First Day Nursery (Hackney)

St Joseph's Hospice, Mare Street, London E8 4SA
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9.2 15 Reviews
  • First Day Nursery (Hackney), London
First Day Nursery Hackney offers high-quality holistic care.

Their staff are caring and nurturing and make sure that the children feel welcomed, valued and loved.

They support and enhance the children's learning, helping them to grow developmentally so they can reach their full potential in life.

Every child's strengths are identified and nurtured and each child is treated as a unique individual.

The nursery offers a home from home environment where children are encouraged to be independent and resilient.
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Type of Service

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

Owner

  • First Day Nursery Ltd
  • Privately Owned

Person in Charge

  • Shiraz Kothia (Director)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 26

Total Places for Children

  • 100

Age Range

  • from 0 years 2 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Available on request

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

First Day Nursery (Hackney) Reviews (15)

9.2

First Day Nursery (Hackney) has a Review Score of 9.2 (9.183) out of 10, based on 10 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time First Day Nursery (Hackney) has 15 reviews.

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Total of 15, showing 1-15
Review from R S (Mother of Child) published on 27 October 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot speak highly enough about this nursery. I was extremely nervous about sending my daughter to nursery but I need not have worried. She settled in brilliantly and a year on she has progressed so much and loves going to nursery every week. When I pick her up she speaks about her teachers the entire
way home. All of the staff are wonderful. You can tell that they genuinely care for the children and enjoy being around them. The food is nutritious and varied and gets prepared fresh on site daily. They go on cute little trips out and go outside to play every day. My daughter has learnt so much from being here. 10/10!
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and kind words about First Day Nursery. We're absolutely delighted to hear how well your daughter has settled in and how much she enjoys her time with us. It's lovely to know that she speaks about her teachers and experiences on the way home - that really means a lot to our team.
We take great pride in creating a caring, nurturing environment where children can thrive, explore, and learn every day. It's fantastic to hear that you've seen such progress and that she's enjoying everything from our activities and outdoor play to the freshly prepared meals.
Your support and trust mean so much to us. Thank you again for being such a valued part of our nursery community.
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Review from Andrea B (Father of Child) published on 27 October 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our child has been attending First Day Nursery for the past six months, and we've been very happy with the care he receives. The food is healthy and well-balanced, and he enjoys mealtimes. We particularly appreciate the little personal touches, like the card the staff made for grandad's birthday. Communication
is clear and consistent - we're kept informed about his day, activities, and progress, and the staff are always approachable whenever we have questions. Overall, we're very pleased and feel confident leaving our child in their care.
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your feedback. We're delighted to hear that your child is enjoying their time at First Day Nursery and that you're pleased with the care, communication, and attention we provide.
Our team works hard to create a nurturing and engaging environment for every child, so it's wonderful to know that the little touches - like the card for grandad's birthday - are appreciated. We're also glad to hear that our meal plans and updates help you feel informed and confident in our care.
Thank you again for your continued trust and support. We look forward to watching your child continue to develop and thrive with us.
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Review from V F (Mother of Child) published on 10 October 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our child has been attending First Day Nursery for four months and he has really blossomed since starting at nursery. The staff are all so friendly and I can see his confidence growing every week. We love talking to the staff at the end of each day and hearing about his day. One of the reasons we chose
this nursery was the outdoor spaces available, and we have been very happy to see that they go outside every day to play. Our child eats well at nursery, and tries a huge variety of foods. We love the app and the photo updates. It's the highlight of our day!
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful feedback. We're absolutely delighted to hear how much your child has blossomed since joining First Day Nursery. Watching children grow in confidence and curiosity is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do, and it's lovely to know that you've seen this in him already.We're so pleased that you enjoy chatting with our team at the end of each day-it's important to us that our families feel connected and informed. We're also glad to hear that the outdoor spaces and daily fresh air play have been such a positive part of your child's experience, as well as the variety of meals and new foods he's been willing to try!Thank you for your support, and for taking the time to share such encouraging feedback. It means a great deal to our team and motivates us to keep providing the very best care and learning environment for all our children.
