First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh

Grantham Road, Eastleigh SO50 5PU
Review Us
9.9 78 Reviews
This award-winning, family-run day nursery provides premium childcare and support for children aged 3 months to pre-school. Open 51 weeks of the year, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, the nursery proudly accepts government-funded childcare places.

Conveniently located on Grantham Road in Eastleigh, this sought-after and highly rated setting offers a warm, nurturing environment where children thrive. With separate rooms for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers, and a charming garden space, the nursery has been described by families as a true home-from-home.

The team is dedicated to nurturing a lifelong love of learning in every child. Their approach balances structured activities with opportunities for free play, encouraging confidence, independence, and natural curiosity. Through both guided experiences and child-led exploration, children are supported to develop the skills they need for a smooth and happy transition to school.
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Type of Service

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

Person in charge

  • Kieron Hooper (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 10

Total Places for Children

  • 42

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • From £46.50 for a half day session to £82.00 for a full day session.

  • Our prices include:


    Enhanced Curriculum:
    High-quality, trained educators, Movement & Mindfulness sessions, Earth Explorers sessions, Home learning, Makaton , Family events & celebrations, High-quality learning resources.


    Fuel for Learning:
    Fresh home-cooked nutritious snacks tailored to each child's dietary, allergy, & cultural preferences


    Everyday Essentials:
    Summer hats, Sun cream, Toothbrush, Nappies & wipes, and T-Shirts for enhanced curriculum sessions.

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:00-19:00
    Tuesday 07:00-19:00
    Wednesday 07:00-19:00
    Thursday 07:00-19:00
    Friday 07:00-19:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Parking

  • They have visitor parking available

First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh Reviews (78)

Total of 78, showing 1-20
9.9

First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.930) out of 10, based on 29 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh has 78 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 73
  • 5
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Date Published

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Review from J P (Mother of Child) published on 21 May 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This nursery is fantastic. They have been nothing but loving and caring to my little one since the moment they joined. All of the staff are professional, friendly and provide great updates. My little one enjoys nursery so much, it's a real comfort that they are smiling going in and I have confidence
they'll be safe, well fed and looked after and have a lovely day filled with fun, educational activities. Thank you.

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Review from Jack B (Father of Child) published on 7 May 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Superb nursery. My two kids have been very happy and well looked after here for the past two years. They always look forward to coming in to nursery here, and the nursery does a brilliant job of supporting their development.

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Review from M P (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I absolutely recommend First Friends Eastleigh! My son was totally supported by lovely members of staff when he first started until he settled and he is now looking forward to go to nursery!
The staff are trully amazing and they went the extra mile to make sure my son has a smooth transition in
settling , as he was very little when he first started. Thank you so much

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Review from M E (Mother of Child) published on 27 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

First Friends have really helped me feel at ease and comfortable with leaving my son in their care. He absolutely loves attending the nest. He has gained some great friends and relationships with the staff. I now know that he is in a safe and loving environment when he is at nursery. He is absolutely
thriving, the staff ensure his needs are met and he is always participating in great activities which help with his development. Overall I could not have expected any more from First Friends, their collective efforts are transparent and offer a fantastic service for children and their families.

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Review from C M (Mother of Child) published on 27 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son is still struggling to settle into toddler room and can still become quite distressed. The staff are always there to comfort him and communicate with me about activities he might enjoy to try and occupy him. This is starting to work and we can see an improvement already!
When he does become
upset the staff are always ready to support and comfort him when he needs it and also understand his past trauma and issues with food. He will happily go to the staff and key person for a cuddle when either happy or sad and to know he knows they will comfort him when I am not present is very reassuring and appreciated!

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Review from V C (Mother of Child) published on 27 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been attending first friends Eastleigh since she was 6 months old. They are an incredible setting with the most amazing staff. My daughter thoroughly enjoys her days at nursery so much so that even though we have moved we still travel all the way to Eastleigh for her to attend and will
be doing so with her younger sister too when the time comes. A real home from home feel and the staff treat the children like they would their own. I breath easy knowing my daughter is taken care of to the highest standard. I wouldn't trust anyone else. Well done all, you all do a fabulous job day in day out and I can't thank you enough!

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Review from Tiana C (Mother of Child) published on 25 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Hi little boy started with first friends after I got a new job and needed nursery hours. He had been at another local setting previous to this. He has settled in really well, he would cry and scream when going to his old setting but he cannot wait to go to first friends! I feel comfortable that he is
being well looked after and that is so so important! He also was non verbal but since starting he has really come on with his speech, overall I made the best decision in changing childcare providers and looking forward to see what the next few years bring.

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Review from Laura U (Mother of Child) published on 25 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My daughter absolutely loves going to nursery. Her confidence has grown and has made some friends ready to start her next chapter at primary school. The lovely staff there have been encouraging and supportive throughout her journey at first friends. She's provided with healthy, balanced food for snacks
and lunch and is encouraged to brush her teeth after each meal. She's learnt through role plays, reading, crafts and more. I'd recommend this nursery to any prospective parents.

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Review from M S (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Everyone who works here are amazing, they always go above and beyond and listen to anything you have to say. They do great work with the kids, including mine, could not thank them enough. Best decision I ever made was choosing this nursery and pre-school for my kids. Clean, friendly and inviting environment,
the kids have come leaps and bounds since attending here.

