Otters Nursery School

The Old Dairy, Farleigh Road, Cliddesden, Basingstoke RG25 2JS
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8.0 32 Reviews
  • Otters Nursery School, Basingstoke
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Jordan Ruddick (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 12

Total Places for Children

  • 56

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

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas
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Otters Nursery School Reviews (32)

8.0

Otters Nursery School has a Review Score of 8.0 (8.000) out of 10, based on 2 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Otters Nursery School has 32 reviews.

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Total of 32, showing 1-20
Review from Georgia T (Mother of Child) published on 3 December 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter recently attended Otters and we could not speak more highly of the nursery. She attended the baby and then partially toddler room and she loved it.
The staff are so personable, there really is a family environment for both the children and the parents. Nursery teachers became someone
we could confide in and easily go to for advice. The trust and love my daughter had for the nursery teachers was beautiful to see and really helped me feel comfortable when going to work and leaving her from such a young age.
For our daughter, even from such an early age she beamed from ear to ear on the way into to nursery. Developmentally she came on in leaps and bounds.
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.
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Review from Yuliya W (Mother of Child) published on 28 June 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
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.
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Review from N S (Mother of Child) published on 7 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
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.
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Review from Helen W (Mother of Child) published on 1 July 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
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.
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Review from Jessica J (Mother of Child) published on 21 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
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!
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Review from Charlie B (Mother of Child) published on 15 March 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
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!
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Review from Hannah D (Mother of Child) published on 21 April 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
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.
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Review from Charlotte L (Mother of Child) published on 21 August 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
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.
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Review from Mike W (Father of Child) published on 6 June 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I rate Otters Nursery School highly. The staff are all friendly and the set-up of the whole nursery works well for our daughter. The nursery is set in a rural setting and it gives the children plenty of opportunity to do outdoor activities.
As a parent, I also enjoy their use of Tapestry so that we
can see our daughter’s progress and some of the activities she does there.
The car park is quite small which can cause a small wait during busy periods, but this is being addressed by the nursery.
I would highly recommend the nursery to anyone and we are delighted that our daughter is attending there.
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Review from Katie S (Mother of Child) published on 4 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
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.
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Review from Kirstie M (Mother of Child) published on 19 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been at Otters for a couple of months now and we are so impressed with how the staff have taken care of him. He gets upset at drop off in the morning but the staff are fantastic with him, giving him cuddles and helping him to settle into his environment. We have seen some lovely pictures
of the activities he does while he is there and get a good update of how he has been throughout the course of the day at pick up time. We are also impressed at the extra mile that Otters have gone for our son, they use sign language with him to help him communicate and help him with his physio, we are so thankful.
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.
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Review from K W (Father of Child) published on 19 March 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Otters have provided a wonderful time for our child. The location in the countryside, great variety of meals that make us want to have our meals there too and the wide variety of activities are all first class.
Without doubt, the quality of care of all of the staff cannot be praised enough.
We always
know our child will get wonderful care and attention on any day of the week.
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Review from Carly (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been attending Otters Nursery for 18 months now and he absolutely loves it. All of the staff are brilliant with the children and quick to help with any queries. They are constantly updating and looking at ways to improve the nursery as well.
The baby room is well managed by the staff who
really helped settle us in. We are now in Toddlers with staff who are all absolutely fantastic and really bring out the best in our son.
The manager is brilliant and always available for a chat. She even called me back on her day off once.
When we were looking at nurseries we decided on Otters because when we went to visit, it was full of children laughing and running around having fun which is exactly what we wanted for our little boy.
I have no hesitation in leaving a positive review and regularly recommend the nursery to my friends and family with children.
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Review from Rachel R (Mother of Child) published on 9 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
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!

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Review from V E (Mother of Child) published on 16 October 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has settled really well in the baby room and toddler room and has made lots of progress. The staff are lovely and really engage and care for all the children.
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.


The space is not as big as maybe some other nurseries but the homely feel is a lovely environment.
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.

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Review from Vicky H (Mother of Child) published on 12 October 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child has been attending Otters for over 2 years. We were fortunate enough to have grandparent support when I returned to work so we didn’t need to find a nursery initially. When my husband and I first decided that we wanted our daughter to have the social experience of nursery, I thought the decision
of which one would be hard. I work in education and in particular, the early years setting, so my husband joked that ‘nowhere would be good enough’ for our daughter I’m my eyes.
How wrong he was!
We visited Otters and immediately fell in love with it. The provision they have for outdoor learning and the total dedication of the staff cannot be faulted.
My daughter absolutely loves everything about Otters Nursery. She comes back filthy - which in my eyes, is a sign of a wonderful day, full of exploration! Whether it’s cooking in their mud kitchen, counting conkers or searching for worms in the garden - it’s all hands on learning!
Thank you to all the staff.
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Review from Sara D (Mother of Child) published on 16 August 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
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.
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Review from Emma M (Mother of Child) published on 21 March 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
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.

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Review from Michelle H (Mother of Child) published on 16 March 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
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.
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Review from Hollie (Mother of Child) published on 16 March 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
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!
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Current Review Score: 8.0 (8.000)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.0 (8.000) out of 10 for Otters Nursery School is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 2 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.3 out of 5 from 2 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 4.696 for Otters Nursery School is calculated as follows: ( (17 Excellents x 5) + (5 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 23 Ratings = 4.696
  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 3.304 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Otters Nursery School is based on 2 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 = 3.125
    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 56 number of registered child places is 11.2. 2 Positive Reviews ÷ 11.2 = 0.179
  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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Frequently Asked Questions about Otters Nursery School

What is the Age Range of Children that Otters Nursery School accepts?

Otters Nursery School accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Otters Nursery School Open?

Otters Nursery School 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 Otters Nursery School have capacity for?

Otters Nursery School has capacity for a total of 56 Children.

How far is Otters Nursery School to the centre of Basingstoke?

2.0 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 Otters Nursery School to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Otters Nursery School has an Basic Service - more info.