Description
Contact Information
-
Phone Number023 9421 8321
Categories
Details
-
Group/OwnerYMCA Fairthorne Group
-
Person in ChargeSarah Henderson (Nursery Manager)
-
Number of Staff15
-
When ClosedBank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas
-
Type of ServiceDay Nursery – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned Open all year Full Day Care Sessional Day Care
-
Total Places for children58
-
Age rangefrom 0 years 4 months to 5 years 0 months
-
Opening DaysMon-Fri
-
Opening Hours0730-1800
Skyler Hunter
September 28, 2024 at 3:54 amHe originally attended another childcare centre pre-Covid and was then transferred to Whale Island as we were no longer commuting to work.
We have seen how much he’s developed over the last 23 months, from his self‑assurance, his vocabulary and articulation, to being able to ride a bike without stabilisers! Following his development on the app has been excellent too.
Being one of the bigger kids this year has meant he had to be more of a role model for his younger friends, and hearing how he looks after the smaller kids are excellent.
He has had an incredible time attending the childcare centre, and he is already saying how much he’s going to miss his friends and “his grown-ups”.
We can see that he’s definitely ready to start school in September, but we have to accept this with a heavy heart as he’s loved it so much. It’s going to be very strange not making the trip over to Whale Island every morning to drop him off. Our youngest son is just about to finish his time at Whale Island.
Reese Lawson
November 15, 2024 at 12:21 amIt is a smaller setting, but with such fantastic and unique surroundings that the kids get to explore. The kids are encouraged to learn through involvement and gain so much self‑assurance in their own abilities. I was so cheerful with the kids’s involvement in nature discovering to grow and harvest their own food in the nature garden. The team are all so lovely and supportive and encourage the kids with their adventures and crazy imaginations. I would thoroughly suggest Whale Island to anyone. My kid has attended the childcare centre for the last two years, and I have been so pleased to see how much she has grown in that time, thanks to the fantastic team at Whale Island.
Avery Flynn
November 23, 2024 at 10:08 amIt’s the best decision I have made. The childcare centre is so great. My kid thrives there. The outside space is incredible, and having the extra room on the island to explore is an added bonus. All the team there are so welcoming, hard-working and incredible people. They keep you updated with things my kid has done throughout the week, and the handovers are very detailed. The resources they have inside are excellent; they get kids to think and learn whilst having enjoyable. My kid looks forward to going there every day and even wants to go there at weekends, which must say something for the setting. My kid has been going to the childcare centre for the last 8 months.
Milan Bishop
December 29, 2024 at 8:59 pmOur kids seemed most comfortable there; they were excited and cheerful to explore whilst we viewed the childcare centre and chatted to the team. All team are attentive and compassionate and have made fantastic bonds with our kids. They were both quite unhappy when they first joined, but it didn’t take them long to settle; the team made reasonable adjustments to help our eldest settle in, and now they adore it. They both come home sticky and filthy, which is definitely a sign of a great day! The thing we loved most about the childcare centre would have to be the outside space. All of the kids have access to a large outside garden; they quite often go for walks on the naval base grounds, which my kids adore. They had the opportunity to watch the band practising for the Queen’s Jubilee and even joined in with pots and pans. We adore YMCA childcare centre, and most of all my kids are cheerful. We viewed a few nurseries for our kids aged 1 and 3, and YMCA Childcare centre, Whale Island, was by far the best.
Avery Carter
May 5, 2025 at 11:19 pmI am writing a review of my kid’s overall journey whilst being at YMCA Childcare centre, Whale Island.
The team here have consistently gone above and beyond me to make me and my kid sense welcome and secure.
The meals provided are consistently healthy, and routines are set in place for all kids.
Overall, would highly suggest it!
Alex Wells
May 14, 2025 at 3:57 pmIncredible team with so much heart and attentive mindset. The educators really make an effort to engage the kids and develop them in a very individualised way. The management is really committed to providing a secure, enjoyable, and loving setting and we’re very thankful to the whole team at the childcare centre! My little boy has attended since he was 11 months old and he’s loved his journey.
Kai Page
June 5, 2025 at 4:57 amI have used the childcare centre for a short time due to recently moving to the area, and the team listened carefully to my concerns and areas my little one needed extra assistance, and they immediately implemented a plan to assistance the specific needs. The smaller setting is perfect with unique resources, eg seeing marching bands, helicopters and ships, which allow the dynamic and imaginative team to embrace the interests of little ones, creating discovering opportunities. The childcare centre is energised, and my little one is excited to attend. All of the team are engaging and enthusiastic, and my kid has thrived and overcome physical and emotional challenges with a new self‑assurance thanks to the dedication and individual attention which wasn’t delivered in the previous larger childcare centre setting. I wish my kid had been able to attend this fabulous childcare centre for longer, but the team have already prepared my little one so well for the challenge of school. This childcare centre has been phenomenal in supporting my kid.
Winter Blair
June 10, 2025 at 6:21 amThere is nowhere else in the area with such a nice garden. The other week the kids got to watch caterpillars hatching as well as a splash pool built by one member of team.
Three particular members of team should have a medal for their dedication to the kids. My boys adore them to bits.
It is a bit more expensive than some other nurseries, but it’s worth every penny. I can’t say enough nice things about YMCA Childcare centre, Whale Island.
The team are so lovely and creative with their ideas for games and activities.