went to Otters and now he’s at school my daughter attends.

Otters have been brilliant with both my children, my daughter is incredibly clingy to me and the staff at Otters have gone all out to help her settle.

Thank you Otters!

They do lots outdoors including walks into surrounding countryside. The App for parents is great to see pictures and videos of the activities they have been doing.

A good breakfast, cooked lunch and snacks are available but not tea.

Although the car park is small we haven’t had any difficulty at drop offs or pick ups times.

Would definitely recommend to others.

Thank you to all the staff.

My son (18months) loves going to Otters. He goes 4 days a week and is very happy there. He is in the baby room. They do lots of activities and the children always seem to be playing happily at pick up and drop off.

My son started at Otters Nursery School when he was 15 months, he is now 26 months. I love the way that children are treated as part of an extended family. There is not a regimented feel to the nursery (although there is routine), children play freely, use imaginations, and spend time outside taking in the beautiful surroundings. Staff are warm with parents and children, and take an interest in life outside the nursery. No-one is judged, your own parenting style is embraced.

When we first started at Otters our son's usual routine was followed to help him settle. As he's grown, the staff have enjoyed seeing his progress. There is no shortage of love and cuddles on offer, and I feel happy that he is being looked after extremely well.

There are activities (creating crafts, doing cooking, messy play etc) and special events put on for parents to attend with children.

I like receiving notifications via Tapestry, which lets the nursery update photos and tells parents what the children are up to.

So glad we found Otters! The staff here are absolutely wonderful. They treat each other like family and treat your children like their own. I wholeheartedly trust them all and my son loves attending. They always do super fun activities and get involved with topical days such as world book day. Their communication with us as parents is excellent. We get a daily book change, an informed log reviewing their day and the Tapestry updates are very regular. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Otters to all of my friends, we can't thank them enough for all they do for him.

My son has been at Otters since 2015. Since joining he has flourished into a confident happy little boy with a lot of friends. He adores all staff at Otters and always comes home with tales of what adventures he's been up to! They regularly go for walks and come home covered in mud which is, for me, the best bit about this nursery! I am so grateful for how all staff at Otters look after him just as I would and have built strong relationships with both him and myself. I cannot recommend otters more and do frequently suggest to friends looking for nurseries! Thank you Otters!