Little Minnows Nursery

51 Lemon Street, Truro TR1 2PE
Review Us
9.9 42 Reviews
  • Little Minnows Nursery, Truro
Little Minnows is a family-owned nursery in the Heart of Truro. Their vision is to provide a home from home environment in which children aged 3 months to five years can thrive and grow whilst learning through play.

Little Minnows is a friendly, welcoming and inclusive setting. They offer a caring, stimulating and nurturing indoor space. They benefit from a large enclosed garden with a multitude of areas to be explored, whether during child-led or adult-led activities, your little ones will love the sense of freedom and adventure.

As a family-run nursery, they appreciate the challenges of balancing work and family life and they understand the need to be assured that your child is in safe nurturing hands whilst they are in the nursery's care.

They want your child to feel safe, secure and happy so that each child can benefit from a wide range of activities provided by the highly qualified team of practitioners. They believe that this Foundation Stage is vital to underpinning your child’s happiness and success in the rest of their learning journey.

Funding & Fees

From £46.20 per half day or £68.30 per full day.

Fees include all meals, snacks, resources and any trips out during that session, there are no hidden extras.

Contact Little Minnows Nursery to get a personalised quote.

Contact Little Minnows Nursery to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

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

Owner

  • Hayley & Tom Clow
  • Privately Owned

Person in Charge

  • Rachel Dawes (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 25

Total Places for Children

  • 40

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 & 1 week at Christmas

Parking

  • Off road parking at the front of the Nursery through the narrow gates. There is also parking on the street outside.

9.9

Little Minnows Nursery has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.913) out of 10, based on 22 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Little Minnows Nursery has 42 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 41
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Date Published
  • 42
  • 9
  • 9
  • 22
  • 20
Reviewer Connection to Little Minnows Nursery
  • 37
  • 5
Total of 42, showing 41-42
Review from Ben F (Father of Child) published on 12 July 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Of all the nurseries we looked at for our 18-month-old son Little Minnows was head and shoulders above the rest (and we looked everywhere)! It's got a feel of home from home where all the staff are wonderful and look after our son so well. The nursery and gardens are stunning. Being in the centre of
Truro is also a real bonus. I could not recommend Little Minnows enough. 10/10!
Reply from Hayley Clow, Director/ Manager at Little Minnows NurseryThank you so very much for taking the time to do such a lovely review. It's very much appreciated.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Laura W (Mother of Child) published on 9 July 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Such a lovely nursery, the staff are very caring and our daughter loves it here. Fabulous, clean building with a huge garden for the children to play in, a vegetable patch and reading under a magnolia tree - it's such a lovely environment for her to be in.
Reply from Hayley Clow, Director at Little Minnows NurseryThank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review, we very much appreciate it.
We are so glad your daughter enjoys coming to Little Minnows and you are happy with everything we provide.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.913)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.913) out of 10 for Little Minnows Nursery 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 22 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 22 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 4.913 for Little Minnows Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (242 Excellents x 5) + (21 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 264 Ratings = 4.913
  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 Little Minnows Nursery is based on 22 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 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 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 40 number of registered child places is 8, which has been reached with 22 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 (4)

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Meet the Team (25)

Hayley

Hayley Clow

Job Title: Owner Joined: 2021

Hayley completed her Nursery Nurse Examining Board (NNEB) course at Weymouth College in 1993. Once qualified, her first position was as a private nanny to a family of teachers at Bryanston School near Blandford Forum. Here she cared for a newborn baby Alice and her brother Henry who was 4 (who would later play rugby for Scotland).


In 1996 a former RAF family, Sandra and Michael Slater opened Archway Nursery in the grounds of Bryanston. Hayley took the position of Baby Room Leader, helping to decorate and set up the nursery prior to its opening.
Sandra and Michael saw a passion in Hayley and told her that one day she would open her own nursery.


She has worked in childcare and education in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall ever since. 25 years later that dream has been realised with the opening of Little Minnows in Truro.


“Opening our own nursery has been a long-standing dream which began when we helped to set up Archway Nursery in Blandford in 1996. We are really excited to be opening Little Minnows Nursery in Truro.”

Tom

Tom Clow

Job Title: Director Joined: 2021

Hayley and Tom met whilst at school in Dorset and married in 1997. Hayley gained the NNEB qualification in 1993. She has worked in childcare and education in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall ever since.


Tom joined the Royal Marines in 1991 and retired in 2020. They have four children, one an A&E nurse, one in the Army and two in higher education.