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Review from Nassrin N (Mother of Child) published on 1 October 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are very happy with the nursery. Our daughter is now 18 months old and she has been going to the nursery for 5 months. She's loving it. The care takers are professional and also very kind. Our daughter bonded with them very quickly. The facilities are also great. Overall it's a very nice place!
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you for your positive feedback. We're really pleased with the experience and seeing how much your daughter is benefiting from the nursery.
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Review from C M (Mother of Child) published on 18 September 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Great nursery and staff. Our daughter loves it! Staff are attentive and caring and the facilities are great, particularly outdoor areas. very happy with our choice of nursery (had tried a different one in the area previously).
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We are thrilled to hear that your daughter enjoys her time with us and that you are happy with our nursery and staff. Our team is dedicated to providing attentive care and creating a nurturing environment for all our children, and it's great to know that our efforts are appreciated. We are particularly glad that you enjoy our outdoor areas, as we take pride in offering engaging and safe spaces for the children to explore and learn. Thank you once again for choosing us and for sharing your positive experience!
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Review from E S (Mother of Child) published on 29 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have both our children at First Day Nursery, and they are both very happy. The nursery has two outdoor spaces, which they go to every day, and the food is now cooked in-house which they seem to enjoy thoroughly! We love the app, which is used for good communication from the managers, and daily updates
from their key workers filled with photos and caring updates of what they have been up to. Sometimes they take trips to the local playground, and recently even visits to the children's museum. The nursery has a lot of love and care to give, especially in the last year. Highly recommend!
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you so much for your lovely review and for entrusting us with the care of both your children! We're thrilled to hear how happy they are at First Day Nursery and that you've been pleased with the outdoor spaces, the in-house meals, and the various activities we offer. It's wonderful to know that the app has been a valuable tool for communication, keeping you updated with photos and insights into your children's days. We're also glad the trips to the playground and the children's museum have been enjoyable experiences for them. Your kind words about the love and care we provide, especially over the past year, mean the world to us. Thank you for your recommendation, and we look forward to continuing to support and nurture your children as they grow!
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Review from A C (Mother of Child) published on 28 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We couldn't be happier with our son's nursery! The staff is simply amazing! Caring, sweet and supportive (to our son and us as well! Especially during settling in!). When he first started we had just had a very bad experience with another nursery and the first day nursery really helped me and my son.
I didn't think back then that I would have been able to trust another place but I was wrong! I'll never thank them enough for helping us in this delicate transition/moment of my and my son's life!
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience with us. We're incredibly grateful that you chose First Day Nursery after such a difficult time. It means a lot to hear that our caring and supportive staff were able to help you and your son during that delicate transition. We understand how important trust is, especially in the early stages, and we're so pleased that we could provide the reassurance and care your family needed. Knowing that we've made a positive impact on both of your lives is truly rewarding. We're honoured to have been part of your son's journey, and your appreciation warms our hearts. If there's anything more we can do, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you again for your trust and for allowing us to be part of this special time.
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Review from Sara C (Mother of Child) published on 28 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
First-day nursery has been the perfect place for our son, from baby room to preschool. During his time there he's built strong relationships with his peers and staff who have gone above and beyond to help us raise and educate our son. You've truly cared for him as an extension of our family. We're very
happy to have found such a great nursery at such an important developing stage, we will forever be thankful for all that you've done for him. We will miss you. Thank you so much once again.
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you so much for your beautiful words. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch your son grow and thrive from the baby room through to preschool. We are deeply honoured to have been a part of his early years and to have earned your trust as an extension of your family. The relationships he's built here and the progress he's made mean just as much to us as they do to you. We'll miss having him around, but we're excited for the bright future ahead of him. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this important stage in his life. Your appreciation means the world to us, and we will always cherish the memories we've made together.
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Review from Hannah B (Mother of Child) published on 28 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This nursery truly embodies a holistic approach to childcare, ensuring that every aspect of my child's development is nurtured. The staff are incredibly caring and professional, always going above and beyond to create a warm, welcoming environment where children feel safe and valued.


