Ofsted rating: Good
YMCA Newport Nursery is rated Good by Ofsted.
Food hygiene rated 5
Top hygiene score for peace of mind at mealtimes.
Google rating: 4.9★
Rated by parents on Google for this location.
About Our Nursery
Newport Nursery is a welcoming setting where children are supported to explore, grow in confidence, and enjoy a strong start to early learning.
Based at St Mary’s Hospital, the nursery offers a calm and convenient location for families across the island and is especially well placed for hospital staff. We are proud to offer a 2% NHS discount on nursery fees for NHS staff members.
Children benefit from fresh meals, outdoor play, and a strong school readiness focus, while breakout spaces and quieter areas help us support individual needs in a nurturing way.
Newport feels warm, supportive, and well connected, giving families a setting where children can feel settled, secure, and ready for the next stage.
Louisa Bishop
Nursery Manager
Emily Chiverton
SENCO
Rowanne
Nursery Administrator
Nursery families across Newport
Our Newport nursery welcomes families from across the local area, offering flexible childcare, funded places and support with school readiness.
We also help children prepare for transitions to local schools including Hunnyhill Primary School and Medina House School, supporting confidence, independence and early learning development before school starts.
What families love most
A few of the everyday details that make YMCA feel easy, supportive, and full of adventure.
Balanced meals
Nutritious, child-friendly food with options for allergies and dietary requirements, supported by our 5-star hygiene rating.
Open longer
Flexible hours with breakfast club available. See our rates for the full breakdown and session options.
Outdoor play and learning
Outdoor learning is part of everyday life here, whatever the season, with regular access to fresh air, space, and nature.
School readiness
Our Little Steps, Giant Leaps approach builds confidence across emotional, social, physical, and early learning skills, ready for school.
Inclusive Classroom Profile
A practical framework that helps us keep improving inclusion, environment, and everyday support for every child.
Rooms for every stage
From first cuddles to confident school starters, each room is designed around the way children really grow with familiar adults, thoughtful spaces, and a steady rhythm to the day.
Bumblebees 4 months–2 years
Our baby room is a gentle, nurturing space where little ones are comforted, cared for, and supported through familiar routines, close relationships, and age appropriate play.
Ratio: 1:3
Georgia
Room Lead
Ladybirds 2–3 years
In toddlers, children are encouraged to explore, communicate, and do more for themselves, with plenty of active play, clear routines, and support as their confidence grows.
Ratio: 1:5
Catilin
Room Lead
Grasshoppers 3–5 years
Preschool children are given the freedom to think, create, and take on new challenges, building independence, friendships, and the everyday skills that support a smooth move to school.
Ratio: 1:8
Rose
Room Lead
Settling In
Starting nursery is a big step for children and parents. Our settling in is flexible, gentle, and paced to your child so everyone can feel confident from day one.
Babies
6 settling sessions
Toddlers & Preschool
4 settling sessions
Session length
Around 1 hour each
At Newport, every settling session is around one hour long. Babies usually complete 6 settling sessions, while Toddlers and Preschool usually complete 4 settling sessions.
Parents stay for the first settling, and after that we judge things by ear together. Some children are ready to attend alone sooner, while others need a little more time with a parent nearby.
First settling with you
The first settling is with a parent or carer present, giving your child a calm introduction to the room, the team, and the daily environment.
We judge the next steps together
We work with you to decide whether your child is ready to attend the next settling sessions independently or would benefit from a more gradual transition.
Flexible, calm, and child led
Some children settle quickly and others take longer. We follow their pace, listen to parents, and make sure trust comes before speed.
Life at Nursery
A calm rhythm of play, care routines, outdoor moments, food and rest.
Breakfast club
A calm start to the day for children who arrive early.
Free play and self registration
Children settle in, choose activities, and ease into the morning.
Nappy change and small group time
Care routines alongside small group moments with familiar adults.
Snack time
A refuel break before children head back into play and learning.
Structured, focus and child initiated activities
Learning through play, exploration and creativity, indoors and out.
Nappy change and large group time
Care routines plus group moments like stories, singing and sharing.
Lunch time
A social part of the day with balanced meals and gentle routines.
Sleep time
A quiet rest period with soothing routines and comfort.
Structured, focus and child initiated activities
Afternoon play and learning with plenty of outdoor moments.
Nappy change and small group time
Care routines and smaller group moments before tea.
Tea time
A final refuel before the home time wind down.
Free play and handover
End of day play and warm handovers with families.
