Submit a Review for Cranbrook Independent Nursery & Pre-School - Ivy Cottage
Ivy Cottage, Balcombe Road, Horley, RH6 9SW
View full details of Cranbrook Independent Nursery & Pre-School - Ivy CottageLatest Reviews for Cranbrook Independent Nursery & Pre-School - Ivy Cottage
24 February 2026
My daughter has been attending since September and, although she had a bit of a shaky start and didn't always want to go in at first, the staff were absolutely amazing. They kept me regularly updated on how she was getting on and went above and beyond to make her feel comfortable and supported while
she settled in.
Now she absolutely loves going, asks to see her friends, and seems so happy and confident there. She is truly thriving, and her speech and confidence have come on so well since she started. We're really grateful for the care, patience and reassurance the team have shown - it's made such a difference for both of us.
13 February 2026
Our kids have been at the nursery for over two years. Both have grown so much in that time and we are forever greatful for the young people they have grown into with the support of everyone at Ivy Cottage. Both Rome and Amelia, Love the staff, enjoy nursery and both really happy and have been very
well supported by the team there. We are very proud of the little people they have turned into and the continued support we have had.
11 February 2026
I am so pleased we found this nursery! The staff are so kind and caring and my little boy loves the nursery. We feel he is in safe hands and learning so much from his days at nursery! Jodie and her team should be so proud of all the magic they make for the children of all ages and the positive
difference they are making.
03 February 2026
I contacted Ivy Cottage after having a terrible experience with another nursery and they have been incredible. As well as being so warm and loving with my little boy they were also very welcoming and understanding about how anxious I was feeling. All the staff appear to have a genuine love for what
they do and they speak about my son with the same pride and care that I speak about him, which makes me feel at ease. I look forward to hearing all the fun things he has done at nursery that day either on the app or at the handover with his key-worker. Jodie, the nursery manager, and Natasha, the deputy manager are also very welcoming and know every single child who attends their nursery. I couldn't be happier with our choice of nursery.
09 January 2026
We are extremely grateful to Ivy Cottage Nursery for the wonderful care and support they have shown our children. From the very beginning, the settling-in process was handled with such care, patience, and professionalism, which made a big difference for our family.
Our children moved from another
Cranbrook nursery to Ivy Cottage, and thanks to Jodie, the transition was absolutely seamless. Jodie was incredibly helpful, supportive, and reassuring throughout the process, keeping us well informed and ensuring everything was in place. Her kindness and understanding truly put us at ease.
The staff at Ivy Cottage are all so welcoming, friendly, and attentive. They created a warm and nurturing environment where our children felt safe, happy, and comfortable from day one. It was clear how much effort the team put into making the children feel settled and valued, and that meant so much to us as parents.
We couldn't be happier with our experience so far and would highly recommend Ivy Cottage Nur
22 December 2025
I visited 5 nurseries within Crawley before making my decision. Every nursery had very similar answers to all of my questions & similar facilities which makes it difficult to make a decision..so I had to go off how the nursery made me feel. I got such a good vibe from Ivy Cottage & from Jodie the
nursery manager. I can honestly say that I absolutely made the right decision with Ivy Cottage. The guys that work there are the most welcoming & warm bunch of lovely people. My Daughter had some issues with drop off to start with & being very upset & they were so supportive with this. She also struggled a bit with eating & they came up with ideas to help her eating improve.
Every day when I drop her off & pick her up she is so happy now, smiling at all the staff. Her learning has come on leaps & bounds. They do so many different activities there& are always thinking of ways to include parents & Grandparents with their events. Thank you Ivy Cottage
22 December 2025
My daughter only started Ivy cottage on the 11th November and she has settled into cranbrook nursery so well.
All the nursery staff have been so welcoming I really can't fault them also the amazing manager Jodie Day is definitely a credit to Ivy cottage and I really can't wait to watch my
daughters journey with cranbrook Ivy cottage!
07 November 2025
Ivy Cottage has been a wonderful nursery for my child who has been attending there for nearly 2 years (since Jan 2024). The manager is exceptional, she's always welcoming and communicates well. The whole team is great, and our child is happy and truly blossoming. We have also enrolled our 5 month
old who will be starting in the baby room next year. Couldn't ask for more!
15 September 2025
Both of my children have attended Ivy Cottage, and my youngest is still enrolled there. I can't recommend this nursery highly enough. The care and attention that the manager and her team give to the children is exceptional. The chef prepares delicious and nutritious meals, my son often goes back for
seconds! The manager and the staff also organise educational outings, which have been fantastic. I've always felt supported by the manager, and both of my children adore the environment and the staff.
