Testimonials

I have been blown away by the care, education, support and love shown by the whole team at Kirkgate. They wrap around families and know each individual child so well, responding to their specific interests and needs readily and with enthusiasm. An example of this is my son R’s love of engineering and science. The team have planned and delivered weekly science sessions which have been a highlight of each week for R. He is delighted to find the loose parts in the continuous provision both indoors and outdoors and I’ve seen first hand how careful questioning from practitioners when they join in R’s play, have helped him make connections and moved his learning on based on his interests and where he is now. They really know how to provide engaging learning opportunities that makes it so meaningful for Rory and his inquisitive mind! We spoke about some of the concerns we had about R’s social communication and Kirkgate applied for and were granted Element 2 funding which is used to provide close adult support to negotiate his way through interactions with other children. I am certain that having this level of support has resulted in R gradually engaging in collaborative play with the other children, and practitioners model interactions and the language to use which R has remembered and is using more frequently in social situations both in the setting and at home.In summary I would highly recommend Kirkgate as an Outstanding setting and know that moving R here will give him the very best start in his educational journey.

We have been connected with Kirkgate Childcare now for the past 5 years, my eldest attended and now my middle child is about to venture off to school from Kirkgate. My 12 week old baby is already on the list for when he is old enough, we wouldn’t want to send him anywhere else. The team at Kirkgate are amazing. The leadership that is present from Dawn and the experienced staff team in Kim, Sarah, Theresa and Holly, shapes the way that the newer members of staff are taught and the positive experience that the children receive. Kirkgate isn’t just any old nursery, they genuinely care about each and every child, they know them inside and out, the care they provide is personalised to every child who they support to nurture and grow. They limit numbers to ensure that this is not compromised. The atmosphere in nursery is calm, positive and fun. They spend the time to get to know the families, to celebrate the wonderful times and be supportive at the difficult ones. They prepare the children wonderfully for school. There aren’t any fancy apps telling us our child’s every move, time is spent with the children instead which is much more important. My boys have loved their time at Kirkgate and we are sad to be saying our goodbyes again, for now.Kirkgate isn’t just a nursery, it is a family and it has been a privilege to be a part of

We were very nervous (first time parents), who viewed three different nurseries and enrolled at a completely different one, before realising that Kirkgate was a much better fit for our little one.Dawn was exceptionally reassuring at the start of that journey and since then, É’s keyworkers (Ben and Kim she mentions often) have shown a fantastic level of skill, enthusiasm and patience towards her.The provision is fun and modern, whilst being ‘home-like’ and welcoming. É knows where everything is and is developing so much independence because of the opportunities given to her there. We love that she is outside most of the day!We have regular catch-up’s when picking up and collecting, as well as parent consultations.We are updated immediately about any issues and I feel very confident in their safeguarding generally.It is worth noting that before Kirkgate our first choice was to home school, I think this is testament to how highly we value the staff and what they provide.

We, as a family, have had a wonderful experience with Kirkgate Childcare since 2018, when our eldest first attended the setting. Our daughter now attends there and is due to start school in September. We are so pleased that we chose Kirkgate Childcare for them both, and that they have had such a positive introduction to learning.Every member of the team is warm, friendly, caring and professional and the level of care and respect they have for their role, each other and the children is evident.Dawn provides excellent leadership to her team and they always go above and beyond to organise activities for the children, from visits to the nursing home or allotments, to baking classes, music classes, Ben's science lessons and trips into the local community.I am proud to say my children (who are very different to one another) have thrived there. They have really taken their individual personalities into account and adapted their phonics, maths and other learning to suit their interests.Communication is always excellent and I am confident that they always take appropriate safeguarding steps. They are always keen to engage with the families and hear about life at home.They have also made huge efforts to ensure a smooth transaction to school and that the children are equipped with the skills they need (academic and social) to move onto their next journey.

We have been absolutely thrilled with choosing this nursery for our daughter.The team always go above and beyond and have helped our daughter to settle into nursery so quickly. E started nursery at 23 months and they quickly got to know her and her interests. They enhance provision areas based on the children’s interests and move the children’s learning forward by their skilful addition of selected resources to complement these interests and work on their next steps.E is very happy to come to nursery and always has so much to say when she comes home. She clearly enjoys coming and her speech is developing so much since starting in September.At pick up and drop off, the team are great at handing over any information, communication between the setting and families has been fantastic. They have shared pictures of E with us and it has been lovely to see her having so much fun whilst learning in Nursery. There is also a closed Facebook group for current parents that you can join and these posts are informative and support parents with their child’s development whilst also sharing photos and videos of the children at work! It is clear that a lot of thought goes into these and as parents, we find this a very valuable resource.We are so thrilled that we became part of the Kirkgate family!

Our daughter recently transferred from another nursery where she was fairly settled. We were a little anxious about moving her but the team have been faultless. They are like one big family and everyone of them cares for each child. They are so passionate and this really shows from their settling in process right through to when the children go to school. The things they manage to do with the children is incredible. I would highly recommend this nursery.

After a first nursery experience of struggling to settle, tears every time for months, and staff who seemed to not know my little boy at all, kirkgate has been an outstanding relief.My little boy settled in a matter of weeks, if that. He LOVES his key workers Holly and Kim, who have been absolutely amazing in getting to know him and his little character, and catering to him as an individual, and clearly genuinely care for and enjoy spending time with him. He has formed lovely bonds with them and everyone else at the nursery.The staff have numerous qualifications (such as speech and language), so it is reassuring if he ever needs help they are able to do so in lots of areas and are very knowledgeable.The free flow environment is perfect for him, he can paint, read stories, play with play doh, sand, water, pretend play and physical movement play as he chooses. It is also free flow outside and inside, and he absolutely loves outdoor play and so he has the autonomy to choose when he wants to go out.They eat with them at lunchtime which is great role modelling and send pack ups back with leftovers in so you know exactly what they've had (as well as snacks).His confidence and speech have come on within months, and he calls them his friends and is excited to go for every session.I honestly think this nursery is one of the best decisions we have made for his childhood and development, I'm so so happy we've found them.

My little girl has been here since the age of 2 and this is her final year. I really struggled to find the right place before being introduced to Kirkgate childcare. I really can not thank all the lovely ladies enough, especially Kim my daughters key person. The nursery has such a welcoming cosy environment and I’m so pleased with my daughters development since starting. We will be very emotional when it’s time to say goodbye in August for big school! Xx

Kirkgate Childcare is a very special place; and we are so privileged that our daughter has had the opportunity to benefit from the Early Years provision, in this outstanding nursery.The staff are so kind and gentle, with the children. They have such knowledge of the children, and show genuine curiosity in each child's interests, giving them each the opportunity to develop in their own way. They give children a voice, to share their thoughts and feelings. They appreciate that each child is unique, and celebrate that.When our daughter started at Kirkgate, she had spent important months of her development in lockdown; and there were some initial tears at starting nursery (from us both!) But I will never forget the compassion of the staff there, and especially my daughter's keyworker at the time. Even in these difficult times, they took so much time to settle her in, gently and with such care. Soon enough she was running in with a huge grin on her face; and I cannot believe how her confidence has grown.My daughter has made so many special memories, and I know there are many more to come. It is such an exciting place, with inspiring role models for children. I can't believe it sometimes when I hear the stories of what they've been doing today (baking bread, trips to the allotment, first aid courses, their own special 'cinema', playing on the 'bus' outside, putting on shows.....)As a parent, all you want is for your child to be happy and well looked after; and nowhere could do that better than Kirkgate.

I cannot recommend this nursery highly enough. Having had experience of 4 other nursery settings before we found them, the Kirkgate team blew me away with their outstanding and refreshing approach to childcare. Not only do the staff nurture and develop each individual child with great professionalism, offering them meaningful learning experiences, but they support them through their emotional and personal growth with care, patience and enthusiasm. The teams early years knowledge and practice is exceptional and the environment stimulating and engaging. The creativity of the activities and enriching visits fill the children with excitement and curiosity. With summer born twins, I was hesitant about their readiness to start school but the Kirkgate team prepared them so well that their transition was a breeze. They skipped trough the school gates knowing exactly what to expect and with a fantastic foundation of learning to springboard them into reception. I sobbed the day they left the setting because I couldn’t articulate to the staff just how grateful I was to them. All any parent wants is to feel that their child is being looked after with the same care and attention as they would get at home and the staff here go above and beyond at every level to see the children smile and grow – it is their passion not just their profession. Thank you

This nursery is truly excellent. All the staff are so skilled and nurturing and their approach to learning is spot on. My daughter loves going and frequently talks about all the members of staff and how they have been involved in her day, from the ‘together time’s, to the independent play and the days out cooking and exploring and digging at the allotment. Even lunch time with the team is a topic of discussion! The staff bring such different skill sets and personalities to support my daughter as she develops her own little character, building on her strengths and focussing on supporting her through any areas of struggle. My daughter first attended having been in leg braces for most of her first year, so she was a little delayed, weaker and apprehensive In regards to physical movement. The team set focussed sessions to aid her safe development and she excelled within weeks! They have also been exceptional in regards to dealing with her eczema and ever-changing skin care routines. They have recognised where she is demonstrating higher than her age in areas of learning and set challenges to keep her progressing in these areas too. In addition to all this and how much emotional care they give, what we love more than anything, is that they encourage my daughter to think for herself, explore her own questions and actions (and that of others) through play - which at such a young age is invaluable in leading to a very confident, balanced, empathetic and independent little girl. We cannot thank the team enough.

I would highly recommend Kirkgate Childcare. My little boy loves it at nursery, straight away from day one he settled and felt comfortable. All of the staff are in tune to the children’s individual needs, his key worker knows him so well and he loves the relationship he has with her. He is thriving, he is happy and he is encouraged to learn at his own pace. Will definitely be sending my youngest when he is old enough. Privileged to have such a wonderful nursery in the village