What parents say
Families tell us the difference is in the everyday details. Warm key worker relationships, clear communication, and children coming home happy and settled.
My son has attended since he was 17 months old and I can't fault them. He has additional needs, and they've gone over and above to understand his needs and accommodate for them. The outdoor space, especially the grasshoppers garden, is huge and such a great place to play. The staff are friendly and warm, and develop genuine relationships with the children. My son has been so happy there and I wish he didn't have to leave to start school in September!
Imba M
Google review
Although we are incredibly happy with the nursery and the staff are lovely. My grandson loves going to nursery. The thing that is most frustrating to nearly all parents I meet waiting is the time it takes to drop off and pick up. One child taken and brought out at a time is ridiculous. Each time I have picked my grandson up I have waited for on average 20 to 25 minutes. Parents get frustrated especially when a child is brought out then the staff stand and chat with the parent for several minutes before going for another. Can this please be looked into? Many thanks.
Grace A
Google review
The nursery are absolutely amazing with my little girl! Her confidence has grown massively since starting nursery in January. They are always updating me on how her days are going and if anything new happens. My little girl gets so excited to go in and will go in with open arms to them, some mornings completely forgetting to say bye to me. They are absolutely amazing.
Abbie F
Google review
I have both of my children at YMCA Nursery Newport and they have thrived there. They are more than happy to go into nursery, the children are so well cared for. All the staff are so welcoming and my children have built lovely relationships with all of them.
Stephanie C
Google review
Our little one thoroughly enjoys going to the nursery and the interaction she has with people there. Staff are friendly and very helpful. This is not a negative comment; the nursery needs longer hours. I know a few other people that would use the hours if they became available, considering it's close to the hospital and the amount of shift workers there are. I would suggest a poll and ask clients.
Andrew H
Google review
I currently have 2 children at the nursery, one of which has additional health requirements and I can honestly say they have been both supportive and understanding, whilst also providing excellent care. Both my children are absolutely thriving and I truly believe this is down to the fantastic environment they provide. I feel like they look after them like they were their own and never have any doubts leaving them there.
Rebecca R
Google review
My little boy has been going to YMCA since he was 9 months old and is now nearly 3. We cannot fault the setting at all, they have been amazing and have made sure my little boy thrives. They do a lot of outdoor play and go on walks to the forest and duck pond. He is now in the ladybird room and all the girls are fantastic, there is great communication and my boy adores them! Highly recommend this nursery!
Debbie P
Google review
My son attends the YMCA and has done since he was 1 year old, he’s nearly 3 and still struggles at drop off, needing lots of reassurance and kindness to settle. His key workers in both bumblebees and ladybirds have been instrumental in developing his confidence and to see him thrive and hear him talk about his key workers so positively has been joyful. I get regular updates through the app they use so I know that even if he’s been tearful at drop off, 5 minutes later he’s happily playing and laughing.
Sara R
Google review
My son started nursery at six months old, he is now two and a half and has thus been in both the Bumblebees and Ladybirds groups. He loves coming to nursery, which is certainly credit to the really fun, caring and well trained staff and all the exciting activities the kids get up to every day. Everyone is very helpful and the team leaders, office staff and nursery manager are always approachable. Highly recommended!!!
Malin D
Google review
Mine is now in grasshoppers; she has made some great friends and looks forward to going each day. They have excellent outdoor space and go on little outings to the duck pond and around the grounds, which is one of the reasons I also really like it. The value for money is also great, and you are advised at the cheapest option for your needs and can include lunches or not. Discount for NHS staff too!
Aisha C
Google review
Sensory • Creative • Seasonal
Messy play with meaning
Messy play is a big part of nursery life and is often planned around the weekly book we are sharing with the children, the Makaton signs they are learning, and the wider activities taking place that week. This helps children connect what they are seeing, hearing and exploring each day in a fun, hands on way. We also enjoy creating seasonal messy play experiences throughout the year.
How it all links together
We choose a weekly story to read with the children each day, then use that as inspiration for messy play, creative activities and the signs they are learning. It gives children lots of chances to revisit the same ideas in different ways and brings their learning to life through play.
Communication & Partnership with Parents
We believe parents are our partners in every child’s journey. Through the ParentZone app, you’ll receive regular updates, photos and videos, and you can message your child’s key worker anytime.
Nursery Fees Estimate
Quick, first-glance monthly estimates based on YMCA Newport fees. Monthly payments are calculated as weekly × 51 ÷ 12. View YMCA Newport Nursery rate sheet here