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The Dolls House

Ofsted: Good
(Dec 2023)
·
4.9(7 parent reviews) ·6 New Walk, Leicester, LE1 6TF · Leicester
Number of places
51 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2023
Local authority
Leicester

About this day nursery

The Dolls House Nursery, established in 2003, is a family-operated institution in Leicester providing a nurturing and stimulating learning environment for children from birth. It comprises the "Little House for Babies", dedicated to infants up to two years old, who then progress seamlessly into the pre-school.

The nursery prides itself on its carefully designed rooms that create a homely and secure space for babies and one-year-olds. Their team of highly experienced staff, including those with Early Childhood Studies degrees and a qualified Early Years Teacher, are committed to preparing children for primary school through a balanced learning programme.

The nursery fosters a close working relationship with parents to ensure confidence, mutual respect, and the child's growth. Children aged three and four benefit from enriching activities including regular trips to Charnwood Forest for nature studies, den building, and outdoor exploration.

Weekly French lessons, dance, and yoga classes further enhance their development, while two-year-olds enjoy educational visits to Manor Farm. The nursery also celebrates its four-year-old leavers with a Graduation Ball.

They offer a diverse, healthy, and seasonal menu prepared by a qualified chef, accommodating all dietary needs with a "no salt, low sugar" policy, and have achieved maximum hygiene ratings from the Food Standards Agency.

Our ethos

The Dolls House Nursery is committed to preparing children for primary school through a balanced learning programme. They utilise carefully designed rooms to create a homely and secure space, and foster a close working relationship with parents. Children aged three and four benefit from enriching activities including regular trips to Charnwood Forest for nature studies, den building, and outdoor exploration, alongside weekly French lessons, dance, and yoga classes.

What it's like

Children thrive at this welcoming, vibrant and fun nursery. Staff work well with parents to get to know their children before they start attending, learning what children know and can do to plan a matching curriculum. Children show good focus and become confident performers, boosting self-esteem and communication skills.

Family-run nurseryForest Discovery programmeFrench & Dance lessonsNutritious bespoke meals

Pricing & funding

Pricing on request

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

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Key facts

Food

Meals and snacks prepared fresh daily by a qualified chef, catering for dietary requirements. Focus on nutritious, healthy, seasonal, locally sourced (where possible) organic produce, with a

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.45am to 6pm

Age range

Birth to 4 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2003

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Dolls House

Last inspected 13 December 2023 · Jude Simpson

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

Children thrive at this welcoming, vibrant and fun nursery. Staff work well with parents to get to know their children before they start attending, learning what children know and can do to plan a matching curriculum. Children show good focus and become confident performers, boosting self-esteem and communication skills.

Inspector highlights

  • Children thrive at this welcoming, vibrant and fun nursery.
  • Staff are skilful at extending children's learning.
  • The curriculum for children's physical development is particularly effective.
  • The manager supports her staff team well and works tirelessly to coach them.
  • Staff are quick to identify when a child may show signs of needing additional support.

Areas to develop

  • 1improve how staff support children with their communication and language skills.
Inspection #10278317 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff are quick to identify when a child may show signs of needing additional support. The staff team liaise effectively with parents and other professionals to share information about ways to support children's learning needs, ensuring all children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive the support they need.

Outdoor space

The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.

Parent Reviews of The Dolls House

4.9
(7)
Summa Schrickker
2 years ago

My son attended The Dolls House from the age of 10 months, when I returned to work from maternity...When your emotions run wild and anxiety is at its highest! Jane was fantastic in managing the baby room and looked after my boy so well. Have him lots of cuddles which is what they need! Over a year later, he still talks about being in the baby room with her! She is very attentive which I also really appreciated. Very organised and supportive nursery. Chris helped so much with the initial food intolerances my son had and was ever ready to experiment with different meals and foods which I loved. He eventually grew out of these but it was the reassurance which is exactly what you need, especially as a new mum. Would always recommend!!

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Richard Issleib
3 years ago

Such an amazing nursery. My son has been going there for a couple of years and the staff are excellent; friendly, attentive and understanding. He started as a baby in the Little House and has now moved to the toddlers in the Dolls House. Nigel, Chris and the whole team have created such a welcoming, interesting and varied space for the kids to be in with different themed rooms and the added bonus of regular trips out to the museum, new walk and the market. All the food is freshly prepared on site every day and is equally as varied and interesting as the building! It's ideally placed in the city centre for getting to work too, which means less stress on the nursery run!

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Jennifer Jordan
3 years ago

A wonderful nursery and preschool. My little one has been attending for over a year. The staff were so supportive during the transition of starting nursery and my little one absolutely loves it there. I love the well thought out decor and all the fresh meals they he enjoys, with a good focus on getting his five a day in.

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Andy Williams
5 years ago

Outstanding in every respect . our son not only loved his time here but the attention and expertise at the Dolls House allowed him to thrive and develop socially and mentally . The Dolls House offers you the opportunity to give your child the very best of starts in life . We shall be forever grateful to the staff and management for the excellent job they have done

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Beth Thorpe
5 years ago

My one year old sons been going there for two months now he loves it. She staff are amazing and I'm confident hes in the best hands while I'm at work. Thank you to all the staff especially Jane and Jess

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Reviews from Google for The Dolls House. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2023

Date: August 2013

  • December 2023Good
  • January 2023Requires improvement
  • February 2017Good
  • October 2016Inadequate
  • August 2013Good

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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