Bright Horizons Norfolk Lodge Montessori Day Nursery

Norfolk Lodge is a wonderful nursery! Like any parent, I researched and searched endlessly for a nursery I felt happy and confident leaving my baby at, and saw most, if not all, of the nurseries in the area. The minute I walked into Norfolk Lodge, I knew it was the best place for my little girl. From the warm welcome from Suzanne and the team, to the friendly staff in the classrooms. My daughter has flourished since she started almost a year ago, and that is down to the nurturing and caring teachers that are there for her every day. She is so excited and happy to go to class, and runs into her teacher’s arms; as a parent dropping my baby off, that is all the reassurance I need. The gardens are beautiful, the classrooms are well equipped and there is a real family feel. The teachings are structured around a weekly/monthly theme, and my daughter has learnt so much by being there, not just educationally, but socially. Most importantly, I am confident that my girl is cared for, safe and happy. I highly recommend Norfolk Lodge.

Norfolk Lodge is an amazing nursery! Both my boys have been coming here since they were 6 months old, and the eldest is now almost 4 years old. The teachers are incredibly caring, which shows everyday. They worry when the children are unwell or going through a challenging time, and they are genuinely excited and proud to celebrate the children’s successes and milestones with the parents. Suzanne, the Head Directress, is at the door to greet us every morning. She knows every child by name and recognises all the parents too. I can say with absolute confidence that my children adore their teachers, which is evident when they run to greet them or talk excitedly and confidently with them. I feel completely relaxed leaving my children in their care and trust them to take good care of my sons. The staff and Head Directress, Suzanne, go out of their way to accommodate parents and children alike. I was having some difficulties helping my eldest to settle during a recent change of routine and Suzanne helped accommodate me with last minute changes to my children’s schedule. The teachers went out of their way to support and comfort my son (and me!) when he was feeling anxious. The school has also been very accommodating and caring of dietary requests too and food is prepared freshly on site everyday. The staff even went out of their way to buy my fussy toddler a special breakfast cereal, despite him being the only child who was eating it! Suzanne’s door is always open. Whether for advice, a quick chat or to raise any questions or concerns. Staff are smiling, professional and welcoming, and always happy to help. The children’s classrooms are big and bright, with high ceilings, and many of the rooms have easy access to the garden. The grounds are a wonderful space for the children to explore and run around and there is access to the woods for the older children. Over the last three years, the team at Norfolk Lodge have almost felt like an extended family to me. I would strongly recommend them to any parent looking for a trustworthy nursery that will nurture and encourage your children to thrive.

We’ve had children at Norfolk Lodge for over 6 years and have been impressed by the professionalism of the staff and grateful for the caring support they have shown. At every stage of their time at the nursery, they have been happy, well cared for, and inspired to create and learn by their carers. I was shocked to read the negative review from “Liz” because it is so far removed from my experience of excellent provision of childcare.

Norfolk Lodge has been a wonderful start to our education journey. The teachers are warm, nurturing and above all highly skilled in delivering a holistic and well rounded Montessori education. As a parent, I have found all the teaching staff to be extremely helpful and kind, they understand the stresses and strains of leaving your little one for the first time and give you the support and assurance you need. Our child is extremely happy and looks forward to going to Norfolk Lodge every day. I would highly recommend this Nursery.

While everyone is complimenting the nursery – I thought it was important to balance out the picture and share our experience. Many people give them great reviews, particularly as you often think, will my child be mistreated if they know what I think? Will they send a bad report to his next school? My children are now older and I feel more comfortable warning parents. We all discussed the points below at birthday parties, at school reunions between ourselves, or at the nursery itself…about time, for the nursery to know what we think! We are not happy and you take us (and our children) for granted. 1) Kids are also shouted at and called names. One day, I came by the corridor and heard it. Another time, my child just told me that he didn’t want to go because one staff member shouted at him. When I raised that point, nobody denied it. 2) In terms of value for money, this is just ridiculous, they squeeze every penny out of you! Parents are providing nappies, calpol, wipes, beaker …you even have to provide a box of tissues…You pay around £1800 per month for your child and they can’t even get him some tissues??? I am surprised I don’t have to provide them with the toys they play with… 3) Lack of flexibility: You cannot really swap days, and change much your schedule. Since, they got taken by BrightHorizons, standards have dropped. 4) They regularly make accounting mistakes and should check invoices before sending them. We regularly go there to the office and discover that we have been charged unnecessarily. 5) You pay for the settle-in session for a full day (around £100 in our case) but your child only stays there a couple of hours that day. On those days, you pay for meals that he/she didn’t even eat?? Like you would go in a restaurant and pay for a meal that you didn’t eat??? Poor him. 6) One day, I went to pick up my child at 4:55. My son was on his own playing in the corner, while everyone else was eating/sitting at the table. He was excluded and starving. I was supposed to pick him up at 5pm (So I was on time). I was terrified that day, as they fed the children earlier and my son doesn’t go to evening club. 7) You pay a little fortune for a uniform (terrible quality!), and not everyone wears it! I guess this is a money making exercise. 8) They don’t wash your children’s clothes, so you have a bag of dirty clothes every night. A couple of time, my child came home without pants. He wet himself and didn’t have spare clothes in his bag. Really??? Don’t they have spare in nursery??? 9) If you bring your child even 10 min earlier, you have to pay for the hour. 10) They can’t get the calendar right. This year the autumn was supposed to start on Wednesday 4th September. I had work booked for that day, and they changed the day. The term started on the 9th…you still pay for the few days when your child has not been. 11) They promise you so many activities, but they only do them (during term times only), the very last year. As soon as they have your payment, they take you for granted. 12) Activity weeks are really unstructured, they just run around outside – not sure this is worth the money in the absence of curriculum. 13) They encourage you to pick your child earlier on a Friday (why is that if you pay full price for the day??). 14) It is truly in the middle of nowhere, if you can’t drive – forget it! 15) One day, I was called to pick up my child and told he has chicken pox. So I took him home, and cared for him. However, when I took him to the doctor he assured me that, my son did not have chicken pox. The nursery should stop playing doctors. Overall, very disappointed as I have heard many good things about the nursery. It is time to start being professional and communicate with parents properly.