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Review from J T (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son started at the First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh earlier this year and we already love it. The staff are amazing and show they really care. I have recommended this nursery a few times already because I love the size of it and love the fact the manager doesn't just know the children by name
but she also knows their individual interests. The tight niche of this nursery is what sold it for me. Two staff members in particular are amazing in the nest and my son has settled so well with them both. We also love to see another staff member some mornings. I used to work in childcare myself but this nursery feels so homely and we're always welcomed with kindness. I highly recommend First Friends Eastleigh. Thank you all for making this transition effortless.

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Review from Joe M (Father of Child) published on 27 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

As a first time father, I dreaded the day sending my son off to nursery. From the very first visit to the latest pick up, I have always found the staff genuine and sincere, no matter who comes out to greet me. You always hear horror stories and just the bad things that supposedly go on at nurseries,
but the overall feeling is my son is safe and well looked after. What has been most pleasing is how well they describe his day and they really make time for conversation for any concerns I may have without shutting me down.

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Review from Gemma P (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Couldn't recommend this nursery enough, all the staff have been absolutely brilliant. My son is currently non verbal and they have been so brilliant when it's come to trying to understand his way of communicating. Looking forward to when my daughter starts at the end of February.

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Review from Nardine B (Mother of Child) published on 5 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been attending First Friends Nursery (Eastleigh) for almost 4 months now, and we've had a wonderful experience. The staff are nurturing, professional, and create a warm, supportive environment. The learning activities are engaging and have helped my daughter grow socially and academically.
The facilities are clean and well-equipped, and communication with parents is excellent. I highly recommend First friends nursery to any parent looking for a safe and enriching place for their child.

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Review from U N (Mother of Child) published on 15 January 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

First Friends Nursery has been a fantastic choice for our child. The staff truly do care for the needs of each child. We get regular updates about our child's development and what they have been up to. Our child very much looks forward to nursery and gets excited about going which in itself speaks volumes. I
have nothing but praise and admiration for the staff at First Friends Nursery. They truly are such a delightful and welcoming bunch. She has a fantastic time and loves coming every day she's here. Thank you!

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Review from A P (Father of Child) published on 13 January 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

First Friends Eastleigh is full of happy cheerful nursery workers and it is a delight to have my son attend there! There is a wonderful outside area and the nest for the little ones is so cozy. I highly recommend!

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Review from Amber S (Mother of Child) published on 13 January 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Really pleased with how my son has settled in at nursery and we have really noticed a difference in how he has developed with speech and gross motor skills since he started back in September. All the staff are really supportive and keep us regularly updated on all developments. Also love that all staff
know the names of all the children as it gives off a real personal touch and investment into all the children who attend.

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Review from Alisha W (Mother of Child) published on 20 December 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Lovely nursery. All the staff are very helpful and reassuring. My little boy really enjoys his time there. He struggled a bit at first and all the staff were so helpful at getting him settled I feel confident in their ability to give him what he needs. They feed him amazing meals that he always loves.

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Review from Patricia P (Mother of Child) published on 3 December 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We couldn't be happier with our experience at First Friends. My son settled in so well after just a couple of weeks, which speaks volumes about how warm, caring, and supportive the staff are. One of the things I love most is the regular updates we receive. The nursery sends lovely pictures that capture
the fun activities and moments during his day, it's so reassuring to see how much he's enjoying himself and the variety of learning experiences they offer.

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Review from J G (Mother of Child) published on 22 November 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are very happy with the nursery. The children love going and have bonded well with the staff. There is a great healthy menu and some engaging activities daily. We are very happy with our choice of nursery. I enjoy picture updates on the closed FB group.

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Review from T W (Mother of Child) published on 28 August 2024
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are so pleased we are able to send our youngest daughter to First Friends. Her older sister used to attend and had such a wonderful time at nursery so it's now super that it's the younger one's turn to have the fun! It's such a lovely setting, with a real family/home-from-home feel. The staff involved
in the care of my daughter are first class. They are so attentive and committed to their roles and the children, giving their best at all times. A really super nursery and it's great to be back!

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.930)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.930) out of 10 for First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 29 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 29 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:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.930 for First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh is calculated as follows: ( (323 Excellents x 5) + (21 Goods x 4) + (1 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 345 Ratings = 4.93

  • b) 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 First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh is based on 29 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 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

    • ii) 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 42 number of registered child places is 8.4, which has been reached with 29 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

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Meet the Team (1)

Kieron

Kieron Hooper

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Hi, I have been in early years since 2014, when I qualified as a Nursery Educator. Since then, I've worked across a range of settings, steadily climbing the ladder to become Nursery Manager in 2022. Alongside my hands-on experience, I also hold a degree in Early Years Childhood Studies with a 2:1.

When I'm not at nursery, you’ll find me exploring new places or cheering on my beloved Portsmouth FC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh

What is the Age Range of Children that First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh accepts?

First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh Open?

First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh is open: Monday 07:00-19:00, Tuesday 07:00-19:00, Wednesday 07:00-19:00, Thursday 07:00-19:00, Friday 07:00-19:00.

How many Children does First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh have capacity for?

First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh has capacity for a total of 42 Children.

How far is First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh to the centre of Eastleigh?

0.5 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 First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. First Friends Day Nursery - Eastleigh has an Enhanced Service - more info.