10 April 2025
Our daughter started in January this year, we are extremely happy with Ivy Cottage and the care my daughter receives. She is well looked after, and it's clear that the staff genuinely care about her well-being. Her key worker has formed a wonderful bond with her, which gives me peace of mind knowing
she's in such capable hands. I also really appreciate the regular updates, keeping me informed about her progress and daily activities. The nursery management also hosts lots of events, which makes me feel involved and connected. Overall, I couldn't be happier with the experience and would highly recommend.
28 March 2025
My daughter started in the baby room in December. I chose cranbrook because I attended the nurseries as a child myself many years ago and trust their reputation. The manager is an incredible manager she is attentive, listens to concerns and has played an active role in reassuring myself and ensuring
my daughter is settled at the Nursery. All three girls in the baby room are incredible. I watch my daughter's face light up when she sees them however have an extra appreciation for one staff member in particular. She built a strong bond with my daughter focusing on building her confidence and made sure to update me daily on how she's doing. I have no concerns that my daughters confidence will continue to grow as she learns and plays at the Nursery.
22 August 2024
I had looked around at a few Nurseries in the area and although I was aware of some previous issues with this one I immediately got a great feeling over the others I had seen. I think the biggest sway was the outside space my son loves being outdoors so this was a massive thumbs up.
The Manager
answered all our questions as she could see I was an anxious mum lots of reassurance and answered all my questions.
My little one then started in January 2024 and can honestly say the difference in him he has more confidence and is beginning to learn and understand what is great is they send you updates and pictures on the App and I can do the same so they can see what he learns and does at home too.
The Manager is a great asset to the Nursery she cares not just for the children but for the parents too which makes a massive difference.
The Team there not just my little one Key worker but all the team know me and my Son.
19 August 2024
We love everything about Ivy Cottage. The staff are fantastic and show so much enthusiasm towards the children and their learning.
The manager is so passionate and brilliant. She is so approachable and is constantly improving the nursery to be the very best.
We feel our daughter is safe, and well
cared for and it shows, as she's so happy to go there.
The garden is amazing and the onsite forest school is a huge bonus.
Would highly recommend it!
15 March 2024
My son started in January and I have been so impressed with the care and attention he has received. I was very aware that the nursery had received some bad press in the past but also knew that the new manager had moved from my daughter's previous nursery. She is an incredible manager who always has
the children's care and development at the heart of everything that she does. Every day my son is at nursery I get updates with pictures of what he has been exploring that day and how they have helped to support him in his development. Although activities are set up for all children, it has been clear that they take the time to help my son explore the things he is interested in and learn new things as he goes. I have had amazing communication each day from his Keyworker who has clearly got to know him well. I love that he already gets to explore the outdoor area (which is huge) and partnership with parents is clear with lovely activities set up such as Mother's Day pottery painting!
01 June 2023
Absolutely shocking nursery. Poor management and poorly run with very little organisation and zero child development leading to chaos on a daily basis amongst the children. Poor hygiene throughout the premises leading to a high risk of infection among the children. This nursery happily took our
money and knowingly put our children's safety at risk on a daily basis leading to them being eventually harmed due to constant low staffing issues which they continuously ignored and kept secret to parents. A high price for the area for what they offer parents providing extremely poor value for money. Don't be fooled by what they offer on day one. They advertise lovely home-cooked meals by a qualified chef but in reality, what they actually provided was frozen fish fingers and a couple of breadsticks and crackers by a member of staff with no qualifications. I wouldn't recommend this nursery to any parent that cares about their child and wants the best for their child's development.
04 April 2023
After an inadequate Ofsted rating the nursery withdrew placement on over 30 4-year-olds with immediate effect including my son because they did not meet the requirements of qualified staff.
I believe this age group was chosen as they are less profitable due to leaving the setting in September. This
proves that the company do not care about the welfare of my child and only wants your money.
The lovely staff are let down by those in power who make these shocking decisions to continue to accept children knowing that they are in breach of Ofsted requirements.
26 June 2018
Our daughter's transition into the toddler group went remarkably well, very soon after starting she was happy to go to the staff, she loved it.
She would come home with signs of a great day of play and having eaten a very good couple of meals. She really flourished and we noticed a huge
advancement in her development since starting. There have been a few problems with receiving newsletters but I.T can be a bit of a tricky issue. We would always recommend Cranbrook Independent Nursery & Pre-School - Ivy Cottage, their outdoor play areas are second to none, way above most nurseries we visited.
20 September 2016
I have two children, both of whom have attended or are attending Ivy Cottage. Both of them are self-confident and well-mannered children who are inquisitive about the world around them, and this is supported and fostered by the childcare provided at Ivy Cottage. The staff are polite, professional,
and work with parents to provide as flexible an approach to childcare as is possible in an environment with multiple children and needs. The manager communicates regularly with parents regarding news at the nursery and provides information about what topics are being covered within the setting and how parents at home can get involved. All in all, it's a lovely environment for the kids and I am happy to leave mine under the careful supervision of the staff.
