My son started with Vicci at just 7 months old, and now, four years later, he's off to school: confident, kind, and so ready for the next step. Watching him grow from "baby L" to an energetic toddler and now a big boy who sets a gentle example for the younger children has been one of the real joys of these past few years, and so much of that is down to this nursery.

What makes this setting special is that it's a genuine family environment. Vicci runs it alongside her two sons, Khai and Beau, who both work there, while her other two children and her husband often pop in to say hello to the kids. Even the family dog is part of everyday life there. It never feels institutional; it feels like being looked after by people who actually love your children. Vicci is like a second mum to my kids. I'll never forget picking up my son early one day when he had a fever, and finding him cuddled in her arms, comforted, the whole time until I arrived. Khai and Beau are brilliant with the children as well, always inventing new games and keeping things fun, engaging, and fresh.

Being a small, mixed age setting also meant my daughter, who joined at 8 months, got to spend her days alongside her big brother. They've become close friends because of it, while still each having their own friendships within the group, which is a real bonus of the mixed age approach.

The activities strike a lovely balance between free play and Montessori-like learning. The kids also get to spend a lot of time in the garden, weather allowing, which is such a contrast to larger nurseries where outdoor time is often limited to fixed timeslots. My son loved the summer pool parties, with ice lollies and water guns, and at Christmas the children get an exciting programme including a Christmas lunch and a visit from Santa. I can genuinely say my son is walking into school well prepared, both academically and emotionally. I'm just glad my daughter still has two more years here before we have to say our own goodbye, which I know will be a hard one.

Highly recommend this nursery to any family looking for somewhere that feels like an extension of home.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication