First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead

Denmead Junior School, Bere Road, Denmead, Waterlooville PO7 6PH
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10 12 Reviews
  • First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead, Waterlooville
First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead is on the same site as Denmead Junior School. The brand new nursery caters for children and 6 months to 5 years in a homely, free-flow, family-inspired environment.

The nursery can accommodate up to 35 children, including 9 babies, 10 toddlers and 16 preschoolers.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Amy Ambrose (Manager)

Total Places for Children

  • 35

Age Range

  • from 0 years 6 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Prices start from £43.00 per half day session to £79.00 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 07:30-18:00
    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

First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead Reviews (12)

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First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead has a Review Score of 10 (9.965) out of 10, based on 12 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead has 12 reviews.

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Review from Stacey W (Mother of Child) published on 12 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at the Denmead setting since they opened and absolutely loves it, as do I. Staff are all friendly and really give off that family vibe, so much so that my daughter calls for some of the staff when she is upset at home. I love getting the weekly updates & pictures, and the outings
they've started doing are so sweet, something for the kids to get extra excited for. They're always doing such creative activities anyway. I'm a big fan of mixed age children in one room, I really feel like that progresses my child's development...learning from her older friends, and learning how to be careful with her younger friends.
My daughter almost runs through the doors without even saying bye to me some days because she can't wait to get in there and get involved in whatever they're doing that day.
Cannot reccomend them enough, I know my daughter is in great hands there, and the amount of fun she has makes me feel less guilty about working.
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Review from D F (Mother of Child) published on 11 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy has been going to First Friends at Denmead since June. He absolutely loves his 3 days a week. When we ask him are you going to nursery today he says yes and does a little happy dance - what more could you want.
He loves all the teachers and gets excited to see them & see what exciting
activities they have planned. His development has come on leaps and bounds and that's because of the time and care they put into each child. Thank you first friends
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Review from Isabella M (Mother of Child) published on 10 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I can not thank you enough to the staff of Denmead first friends for being so caring and understanding with my daughter recently my daughter has not been so much herself recently and the staff have made her feel so much more comfortable and spending time with her for example when she is sitting by
herself in book corner a member of staff will sit with her to make her still feel like she is apart of the group. Makes me as a mother feel so at ease that she isn't alone and they always keep me up to date with what's going on so grateful to the staff.
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Review from C H (Mother of Child) published on 8 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has been at first friends now since September and her development and engagement since starting has been a delight to see and this is all down to the wonderful and caring staff / key workers at the Nursery. She is so excited to go every day and seeing her so comfortable and happy is all
any parent wants to see. The activities are fantastic and I love to see all the photo updates as well. Thank you so much First Friends :)
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Review from J R (Mother of Child) published on 3 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The team at First Friends have been a brilliant support for our son as he has settled into nursery life. We are pleased to see regular photos and updates with all the fun and adventures he is having! It's been lovely to see him grow in confidence and build friendships as he has become familiar with
the staff and other children.
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Review from Elissa L (Mother of Child) published on 3 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We couldn't be more impressed with first friends.
The activities are brilliant, different each day and child centred.
The staff are warm and welcoming.
I would recommend first friends 100%
We have found the managers easy to talk too and always very helpful.
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Review from Megan P (Mother of Child) published on 14 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I just wanted to say a big thank for helping my boys settle so well. You offer so much at your nursery. I know both are in good and safe hands. The activities and outdoor play area is amazing and the boys are thriving at this setting. Thank you for all the lovely healthy meals that are provided. Amazing
nursery, we couldn't be happier!
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Review from Libby S (Mother of Child) published on 23 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our little one has been at First Friends for 2 weeks and I cannot believe the difference in his behaviour since moving him from another nursery. He is always super happy to go in and we cannot thank the team enough for welcoming us to this lovely place. He tells us all the time how much of a fun day
he has had. The best decision we have made for him and us. Thank you all.
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Review from J H (Father of Child) published on 12 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All Staff at the Nursery are fantastic and are always happy to help with anything.
Our Daughter is showing amazing progress with her learning since moving her from another nursery. We are very happy with the new nursery in Denmead
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Review from L C (Mother of Child) published on 8 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Even though my daughter has only been at Denmead for a month and she absolutely loves it. She runs in every day and on some days without a 'goodbye' for mummy or daddy. The care and warmth she receives have already made such a difference in her confidence. I'm so grateful to the manager and her colleagues
for creating such a nurturing and fun environment. They are all so amazing!
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Review from Laura M (Mother of Child) published on 3 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter attends Denmead for friends. I love it, its a beautiful setting and she is so happy. The staff especially The Manager and her colleague are so lovely, caring and loving which is all I want. Our daughter is always happy to see them and I think all the staff work so hard! I wouldn't want her
to be anywhere else right now. The staff make it!
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Review from B B (Mother of Child) published on 2 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
First friends Denmead has been the perfect setting in the area for our daughter. All members of staff adhere to professional practices, and discussions on allergies do not phase them. The children enjoy a good range of activities and outdoor play, which is seen in regular updates on the app and fb page.
I'm very happy with the progress in learning my daughter is receiving and happy faces all round! Thank you for creating such a wonderful environment. Superstars!!
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.965)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.965) out of 10 for First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 12 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 12 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 4.965 for First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead is calculated as follows: ( (140 Excellents x 5) + (3 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 144 Ratings = 4.965
  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 First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead is based on 12 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 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 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 35 number of registered child places is 7, which has been reached with 12 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 (0)

Meet the Team (1)

Amy

Amy Ambrose

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2025

Amy has worked with children since 1999, starting out as a SEN support practitioner before moving into management. She became a Nursery Manager and led a fantastic team of 14 staff while caring for 36 wonderful children – a role she absolutely loved and stayed in until 2020.


After the nursery sadly closed, she continued in management roles for another five years and even had the amazing experience of helping to set up a brand-new nursery from scratch.


Outside of work, she's a big fan of yoga and has started Couch to 5K and gets to the gym when she can. She also loves spending time with my family… and her five cats!

Frequently Asked Questions about First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead

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

First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead accepts Children aged from 0 years 6 months to 5 years 0 months.

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

First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead 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 First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead have capacity for?

First Friends Day Nursery - Denmead has capacity for a total of 35 Children.

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

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