Chestnut @ Ray Lodge

Wendy Lee

a year ago

When my first child started at this nursery, the fees were very competitive as compared to others in the area. However over the last 2 years, there has been huge staff turnover and the daily rate has gone from £63 to £100, rendering it completely unaffordable. Families have been given very short notice of the price increase and left to make very difficult decisions as to their childcare/working arrangements as a result. The staff working at the nursery do a brilliant job and really care for the children. However, when parents collectively flagged their concerns over the huge fee increase with the Finance team/upper management Karen Broughton and Stacey Greyo, our requests for a meeting were ignored and declined, thus demonstrating how little senior management value parent feedback. Very dismissive, disappointing and a real disservice to the extremely hardworking and dedicated nursery practitioners.

K Kay

9 months ago

It's unfortunate I have to write this review as the staff at this nursery provide such good care for my children and they are really happy there. The fee increases at the nursery are crazy. In 2021 my child started at a very affordable £61 /day (and at the time, Chestnut was the cheapest in the area). Fast forward to today, daily costs are now £100 and the nursery being one of the most expensive in the area. The price hikes put us in a position to reconsider whether keeping our second child (who is settled and happy)there feasible. Head office have a complete disregard to parental concerns. If you can afford to send your children there, then do, but be mindful that yearly price (and sometimes more frequent) hikes are unpredictably high.

Gil Lewis

a year ago

While the care is exceptional, Chestnut’s upper management imposes extreme fee increases with less than two months’ notice. For our family, this meant an additional £7,200 per year with just seven weeks’ warning. Fees have risen 15% this year and 62% since 2021, with no transparency, no consultation with parents, no agreement on freezing prices, and no honouring of initial agreed fees. Over 60 parents requested a meeting to discuss these concerns, but Karen Broughton (managing director) and Stacey Greyo (finance) outright refused, stating they would not agree to a meeting or any discussion with parents. Our children deserve stability, but Chestnut refuses to offer it. Future fees remain unpredictable, making financial planning impossible. If you’re considering this nursery, ask about long-term affordability before enrolling.

Asa Lindstrom-Hasselblad

2 months ago

This is really great nursery with wonderful staff being so caring and exceptional! I go into many nurseries and this is one of the best one I have been too!

Kerry Warner

2 years ago

I can't fault the Chestnut Ray Lodge staff approach to care of the children here. From Day 1 they supported our son through settling in and he is really thriving at nursery. Leticia, Bushra and Wazhma really care about the children and their development. They share updates and assessments to help keep you informed and really encourage the children, and comfort them if needed. They eat nutritious balanced meals and the menu varies which is brilliant. We can't fault it and communication from the nursery manager Lucy is great. Thank you to all the staff working hard to keep our children safe and happy at Chestnut Ray Lodge.