Chapeltown Community Nursery

We have had the pleasure of experiencing several nurseries and sure start centres in Leeds, but nothing compares to Chapeltown Community Nursery. When we moved from Little Woodhouse to Chapeltown in 2009, we looked around and were quickly drawn to this place. It had an amazing outdoor play area with climbing frames, swings, a slide, and a train, which my son loved. It was south-facing and looked onto Reginald Park - the whole environment was green and spacious. The nursery itself had been set up by the local community in the 1970s and was run on a not-for-profit basis with a committee of parents, ex-parents and other community-minded folks. The emphasis was on learning through play, and it just looked like a really fun, happy and family-friendly space. It was also a genuinely diverse place with kids and staff from different ethnic, social and cultural backgrounds. Kids would get freshly-cooked food everyday from the nursery's own cook, and would celebrate all the different cultural and religious festivals. We got on the waiting list and soon were given a place. Our son settled in really fast and genuinely loved his time there. He still remembers the taste of the curry, and his final sports day when he got a medal. He is 13 now but still in touch with some of his friends from there, and occasionally will see his old 'teachers' in the street who remember him and tell him embarrassing stories of what he got up to. I got involved in the nursery committee and stayed on for 10 years. This helped me see the other side of the place and just how dedicated and caring the staff are. They really love the kids and look out for any parents who are struggling with stuff. As an independent, not-for-profit nursery that isn't bankrolled by the council or a big corporate chain, Chapeltown Community Nursery had to go the extra mile to survive the pandemic and was a pillar of support to the local community. If you are looking for a nursery that is more than a nursery, a genuine community of people who care about children and their future, then this is the place for you.

Community led, not for profit, open plan inside and lovely space outside, we have sent two of our kids here and have been really happy with the care and love they have received - they were always happy about going! Highly recommended

We couldn't have been more pleased with the time our son spent at Chapeltown Nursery. The staff are so caring and the atmosphere is warm, friendly and nurturing. The home cooked meals are also fantastic and my son was encouraged to try many new foods. I always recommend Chapeltown Community Nursery to others.

Both my children have been to Chapeltown Community Nursery. My eldest child has just left for school, and my youngest has settled in very well. The level of care that Chapeltown Community Nursery provides to the children and families is professional and of a very high quality. They support the child, the family, and the community at large. The purpose built building is spacious and the garden / outdoor play-area has just been re-designed. Both boys love cycling around the garden and play-area on the nursery bikes. They also love the food, we hear about each meal in detail.The nursery is also a community space so there are events which help to connect the children to their surroundings, such as photo exhibitions or music and dance.The staff go above and beyond for all the children. I wholeheartedly recommend this nursery!

I can't tell you how much this fabulous nursery has been part of my life, and for the better, for over 30 years. Of my 3 children (all now in their thirties) and 3 grandchildren (now 17, 8 and 4) ALL of them have attended Chapeltown Community Nursery and all of them have loved it there and made great friendships that survive to this day. The staff are wonderful, creative, imaginitive caring and above all, happy. You can feel the positivity as soon as you walk through the door! I very much hope that the next generation of my family will attend Chapeltown Community Nursery too. The nursery has always relied on word of mouth for its intake until now, so that alone should tell you just how good it is.

Chapeltown Community Nursery has such an important place in our life and in our hearts. I've sent my son there from since he was 2, until he started school in September, and my daughter is currently attending.It's been an amazing place of support, and like a second home, especially during the pandemic, when our only contact with the outside world was litterally the nursery!We love the large outdoor space for the kids to play bikes, climb trees, play imagination games, and pick strawberries in summer.Because it's a non-for-profit, community and parent led nursery, there is a great emphasis on creating art projects involving local talents, that you wouldn't see in your average nursery. For example, last year, there was a photography workshop and fun posh selfie sessions with a professional photographer and this year, there are dance/improvisation sessions with a local dancer and musicians. We feel absolutely privileged that our kids are taking part in such fun and stimulating events.Lastly but not least, we are very happy with the food, made from scratch by Lynette, the nursery cook. As a vegan family, we are so happy with the meals that have been designed to be tasty, balanced and nutritious. My son absolutely loved the food and used to ask for multiple servings all the time, my daughter is now the same! It's so good to have the peace of mind that your kid ate well at lunch for the times when they can be a bit fussy or overly tired at dinner. I also feel very grateful that plant milk is provided as an alternative for children who don't consume dairy, and that all the deserts are vegan, so no kid feels left out!

Fantastic nursery with a very friendly and flexible environment for children and parents. Community-centred and not-for-profit, this shines through. I send my two children here and we are all very happy. I like the large open play spaces both indoors and outdoors. The staff are so welcoming and great with the children. I highly recommend this nursery.

When hiring the nursery for a theatre rehearsal, the space available was big enough for movement and very good value for the time we used it - there was additional side rooms for actors to work alone - very handy. The use of kitchen was welcome too. Any staff conversed with was very clear and welcoming in manner. The health and safety in place, and procedures for using the building were very clear. The contract and payment method again was very clear/easy. Great place!

My son loved this nursery. Such a lovely community and as a not for profit orgabisation I found it more personal and flexible than other nursery provision I have used. The staff were caring and supportive and the time he spent there really helped prepare him for school. I am looking forward to my daughter attending too and she is excited about the lovely new playground. It can also be hired as a venue and we recently attended a birthday party there, the space was perfect for a kids party as you might expect from an early years setting!

My child loves it at nursery! Settling in was painless and the staff have been very helpful with potty training. My child loves the home cooked meals. It's not for profit, which impacts on the care of the children and meeting the parents needs too. You only pay for the hours of childcare you need for example.