Kids Love Nature Kindergarten at Marwell Zoo

We are extremely happy with the care and support this nursery has provided our child. We found the approach and ethos this nursery has is different from the norm, however, exceeds every expectation! We were quickly confident in their approach to nurturing and developing children and we believe this approach gave our child the most solid platform to excel at school.

The recent introduction of additional sporting opportunities has been fantastic and helps to develop the physical capabilities of the children. Our only suggestion would be to greater enhance opportunities for children such as music or drama sessions to help build confidence.

True to its ethos! It has been a pleasure watching our little girl grow in confidence in this nurturing environment. My favourite thing is how the staff speak to, listen to and interact with the children. Treating them as individuals, giving responsibility as well as fun and plenty of freedom to explore! The access to the zoo, nature experts, large garden and forest all add hugely to the experience, fostering a love and curiosity for the world around. Can’t wait for our number 2 to join!

We moved our son to Kids Love Nature Kindergarten at Marwell Zoo in September 2019 after moving locally and I honestly wish we could’ve done it sooner. The change in his confidence and independence has been remarkable and is entirely down to the way Kids Love Nature approach learning. After only a year with them, he has gone on to transition to starting school with an eagerness I would never have expected before he started.
The focus on developing independence and learning through nature and the outdoors has helped both of my kids to become happy and comfortable with themselves and inspired a passion for learning. I also have two very enthusiastic tour guides every time we go to the zoo that can’t wait to talk about everything they’ve learnt.

Our little boy started here in August 2020 aged 2 and it is the best decision we made. The staff are amazing, our little one is so happy there. He loves his trips to the zoo and the forest. His confidence and understanding of the world has developed so much. It’s so lovely to know that he is safe and looked after fantastically, kept supplied with lots of lovely meals and snacks and having great fun.

My daughter started her journey with Kids Love Nature Marwell Zoo last year when she was 2. It was quite difficult at the beginning as she had spent most of her time with me and her dad alone at home due to the Covid19, and not much with anyone else before. But staff at Kids Love Nature have made such great efforts to brighten my daughter’s day and become one of her favourite groups of people in her life. There are always lots of cuddles, warm smiles and loving encouragement each and every day. It’s been such a pleasure to see my daughter so fascinated with role play about what’s like at Kids Love Nature when she is at home and she’d copy the way her key person organise daily routines etc. In her role play, there’re gentle words, a polite manner and so much care involved! I’m so glad that we send our daughter to Kids Love Nature, even it means 20 mins drive each way as we leave in Southampton. Kids Love Nature is definitely the best place for any child. Oh, not even mentioned the huge garden overlooking giraffes and zebras!

Staff have all been excellent at settling in and communication is brilliant via an app. Lots of amazing outdoor space but also space for them to stay warm inside with a variety of thought through activities everyday. Our little boy started at 11 months and has never been anything other than excited to attend. Visits to the zoo sound wonderful and happen often as well as use of the forest next to the kindergarten. Highly recommend getting in early to avoid disappointment is all. Food very good with a chef on site. Allergies well catered for.

The nursery is outstanding. Like many, my son tried a different nursery (also somehow rated outstanding?!) before settling here and they are miles apart. I love that the staff are a mixture of ages, not just all young school leavers. The staff are genuinely caring and interested in the children’s development, they speak passionately and honestly and take time to get to know them and give detailed handovers at the end of the day. They work with the children and it’s a really positive experience. My son has additional needs and they really outdo themselves to make him feel a part of the group and reassured. They are truly child-led and I don’t know of any other local school that could compare! They are also excellent at seeking feedback and learning from this eg they are trialling a new way for parents to pick up their children now with a new system in place. I don’t know what the staff here are paid but I guarantee it’s not enough! They are worth their weight in gold and then some.

The perfect nursery! Our child loves going and is developing into a confident, curious caring person because of them. He’s learning about emotions, nature, the world and gets administered cuddles for anxious moments. The ethos of every staff member is loving, calm and caring. Staff are highly skilled superstars listening, engaging and knowing all the children and parents. Communication is excellent. The spaces are huge natural and beautifully thought out inside and out to be child-centred, foster learning and nurture care and responsibility. Our child loves the freedom to choose to be outside in the garden engaging, exploring and learning. He has learnt so much from the carefully selected and prepared activities and provocations and the way staff lead by example. Food is brilliant and healthy. A home from home (or better, we don’t have giraffes, zebras or the staff at home). Every day exceeds our expectations.
Genuinely full of smiles laughter love and respect for all people and nature.

My sons both attend the nursery, one of them in the 0-2 provision, the other in the 2 years + classroom. My oldest child absolutely loves it. He enjoys being outside in all weathers, visiting the zoo and the forest. He learns so much and has developed such a love and curiosity for exploring and discovering nature. He is also encouraged to develop his communication, independence, literacy and numeracy skills. He settled straight away at 2 years old and continues to love it at 4 years old. My youngest is 1, and has just started. He is taking a while longer to settle but the staff are supporting him with such care, he is getting more confident every session. I couldnt recommend this setting more, it has been the perfect place for my active, sensitive, unique boys.

Staff are very caring.
Facilities are very good
Zoo and forest visits add an added layer of education.
Good levels of communication from panda classroom.
Management always address any questions or concerns swiftly.