Happitots Nursery Broughty Ferry

It’s so funny how she’s now the yoga instructor at home. They are so quick to pick out my kid’s interest and work accordingly while introducing other activities gradually. The staffs are really welcoming too and you get an everyday update on your kid’s well-being. Really glad we picked this childcare centre. The setting is so conducive for discovering and my kid enjoys going there and talks about the excellent things they do, including yoga which she enjoys.

I have noticed such a difference in my son. He gets so excited to go in the mornings and is so cheerful to come home and tell me about his day, his friends and the “big cuddles” he gets from team.
They have especially nurtured his interest in music and instruments!
I can go to work cheerful in the knowledge my son is stimulated, having enjoyable and most importantly looked after by the attentive team. My son has been at Oranges and Lemons Belsize for a year, and I cannot thank them enough for the work they do.

He was coming home almost every day with an accident on his head and sometimes a couple of accidents on the same day. The team were asking the parents if we wanted the accident forms for the accidents that happened. So, most of the accidents were not recorded. I have witnessed a few times that the kids were left without supervision (totally alone) for short periods. There was not much stimulation and my son was saying “the childcare centre is so boring”. All old and core team were resigned in 6-8 months in 2021. The team turnover is quite high. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the team should not move between the rooms but due to the lack of team, they have to move. Higher management (above the childcare centre manager) does not even reply to your complaint e-mails. It is shame as it was an outstanding childcare centre before 2021 though. It is very sad that I had to move my son to another place after four years just for 1.5 months before him starting P1 due to my serious concerns about his safety and wellbeing.

My son has been going for many months now and has recently started going 4.5 days a week rather than 1 day and he consistently has enjoyable, tries new foods and activities and consistently has a wee story to tell about what he was up to.

All team are very welcoming and compassionate. Consistently have the time to answer all your questions. Every day my daughter is very cheerful that she is a part of this childcare centre. Everything is well organised. The kids participate in many different activities inside and outside. They never seem bored. The best childcare centre you can ask for.

Sadly I had to move him to another childcare centre as I found the care and assistance from team inadequate. The high team turnover didn’t help, they didn’t know the kids on a personal level to give them the assistance needed. My son’s behavior issues were put down to him being disruptive and naughty. He was in fact needing the right attention and assistance following his parent’s separation. I vocalised my concerns numerous times, but team including management kept changing and I’d have to explain our situation over and over, and no real action (other than making a “plan”) was taken. Since moving to a different childcare centre, having consistency in his care and the right assistance, he is thriving; his behaviour has completely taken a u-turn. Happitots may have been a great childcare centre before but it’s standards have become very very poor in my opinion, and I’m so glad I went with my gut instinct and moved him when I did. My son went to this childcare centre between March and December 2021, after we relocated to Dundee.

He settled in really quickly, starting in the 2,3 years group was exactly what he needed, to be around kids his age, and blending and discovering. Also, he was no longer was shy and adapted to his 5-days at childcare centre, where every day a new story to be told, his apatite came along excellent, his speaking also, moving forward and he is now in preschool and is still there on a 5-day basis. He gets along perfectly with the other kids and team, new and old. When he moves up to school next year, we will be extremely saddened due to the team being like part of our family; they consistently ask how we are, are a listening ear when needed, nothing is too much bother for them. It truly is like 1 big family, and I sense great knowing I leave my kid here, he is secure, well looked after, came on so very much, and that’s thanks to the team. My kid started here back in 2018, being a very shy 2-years-old and stuck to my hip.

They were able to give us a place for our daughter really quickly after reopening after lockdown, and she had no problems settling in thanks to the lovely team. She adores going to childcare centre and barely gives me a ‘bye, mummy’ before running through the doors in the morning. She’s consistently full of stories and songs from her day and looks forward to going back to see her friends and team. Thank you to all the team for your hard work and especially for keeping all the kids secure and cheerful during Covid! Oranges and Lemons Belsize House is a fantastic childcare centre!

My daughter had a very difficult time settling into childcare centre due to separation anxiety. The team went above and beyond anything I could have hoped for to help her settle. Now thanks to all of the hard work of each member of team, my daughter loves going to childcare centre and speaks about team members and childcare centre with such joy and excitement. One of the best decisions my husband and I have made was picking this childcare centre. I have no doubt that every need is met and her days spent there are full of enjoyable and making excellent memories. I can’t suggest this childcare centre enough to anyone that is looking for childcare.

Despite all of the challenges the childcare centre has faced due to the pandemic the team have continued to provide a high standard of care and our son has come on so much in his development. I can not fault the care he has received. There’s consistently something going on at the childcare centre and enjoyable days for the kids to get involved in.
The menus are changed regularly and the team consistently ask for feedback on proposed menu changes ahead of them being implemented. Our son has been at Happitots Childcare centre Broughty Ferry for approximately 12 months following the closure of his childcare centre within the same group.