Business Details
25 Years
experience
Trusted Child Care & Early Education in Hale
Elmscot Day Nursery was founded in 2001 to address the need for homely, high-quality childcare and early education. With seven purpose-built nurseries across Cheshire and Greater Manchester, we provide stimulating environments where children develop curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Our team of qualified early years professionals delivers a curriculum aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage, prioritizing safety, nutrition, and holistic development.We hold multiple national awards for educational excellence, food provision, and inclusive practices, reflecting our commitment to nurturing inquisitive minds. Through partnerships with parents and external experts, we create tailored learning experiences that prepare children for future academic and personal success while maintaining a strong focus on wellbeing and community engagement.
Services
Day Nurseries
Nursery Schools
Forest School
Breakfast Clubs
After School Clubs
Holiday Clubs
Special Educational Needs Support
Nutrition Programs
Parent Partnerships
Outdoor Learning
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We have 22 years of specialized experience in early years education
- Our menus are nutritionist-approved and awarded nationally for excellence
- All settings maintain Ofsted's highest standards for childcare provision
- We implement Forest School principles for outdoor experiential learning
- Our SEND coordinators provide tailored support for children with additional needs
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
- Soil Association Food for Life Award
- Healthy Setting Award
- Investors in People
- NDNA eQuality Counts
What people say
Outstanding staff dedication
Excellent nutritional programs
Exceptional child development
Warm nurturing environments
Strong parental communication
Services
Day Nurseries
Our purpose-built day nurseries provide secure environments for children aged 0-5, following the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Each setting features qualified teachers, age-appropriate learning zones, and daily outdoor activities. We maintain low staff-to-child ratios to ensure personalized attention while implementing structured routines that promote emotional security and developmental milestones through play-based learning.
Forest School
Free weekly Forest School sessions run by trained practitioners develop children's physical coordination and environmental awareness. Activities include nature exploration, creative mud play, and weather-appropriate outdoor adventures. These sessions follow Scandinavian principles emphasizing risk assessment through supervised play, fostering confidence and resilience while connecting children with natural ecosystems through hands-on experiences.
Special Educational Needs Support
Each nursery employs dedicated SEND coordinators who create individualized support plans for children with additional needs. Our inclusive approach combines sensory play areas, adapted equipment, and specialist training for all staff. We maintain regular communication with parents and external agencies to ensure consistent developmental progress, with documented success in supporting children with visual impairments and communication challenges.
Nutrition Programs
Nutritionist-designed menus provide balanced meals meeting Food Standards Agency guidelines. Our kitchens prepare fresh dishes daily using locally sourced ingredients, including low-salt sausages from Taylor & Son butchers. We accommodate all dietary requirements while educating children about healthy eating through cooking activities and garden-to-table experiences, maintaining Level 5 food hygiene ratings across all locations.
Parent Partnerships
We maintain transparent communication through daily updates, online learning portals, and regular parent-teacher meetings. Our approach includes home-visit assessments, personalized transition plans, and family involvement in curriculum activities. This collaborative model ensures continuity between home and nursery environments, with documented improvements in child confidence and developmental outcomes through consistent parental engagement.
People
Dee McKenzie
Owner
Dee McKenzie founded Elmscot Day Nursery in 2001 after identifying gaps in local childcare provision. With over two decades of leadership experience, she has expanded the business to seven locations while maintaining its founding ethos of homely, education-focused care. Dee oversees strategic development and quality assurance across all nurseries.
Questions
What age groups do Elmscot nurseries accept?
We care for children from 6 months through primary school age, with dedicated rooms for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers.
Are meals provided at Elmscot nurseries?
Yes, we provide nutritionist-approved meals and snacks cooked fresh daily, including special dietary accommodations.
How does Elmscot support child development?
Our curriculum combines EYFS requirements with Forest School principles, sensory play, and individualized learning plans.
What safety measures are in place?
All nurseries have biometric access systems, 24-hour CCTV, and enhanced DBS-checked staff for child protection.
Do you offer after-school care?
Kids Collective provides breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, and holiday programs for children up to age 11.
How are parents kept informed?
We use daily handover updates, online learning journals, and regular parent-teacher meetings for transparent communication.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Samina Entwistle
Sep 30, 2019
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My daughter loves going here - always happy when I drop her off and happy when I pick her up. The staff are attentive and always available and supportive not only to my daughter but to me too! My daughters social and language skills develop every day and she always surprises me with information she has learned at nursery! I would highly recommend!
Adam Welsh
Sep 16, 2019
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Extremely happy with the care & attention given to our daughter, who is in the Willow room in Timperley. Our daughter has settled very quickly which is a credit to the team, and we get detailed reports at the end of each day of all the fun activities shes done. There is always a good section of food, freshly cooked each day.
Liv (her key worker), Chelsea, Siobhan & Tasheika are all excellent. Were very happy.
Liv (her key worker), Chelsea, Siobhan & Tasheika are all excellent. Were very happy.
Nicola Henderson
May 16, 2019
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Tonight Neve got handed a bag of sweets and hot chocolate - Such a lovely gesture for the year 6 pupils finishing their tough SAT’s week - thankyou x
Natalie Hasford
Dec 19, 2018
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Unfortunately it’s my sons last day tomorrow due to us moving etc. But I just want to say what an absolutely amazing journey he’s been on since being with you from one year old. Every single staff member have been outstanding and my sons development has never gone unnoticed at home after attending his nursery sessions. Even with the transitions to each room, us as parents have been made to feel at ease each time. Thank you so much woodlands I could not recommend you more if I tried 😀
Sarah Clark
Oct 13, 2018
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As 1st time parents, we relied on friends recommendations before visiting various nuseries in the area. I was still pregnant with our 1st daughter when we visited Elmscot, Altrincham. Our eldest is now nearly 3 and youngest 16 months. Both spend 3 days a week at Elmscot. I couldn't be happier with all aspects of the nursery - from the manager who is so helpful, friendly, flexible & a great leader to the team there, to the chef with all the nutritious, fabulous meals she creates for the children, to the girls in the rooms & the girls key workers, managing every day life for each age group. They
