Business Details
42 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare and Preschool Education in Chester
Chester Day Nursery has been providing high-quality childcare in Chester since 1984. Our dedicated team of NVQ-qualified professionals creates a nurturing environment where children aged 0-11 develop essential life skills through structured play and outdoor learning. With over 37 years of experience, we combine traditional values with modern educational practices, offering purpose-built facilities including woodland classrooms and a petting farm. Our staff hold specialist qualifications in early years education and paediatric first aid, ensuring children receive both academic and personal development support. We maintain strong community ties through partnerships with local schools and organisations, while our Forest School accreditation demonstrates our commitment to innovative outdoor education.The nursery's family-owned ethos ensures a homely atmosphere where every child receives individual attention, supported by daily communication with parents. Our comprehensive approach includes tailored transition programmes for school readiness, weekly swimming lessons, and nutritionist-approved meals prepared on-site. This combination of experience, qualified staff, and purpose-designed spaces makes us a trusted choice for families across Chester and surrounding areas.
Services
Baby Room
Toddler Room
Pre School
After School Club
Holiday Club
Forest School
Swimming Lessons
Nutrition Programme
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- Established over 37 years with proven childcare expertise
- Fully qualified NVQ and Paediatric First Aid trained staff
- Purpose-built facilities with woodland learning environments
- Daily communication with parents about child's progress
- Forest School accredited outdoor education programme
Associations and certifications
- Forest School Association
What people say
Caring staff
Home from home
Fantastic nursery
Lovely environment
Development progress
Services
Baby Room
Our Baby Owls room provides specialist care for infants aged 0-2 years with dedicated key workers and tailored development activities. The environment features sensory-stimulating resources and natural materials to support motor skill development, while qualified staff implement flexible routines that adapt to each child's needs. Parents receive regular updates about their baby's progress and milestones.
Forest School
Accredited Forest School programme offering regular outdoor education in our purpose-built woodland area. Children engage in nature-based activities that develop environmental awareness and practical skills, supported by Level 3 qualified practitioners. The curriculum includes construction projects, bug hunting, and weather-based learning experiences that promote resilience and teamwork.
Pre School
Busy Bees preschool room prepares children aged 3-5 for primary school with structured learning aligned to Early Years Foundation Stage standards. Qualified teachers deliver classroom-style sessions while maintaining a nurturing environment, including school transition visits and multilingual welcome activities. Daily observations inform individualised learning plans shared with parents and future schools.
Holiday Club
Conkers after-school and holiday club provides supervised care for children aged 4-11 with varied activities including sports, crafts, and quiet zones. Operating 7:30am-6pm on weekdays during school holidays, our qualified team organises themed events and external excursions while maintaining a safe, engaging environment for working parents.
Nutrition Programme
Daily home-cooked meals prepared on-site by professional cooks following nutritionist-approved menus. The programme ensures balanced nutrition for children's development, with special dietary requirements accommodated and age-appropriate meal presentation to encourage healthy eating habits through the nursery years.
People
Louise Hassall
Area Manager
With over 37 years of childcare experience, Louise leads our team with a vision combining traditional values and modern educational practices. Her leadership fosters community engagement through partnerships with local schools and organisations.
Sophie Large
Nursery Manager
As Nursery Manager, Sophie oversees daily operations ensuring high standards of care and education. She works closely with staff to maintain the nursery's homely atmosphere and implement effective transition programmes for children.
Lauren
Manager
Supporting Sophie in management, Lauren focuses on staff development and maintaining the nursery's Forest School accreditation. Her expertise ensures consistent quality across all childcare programmes and outdoor learning activities.
Chloe R
Forest School Lead
Level 3 Forest School qualified practitioner who develops our woodland learning curriculum. Chloe designs nature-based activities that promote environmental awareness while ensuring safety and educational value in outdoor sessions.
Jasmine C
Club Room Leader
Manages our after-school and holiday club programmes, creating engaging activity schedules for older children. Jasmine ensures structured yet flexible care that balances educational value with recreational needs for ages 4-11.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We provide childcare for children aged 0-11 years across our Baby Owls (0-2), Funny Frogs (2-3), Busy Bees (3-5) and Conkers after-school/holiday club (4-11) programmes.
Are your staff qualified?
All staff hold NVQ qualifications in Early Years Care and Education, with additional Paediatric First Aid training. Our Forest School practitioners have Level 3 accreditation, and preschool teachers are fully qualified.
What are your operating hours?
We operate Monday-Friday 7:30am-6pm. The nursery is closed weekends and bank holidays but offers holiday club coverage during school breaks with extended weekday hours.
Do you provide meals?
Yes, we offer nutritionist-approved meals prepared on-site daily, including breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Special dietary requirements are accommodated with prior notice and appropriate documentation.
How do you support school transition?
Our preschool programme includes school uniform days, Reception class teacher visits, and structured transition visits to local schools. Learning journeys are shared with parents and future schools to ensure continuity.
What outdoor facilities do you have?
We have over an acre of woodland learning areas, outdoor classrooms, a petting farm with pigs/chickens, and dedicated play zones. Forest School sessions and daily outdoor activities are integral to our curriculum.