It's clear that

the team at First Day Nursery is passionate about what they do, taking the time to understand each child's unique needs and fostering their growth in a supportive and encouraging way. I couldn't be happier with the care my 2-year-old daughter receives here and I highly recommend First Day Nursery to any parent looking for a nurturing and child-centered childcare environment.
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you so much for your heartfelt review. We're thrilled to hear that you've had such a positive experience at First Day Nursery. It means the world to us that our holistic approach and the dedication of our team have made a difference in your child's development. We take great pride in creating a warm and welcoming environment, and we're so glad that you and your daughter feel safe and valued here. Your kind words inspire us to continue our efforts in providing the best possible care for every child. We're grateful for your recommendation and are honoured to be a part of your daughter's early years. If there's ever anything more we can do to support her growth, please don't hesitate to let us know.
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Review from Heather K (Mother of Child) published on 27 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A wonderful nursery with fantastic opportunities for the children. Some highlights include regular excursions to local libraries, museums, shops, and parks. Visiting the Hospice (which the nursery shares the grounds of) and spending time with the elderly patients there, doing arts and crafts together;
beautiful gardens with a fish pond, a forest school area as well as a play area with lots of outdoor toys; creative and imaginative activities for the children to participate in every day... I could go on.
The staff are wonderful and extremely caring, they really go above and beyond to make the children feel happy and the parents feel comfortable leaving their children there. It's lovely to get daily diaries with photos of the children each day. No complaints!
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you for your wonderful feedback, it's been a great seeing your child develop at our nursery, appreciate the feedback on our regular excursions and staff.
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Review from Emily J (Mother of Child) published on 5 September 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has been at First Day Nursery for over a year and started when she had just turned 1. She attends four days a week.
We're really happy with the nursery and know our daughter is cared for, well-fed, naps well and has lots of fun! The staff are all great and we receive daily updates about
what the children have been doing both in person at the end-of-day pick-up, as well as via an app the nursery uses to keep in touch with parents.
Each week children will be introduced to a particular theme, for example, the toddler room recently spent a week learning about the seasons and doing lots of creative activities involving painting/drawing etc. Sometimes the children bring their creations home at the end of the day which is lovely.
The children regularly use the outdoor play areas which are on-site and sometimes even go on trips to local playgrounds.
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you for taking the time to provide this positive feedback. Happy to hear your child is well cared for, well-fed and having lots of fun!
Appreciate you recognise the creative activities including painting/drawings and regular use of our outdoor play areas in addition to trips to local playgrounds.
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Review from Michele G (Father of Child) published on 5 September 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to First Day Nursery for the incredible care and warmth they've extended to our son. From the age of 8 months to 15 months, this nursery provided him with a nurturing environment that consistently went beyond our expectations. Every day, we witnessed new milestones and
learning experiences in his life, a true testament to the team's dedication and love.
The staff's commitment to recognizing individual needs and the tailored approach to child growth is what truly made a difference. As circumstances lead us elsewhere, it's challenging to step away from such a positive space. The memories and valuable lessons our son has gained during his time at First Day will always be cherished. Our sincerest appreciation to the entire team for this invaluable chapter in our son's life.
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you for recognising the commitment and efforts of our staff in enabling new milestones for your child. We will also cherish the precious moments he was with us and wish you all the best for the future.
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Review from Mahmuda B (Mother of Child) published on 30 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I am very happy with the First Day Nursery; the care, love and encouragement this nursery provides for children to explore and develop is fantastic. Staff members are easy to approach and provide a huge range of different activities.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone for their children’s
best interest.
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Review from Sharon R (Mother of Child) published on 22 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has been going to First Day Nursery since September 2022 and we've been super pleased with our experience so far! The staff is excellent, friendly, always greeting us and the children with a big smile. They know all the children's names even if they aren't directly involved with them which
makes the whole experience even more personable. The facilities are just what the kids need and the outdoor spaces with the fish pond are a wonderful addition for those sunny days.
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you for your lovely feedback, delighted that you're super pleased with your experience so far. It is also pleasing to hear your excellent views on our staff and our facilities. Once again thank you for taking the time in providing this wonderful feedback.
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Review from J L (Mother of Child) published on 18 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has had a lovely time in this nursery and preschool. She has made some wonderful friends. She was very well looked after and entertained in the nursery with regular outside time and fun inside playing, but the preschool experience has been outstanding. She has done yoga, learned some Spanish
and German, gone on park visits and visits to the hospice, learned to write her name and recognise her numbers and letters and been thoroughly prepared for school. The staff are universally kind and thoughtful and have really got to know the children. Our daughter is well prepared for school, and we are really going to miss First Day.
Reply from Shiraz Kothia, Director at First Day Nursery (Hackney)Thank you for sharing your positive experience at First Day Nursery. I'm delighted to learn that your child is prepared for the next stride in her educational journey. It has been an enriching experience having you and your family as valued members of the First Day Nursery community. I extend my best wishes to you all as you embark on the road ahead.
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Current Review Score: 9.2 (9.183)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.2 (9.183) out of 10 for First Day Nursery (Hackney) 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 10 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.3 out of 5 from 10 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 4.933 for First Day Nursery (Hackney) is calculated as follows: ( (111 Excellents x 5) + (8 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 119 Ratings = 4.933
  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 4.25 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for First Day Nursery (Hackney) is based on 10 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 = 3.75
    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 100 number of registered child places is 20. 10 Positive Reviews ÷ 20 = 0.5
  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.

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Frequently Asked Questions about First Day Nursery (Hackney)

What is the Age Range of Children that First Day Nursery (Hackney) accepts?

First Day Nursery (Hackney) accepts Children aged from 0 years 2 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is First Day Nursery (Hackney) Open?

First Day Nursery (Hackney) is open: Monday 08:00-18:00, Tuesday 08:00-18:00, Wednesday 08:00-18:00, Thursday 08:00-18:00, Friday 08:00-18:00.

How many Children does First Day Nursery (Hackney) have capacity for?

First Day Nursery (Hackney) has capacity for a total of 100 Children.

How far is First Day Nursery (Hackney) to the centre of London?

4.7 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 Day Nursery (Hackney) to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. First Day Nursery (Hackney) has an Enhanced Service - more info.