About Maggie’s

A remarkable nursery, built on a remarkable story

Maggie’s Day Nursery & Forest School is the flagship setting of Margaret Mason OBE, a nationally respected early years leader. After building and leading a group of 23 nurseries over three decades, Margaret chose to keep this special setting so she could pour her energy, experience and love for early education into one place – Maggie’s.

Ready to visit? Book a time that suits you or call us on 01332 830473.

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Our Vision

Margaret’s vision is simple: give children an exceptional start in life and support families to thrive. This is why all profits from Maggie’s fund the Margaret Mason OBE Trust, which provides emergency childcare for families in crisis and runs free community sessions in our on‑site Community Room.

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Our Ethos

Children learn best when they feel loved, safe and inspired. At Maggie’s, relationships come first and nature is our greatest teacher. We balance freedom with gentle guidance so children become confident, capable and kind.

Our Environment

2.5 acres of woodland, gardens, allotments and animal areas
Peter Rabbit’s Cabin – our all‑weather outdoor base with toilets, storage and dining space
Large firepit for cooking, stories and shared experiences
Homely playrooms with balcony access so free‑flow to the outdoors is easy

Who We Care For

We welcome children from birth to five years old.

Our babies, toddlers and Early Years each have dedicated spaces and skilled practitioners who understand their stage of development.

Opening Hours

We are open Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6:30pm, for 51 weeks of the year. We close on bank holidays and for one week over Christmas.Come and see us. Book your visit and we’ll show you round.

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Our Curriculum

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Food

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Meet the Team

Our team of experienced and dedicated staff provide a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment.

A well-established key person approach and our ongoing relationships with families are the foundation of our strong partnerships. This ethos runs through the heart of the nursery from the youngest baby to our older Early Years children as close relationships are forged.

Clare Hart

Senior /Charity Manager

Charlotte Foster

Deputy under 2’s

Holly Lynam

Early Years Lead

Sarah Mason

Manager over 3’s

Laura Wildin

Centre Director

Veneita Small

Manager 2-3’s

Jaclyn Simmons

Senior Manager / Head of SEND & Training

Louise Case

Manager under 2’s

Siobhan Eagle

Over 3’s Nursery Manager

Jackie Marshall

Forest School Leader

Danni Hope

Animal Care Lead

Frequently Asked Questions

We welcome children from birth to five years old. Each age group has its own dedicated space and team of experienced practitioners who understand their stage of development.

Maggie’s is open Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6:30pm, for 51 weeks of the year. We close for bank holidays and one week over Christmas.

Our nursery sits within 2.5 acres of woodland and gardens, complete with allotments, animal areas and a full Forest School. It’s a place where children learn through real experiences – cooking over the firepit, caring for animals and exploring nature every day.

Margaret Mason OBE is a nationally respected early years leader who founded and led a group of 23 nurseries. Maggie’s is her flagship setting, where she continues to pour her passion and experience into creating exceptional early education for every child.

Forest School sessions build confidence, teamwork and problem-solving skills through outdoor adventures such as den building, tool use, and cooking on the fire. Every child works towards their own Forestry Passport.

Yes, we offer funded early education for eligible two-, three- and four-year-olds. Our team can help you understand your options and find a pattern of attendance that works for your family.

All meals are freshly prepared on site by our nursery chef using seasonal ingredients, including produce from our gardens. We cater for all dietary requirements and encourage children to try new foods and learn about healthy eating.

Parents receive daily updates, photos and learning highlights via our secure parent app. We also host regular stay-and-play sessions, Forest School mornings and workshops for families.

Every child belongs here. Our experienced SEND team works closely with families and professionals to provide tailored support and ensure each child can thrive.

Absolutely – we’d love to show you around. Book a visit online or call 01332 830473 to arrange a time that suits you.

Adventure starts in the teepee

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Sliding into smiles every day

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Where play meets wonder indoors

Maggie’s Day Nursery & Forest School

A remarkable nursery, built on a remarkable story.

Founded by Margaret Mason OBE, Maggie’s is a flagship nursery with a big heart. After leading 23 settings nationwide, Margaret poured her love and experience into creating one truly special place—Maggie’s.