Tom and Hayley opened Little Minnows Nursery in 2021. Tom is also a volunteer with Mevagissey Coastguard and a keen gig rower with St Goran Rowing Club.

Rachel

Rachel Dawes

Job Title: Manager Joined: 2022

I’ve been in childcare for 10 years and hold a Level 3 qualification in childcare and Team Leading and Supervising.


I moved to Cornwall from Brighton and Hove in 2021 where I worked in an independent, homely nursery setting for 8 years, in a senior role.


I live locally with my boyfriend and 3 cats. We love exploring Cornish beaches and spending time with friends and family.

Sophie

Sophie Baxter

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2023

To follow soon.

Sarah

Sarah Thomas

Job Title: Nursery Chef Joined: 2021

Hello, I am Sarah! I'm a Level 3 Practitioner and I have been in Childcare for 10 years. I have been in various roles throughout nurseries, working with all ages and abilities. I have been the Chef at Little Minnows since 2022


What I enjoy most about my job is seeing happy faces when the children have learnt something new and are proud of themselves.


In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and playing games! I enjoy being creative and decorating.

Kirsty

Kirsty Tucker

Job Title: Minnows Room Leader Joined: 2022

I have worked in childcare for more than 10 years, I am Level 3 qualified in “Children and Young People’s Workforce”.


I really enjoy working with children, watching them grow and develop in the nursery. I love setting up different activities, learning through messy play, always joining in and putting smiles on their faces.


In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and going for long walks.

Jemma

Jemma Pellow

Job Title: Tiddlers Room Leader Joined: 2023

To follow on.

Daisy

Daisy Finch

Job Title: Nippers Room Leader Joined: 2022

To follow soon.

Lauren

Lauren Alcock

Job Title: Schoolies Room Leader Joined: 2025

To follow soon

Carly

Carly Foord

Job Title: Full Time SENDCO Lead Joined: 2022

I am a passionate Early Years Educator with a great love for working with young children. My favourite part of my job is that no two days are ever the same. The unpredictable magic of children makes my work so much fun! I am dedicated to providing high standards of care, boosting self-esteem, facilitating independence, and creating meaningful learning opportunities. I have 15 years of experience working in Early Years Education. I have a bachelor's degree in Primary Education and Early Childhood Studies as well as earned many certifications in healthy eating for the under 5s, health and safety, safeguarding, infection control, and fire safety awareness.


My other great passion in life is my family and friends. I spend my time with my husband, two children, and our crazy cockapoo. I enjoy following my children’s passions and watching them flourish. For me, I love live music and watching a gig with friends. I also enjoy taking long dog walks in fields, woodlands or along one of our many beautiful beaches.

Chelsea

Chelsea Craig

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2024

To follow soon

Lara

Lara Hine

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner - Minnows Room Joined: 2022

To follow soon.

Charlotte

Charlotte Marples

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2022

To follow soon.

Amanda

Amanda Hobbs

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner - Tiddlers Room Joined: 2023

Hello, Amanda here. I have worked in childcare for 33 years. In London until I moved to Cornwall in 2003. I have worked in many roles within nursery settings. I love to see the children develop and grow, and I find their interest in the world to be amazing. I'm so happy to be a part of their journey.


My interests outside of the nursery are; meeting with friends, gardening, and growing flowers and vegetables. I love to be near the sea and combine this with my love of rambling and history.

Kelly

Kelly Thomas

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner - Nippers Room Joined: 2021

Hi, I’m Kelly and I’ve been working in childcare since 2014. I have a Level 3 qualification in “Children and Young People’s Workforce”.


I love working with children and making sure they get the most out of their time at nursery and are always having fun.


In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family and exploring new places.

Melissa

Melissa Moses

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2023

To follow on.

Lisa

Lisa

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner - Schoolies Room Joined: 2021

Hello there, I’m Lisa and have been working with children for eight years. My passion is connecting children with the natural world. In my free time I’m a Scout Leader and will often be seen in the woods, kayaking down the river or in the sea – I’m a year round wild swimmer!


I love the rewarding nature of seeing children be able to grow and learn while supporting them to build their own confidence.

Julia

Julia Rashleigh

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2023

To follow soon

Anjum

Anjum Shah

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner - Nippers Room Joined: 2023

To follow soon.

Cienna

Cienna Mallen

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2023

To follow on.

Becky

Becky Symons

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2024

To follow soon.

Debbe

Debbe Stephens

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2024

To follow soon.

Caitlin

Caitlin Cooper

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2025

To follow soon.

Leanne

Leanne Ducker

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2025

To follow soon.

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Sarah Cooper

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2025

To follow soon.

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