Latest Reviews for Cranbrook Independent Nursery & Pre-School - Ivy Cottage
24 February 2026
My daughter has been attending since September and, although she had a bit of a shaky start and didn't always want to go in at first, the staff were absolutely amazing. They kept me regularly updated on how she was getting on and went above and beyond to make her feel comfortable and supported while
she settled in.
Now she absolutely loves going, asks to see her friends, and seems so happy and confident there. She is truly thriving, and her speech and confidence have come on so well since she started. We're really grateful for the care, patience and reassurance the team have shown - it's made such a difference for both of us.
13 February 2026
Our kids have been at the nursery for over two years. Both have grown so much in that time and we are forever greatful for the young people they have grown into with the support of everyone at Ivy Cottage. Both Rome and Amelia, Love the staff, enjoy nursery and both really happy and have been very
well supported by the team there. We are very proud of the little people they have turned into and the continued support we have had.
11 February 2026
I am so pleased we found this nursery! The staff are so kind and caring and my little boy loves the nursery. We feel he is in safe hands and learning so much from his days at nursery! Jodie and her team should be so proud of all the magic they make for the children of all ages and the positive
difference they are making.
03 February 2026
I contacted Ivy Cottage after having a terrible experience with another nursery and they have been incredible. As well as being so warm and loving with my little boy they were also very welcoming and understanding about how anxious I was feeling. All the staff appear to have a genuine love for what
they do and they speak about my son with the same pride and care that I speak about him, which makes me feel at ease. I look forward to hearing all the fun things he has done at nursery that day either on the app or at the handover with his key-worker. Jodie, the nursery manager, and Natasha, the deputy manager are also very welcoming and know every single child who attends their nursery. I couldn't be happier with our choice of nursery.
09 January 2026
We are extremely grateful to Ivy Cottage Nursery for the wonderful care and support they have shown our children. From the very beginning, the settling-in process was handled with such care, patience, and professionalism, which made a big difference for our family.
Our children moved from another
Cranbrook nursery to Ivy Cottage, and thanks to Jodie, the transition was absolutely seamless. Jodie was incredibly helpful, supportive, and reassuring throughout the process, keeping us well informed and ensuring everything was in place. Her kindness and understanding truly put us at ease.
The staff at Ivy Cottage are all so welcoming, friendly, and attentive. They created a warm and nurturing environment where our children felt safe, happy, and comfortable from day one. It was clear how much effort the team put into making the children feel settled and valued, and that meant so much to us as parents.
We couldn't be happier with our experience so far and would highly recommend Ivy Cottage Nur
22 December 2025
I visited 5 nurseries within Crawley before making my decision. Every nursery had very similar answers to all of my questions & similar facilities which makes it difficult to make a decision..so I had to go off how the nursery made me feel. I got such a good vibe from Ivy Cottage & from Jodie the
nursery manager. I can honestly say that I absolutely made the right decision with Ivy Cottage. The guys that work there are the most welcoming & warm bunch of lovely people. My Daughter had some issues with drop off to start with & being very upset & they were so supportive with this. She also struggled a bit with eating & they came up with ideas to help her eating improve.
Every day when I drop her off & pick her up she is so happy now, smiling at all the staff. Her learning has come on leaps & bounds. They do so many different activities there& are always thinking of ways to include parents & Grandparents with their events. Thank you Ivy Cottage
22 December 2025
My daughter only started Ivy cottage on the 11th November and she has settled into cranbrook nursery so well.
All the nursery staff have been so welcoming I really can't fault them also the amazing manager Jodie Day is definitely a credit to Ivy cottage and I really can't wait to watch my
daughters journey with cranbrook Ivy cottage!
07 November 2025
Ivy Cottage has been a wonderful nursery for my child who has been attending there for nearly 2 years (since Jan 2024). The manager is exceptional, she's always welcoming and communicates well. The whole team is great, and our child is happy and truly blossoming. We have also enrolled our 5 month
old who will be starting in the baby room next year. Couldn't ask for more!
15 September 2025
Both of my children have attended Ivy Cottage, and my youngest is still enrolled there. I can't recommend this nursery highly enough. The care and attention that the manager and her team give to the children is exceptional. The chef prepares delicious and nutritious meals, my son often goes back for
seconds! The manager and the staff also organise educational outings, which have been fantastic. I've always felt supported by the manager, and both of my children adore the environment and the staff.
10 April 2025
Our daughter started in January this year, we are extremely happy with Ivy Cottage and the care my daughter receives. She is well looked after, and it's clear that the staff genuinely care about her well-being. Her key worker has formed a wonderful bond with her, which gives me peace of mind knowing
she's in such capable hands. I also really appreciate the regular updates, keeping me informed about her progress and daily activities. The nursery management also hosts lots of events, which makes me feel involved and connected. Overall, I couldn't be happier with the experience and would highly recommend.
