Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

First Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Apr 2022)
·
4.4(26 parent reviews) ·Royal British Legion Building, Durban Road, Ilford, IG2 7AQ · Redbridge
Number of places
82 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2022
Local authority
Redbridge

About this day nursery

First Day Nursery is a group of childcare settings dedicated to fostering a love of learning and discovery in children from 3 months to 5 years old. They provide a secure and stimulating setting where young minds can flourish and grow.

The nursery embraces the Curiosity Approach, integrating the philosophies of renowned early years pioneers such as Maria Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Rudolf Steiner, and Emmi Pikler. This child-led, play-based methodology encourages exploration, experimentation, and creativity using carefully selected resources and guidance from passionate educators.

The nursery’s ethos is built on a holistic approach to childcare, aiming to create calm, open-ended environments that inspire curiosity and critical thinking. Their vision is to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence in Children's Care and Early Learning, achieved through providing exceptional environments with a strong connection to nature, high-quality authentic resources, and a dedicated, highly qualified team.

They prioritise putting children first, working collaboratively as a team, striving for excellence, showing respect for all, and maintaining honesty and trustworthiness.

Our ethos

First Day Nursery embraces the Curiosity Approach, integrating philosophies from Maria Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Rudolf Steiner, and Emmi Pikler. Their child-led, play-based methodology encourages exploration, experimentation, and creativity within calm, open-ended environments. They aim to foster a love of learning and discovery, inspire curiosity and critical thinking, and are committed to putting children first, excellence, respect, and honesty.

What it's like

Staff create a warm and friendly nursery where children are safe and emotionally secure. They enable children to share a wide range of interesting resources, to discover, explore, learn and enhance their skills at their own pace. Children enter with enthusiasm on arrival and confidently separate from parents.

Curiosity ApproachPlay-based learningChild-led developmentHolistic approach

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Request pricing →

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm for 51 weeks of the year.

Age range

3 months to 5 years

Established

2016

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for First Day Nursery

Last inspected 12 April 2022

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Staff create a warm and friendly nursery where children are safe and emotionally secure. They enable children to share a wide range of interesting resources, to discover, explore, learn and enhance their skills at their own pace. Children enter with enthusiasm on arrival and confidently separate from parents.

Inspector highlights

  • The manager and staff team know the children well and have a good understanding of how children learn.
  • The curriculum is sequenced to build on what children already know and can do.
  • Parents have recently spent time in the nursery taking part in activities that children enjoy, with an emphasis on showing parents the nursery ethos and how children learn through play.
  • Children develop independence from an early age, using their skills successfully, for example when serving themselves at lunch and snack time.
  • Staff promote children's communication and language well by talking to children and asking questions that encourage them to think.

Areas to develop

  • 1help children hear and use their home language during play and activities, to further support their development of speech.
Inspection #10221833 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents are highly complimentary about the care their children receive.

They say that staff offer help and advice to continually enhance the experience for children.

Parents say that regular information is shared with them about the progress their children are making and that their children show at home all the things they are learning and enjoying at nursery.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff complete assessments on children's progress to help identify children who may need extra support. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress. Staff work closely with support from outside agencies. The provider and the manager continually review this to ensure all possible professional avenues of support to staff are available and to make sure children are receiving consistent reinforcement and support for their progress.

Outdoor space

Staff regularly check the number of children they are responsible for in both the indoor and outdoor environments to remove any identified hazards.

Parent Reviews of First Day Nursery

4.4
(26)
Diana Moraru
5 months ago

I rarely leave reviews, but I believe this one is truly deserved. My son was very reluctant to go to nursery at first he would cry and be quite fussy. However, the staff at First Day Nursery made the settling-in process incredibly smooth. They supported my son in every possible way and helped him feel comfortable and welcome. Now, just a few months later, he’s happy to go every day and really enjoys his time there. Thank you to everyone for your support. I highly recommend this nursery! A special THANK YOU to Many and Saty (my apologies if I’ve misspelled your name) from the toddler room and to Cinzia from preschool for always going above and beyond for my child. Your kindness, patience, and dedication mean so much to our family. I would also like to thank Diana and Zuneera from the administration staff,your constant support and helpfulness are truly appreciated. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Read on Google
Diana Gorgan
11 months ago

I rarely leave reviews, but I believe this one is truly deserved. My son was very reluctant to go to nursery at first—he would cry and be quite fussy. However, the staff at First Day Nursery made the settling-in process incredibly smooth. They supported my son in every possible way and helped him feel comfortable and welcome. Now, just a few months later, he’s happy to go every day and really enjoys his time there. Thank you to everyone for your support. I highly recommend this nursery!

Read on Google
Janna Tharmu
a year ago

My daughter attended first day nursery (Ilford branch) from the age of 2 and had a wonderful time there. The care and support offered by the staff and management made me feel confident that my daughter was safe and well looked after. A lot of time and attention is given to organise activities and encourage development. I would highly recommend First Day nursery to anyone in search of a great local nursery.

Read on Google
Maryam Zaka
a year ago

It was a wonderful experience. I am extremely happy that my both son graduated from First day nursery Ilford branch. This nursery really helped my sons to grow in all areas.the staff show so much care and love for my sons, the staff are so friendly, welcoming and warm hearted. I want to especially thank Zunera, Urwa and Fatima who have been nothing but the best teachers for my sons. Therefore I would highly recommend first day nursery.

Read on Google
Yousra Ahmed
a year ago

My child started First Day Nursery in September and I won’t be wrong to say that I made the right choice to chosen First Day Nursery. Everyone is very supportive but I would like to thank Zunera for providing me all the information and supporting me through this experience. I would also like to extend my gratitude for Urwa and Wasila for giving exceptional support and care to my daughter. As a mother it is very important to leave your child in a safe and happy place and these girls offer all of that. Well done!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for First Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: December 2016

  • April 2022Good
  • December 2016Good

Frequently asked about First Day Nursery

Nearby day nurseries in Ilford

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to First Day Nursery.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more