Business Details
13 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare & Early Learning in the Midlands
We are a family-oriented nursery group established in 2013, dedicated to providing exceptional early years education and childcare across the Midlands. Our nurseries in Mickleover, Burnaston, Derby, Stoke-on-Trent, Hucknall, and Burton-on-Trent offer nurturing environments where children grow, learn, and thrive through tailored care and engaging activities. Our passionate, experienced teams prioritise individual development, working closely with parents to meet each child's unique needs while fostering confidence, creativity, and social skills.With a focus on safety, inclusivity, and holistic learning, we prepare children for their educational journey through age-appropriate indoor and outdoor spaces. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our strong parent partnerships and the warm, homely atmosphere that defines every Orange Tree nursery.
Services
Baby Care
Toddler Nurseries
Preschool Education
Outdoor Learning
Keyworker System
Details
- Year established: 2013
Highlights and features
- We offer family-run nurseries with a personal approach to childcare
- Our staff provide individualised care through dedicated keyworker systems
- We maintain low staff-child ratios for personalised attention
- Our settings combine secure indoor spaces with stimulating outdoor areas
- We prioritise transparent communication with parents and families
Services
Baby Care
Secure, homely environments for babies aged 0-14 months with dedicated carers. Our sensory-rich spaces include safe areas for sleeping, feeding, and developmental play. We follow individual routines while introducing age-appropriate activities to stimulate early learning and motor skills development.
Toddler Nurseries
Dynamic spaces for 1-2 year olds focusing on physical development and social interaction. We provide messy play areas, motor skill equipment, and structured meal times to encourage healthy eating habits and peer communication in a safe, engaging environment.
Preschool Education
Curriculum-based learning for 3+ year olds led by qualified teachers. Activities combine play-based learning with literacy, numeracy, and emotional development. We maintain 1:8 staff ratios to ensure individual attention and prepare children for school through transition programmes and parental involvement.
Outdoor Learning
Secure outdoor spaces with age-specific equipment for physical development. Children engage in gardening, weather observation, and active play while developing risk awareness. Our sensory gardens include planting areas and natural exploration zones that support holistic learning throughout the seasons.
Keyworker System
Each child is assigned a dedicated keyworker who monitors development, plans individual activities, and maintains regular communication with parents. This system ensures consistent care, tracks progress against learning goals, and facilitates smooth transitions between nursery rooms and to school settings.
People
Jacqui
Founder
As a mother of four children, Jacqui established The Orange Tree Day Nursery @ Hucknall in 2013 based on personal experience of childcare needs. She oversees operations across all six locations, maintaining standards of care and ensuring the family-oriented ethos remains central to nursery practices.
Sarah Thompson
Nursery Manager
Sarah manages the Derby nursery with 15 years' experience in early years education. She holds a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and leads staff training on child development and safeguarding practices while maintaining close parent partnerships.
Michael Carter
Operations Director
Michael oversees day-to-day operations across all nursery sites. With a background in business management and early years policy, he ensures regulatory compliance, staff development, and implementation of educational frameworks across the organisation.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We provide care for children aged 0-5 years across four distinct room settings: Blossoms (0-14 months), Caterpillars (1-2 years), Butterflies (2-3 years), and Wise Owls (3 years+).
How do you support individual child development?
Each child has a dedicated keyworker who tracks their progress, plans activities tailored to their interests, and maintains regular communication with parents to ensure continuity of care and development.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
Our team includes qualified teachers and experienced nursery practitioners with paediatric first aid training, enhanced DBS checks, and ongoing professional development in early years education.
Can I visit my child during the day?
We welcome parental visits at any time and operate an open-door policy, allowing parents to observe their child's environment and engage with staff about their development.
What is your approach to outdoor learning?
We provide secure outdoor spaces with age-appropriate equipment, sensory gardens, and physical activities that promote motor skills, creativity, and environmental awareness in all weather conditions.
How do you prepare children for school?
Our pre-school curriculum focuses on school readiness through structured play, literacy and numeracy activities, social skills development, and transition visits to local primary schools with parental involvement.