28 March 2025
My daughter started in the baby room in December. I chose cranbrook because I attended the nurseries as a child myself many years ago and trust their reputation. The manager is an incredible manager she is attentive, listens to concerns and has played an active role in reassuring myself and ensuring
my daughter is settled at the Nursery. All three girls in the baby room are incredible. I watch my daughter's face light up when she sees them however have an extra appreciation for one staff member in particular. She built a strong bond with my daughter focusing on building her confidence and made sure to update me daily on how she's doing. I have no concerns that my daughters confidence will continue to grow as she learns and plays at the Nursery.
22 August 2024
I had looked around at a few Nurseries in the area and although I was aware of some previous issues with this one I immediately got a great feeling over the others I had seen. I think the biggest sway was the outside space my son loves being outdoors so this was a massive thumbs up.
The Manager
answered all our questions as she could see I was an anxious mum lots of reassurance and answered all my questions.
My little one then started in January 2024 and can honestly say the difference in him he has more confidence and is beginning to learn and understand what is great is they send you updates and pictures on the App and I can do the same so they can see what he learns and does at home too.
The Manager is a great asset to the Nursery she cares not just for the children but for the parents too which makes a massive difference.
The Team there not just my little one Key worker but all the team know me and my Son.
19 August 2024
We love everything about Ivy Cottage. The staff are fantastic and show so much enthusiasm towards the children and their learning.
The manager is so passionate and brilliant. She is so approachable and is constantly improving the nursery to be the very best.
We feel our daughter is safe, and well
cared for and it shows, as she's so happy to go there.
The garden is amazing and the onsite forest school is a huge bonus.
Would highly recommend it!
15 March 2024
My son started in January and I have been so impressed with the care and attention he has received. I was very aware that the nursery had received some bad press in the past but also knew that the new manager had moved from my daughter's previous nursery. She is an incredible manager who always has
the children's care and development at the heart of everything that she does. Every day my son is at nursery I get updates with pictures of what he has been exploring that day and how they have helped to support him in his development. Although activities are set up for all children, it has been clear that they take the time to help my son explore the things he is interested in and learn new things as he goes. I have had amazing communication each day from his Keyworker who has clearly got to know him well. I love that he already gets to explore the outdoor area (which is huge) and partnership with parents is clear with lovely activities set up such as Mother's Day pottery painting!
01 June 2023
Absolutely shocking nursery. Poor management and poorly run with very little organisation and zero child development leading to chaos on a daily basis amongst the children. Poor hygiene throughout the premises leading to a high risk of infection among the children. This nursery happily took our
money and knowingly put our children's safety at risk on a daily basis leading to them being eventually harmed due to constant low staffing issues which they continuously ignored and kept secret to parents. A high price for the area for what they offer parents providing extremely poor value for money. Don't be fooled by what they offer on day one. They advertise lovely home-cooked meals by a qualified chef but in reality, what they actually provided was frozen fish fingers and a couple of breadsticks and crackers by a member of staff with no qualifications. I wouldn't recommend this nursery to any parent that cares about their child and wants the best for their child's development.
04 April 2023
After an inadequate Ofsted rating the nursery withdrew placement on over 30 4-year-olds with immediate effect including my son because they did not meet the requirements of qualified staff.
I believe this age group was chosen as they are less profitable due to leaving the setting in September. This
proves that the company do not care about the welfare of my child and only wants your money.
The lovely staff are let down by those in power who make these shocking decisions to continue to accept children knowing that they are in breach of Ofsted requirements.
26 June 2018
Our daughter's transition into the toddler group went remarkably well, very soon after starting she was happy to go to the staff, she loved it.
She would come home with signs of a great day of play and having eaten a very good couple of meals. She really flourished and we noticed a huge
advancement in her development since starting. There have been a few problems with receiving newsletters but I.T can be a bit of a tricky issue. We would always recommend Cranbrook Independent Nursery & Pre-School - Ivy Cottage, their outdoor play areas are second to none, way above most nurseries we visited.
20 September 2016
I have two children, both of whom have attended or are attending Ivy Cottage. Both of them are self-confident and well-mannered children who are inquisitive about the world around them, and this is supported and fostered by the childcare provided at Ivy Cottage. The staff are polite, professional,
and work with parents to provide as flexible an approach to childcare as is possible in an environment with multiple children and needs. The manager communicates regularly with parents regarding news at the nursery and provides information about what topics are being covered within the setting and how parents at home can get involved. All in all, it's a lovely environment for the kids and I am happy to leave mine under the careful supervision of the staff.