MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM EVERYONE AT FIRST FRIENDS
Welcome to First Friends Day Nursery in
Eastleigh
We are an award-winning, family-run day nursery providing premium childcare and support to babies aged 3 months to pre-school. Open 51 weeks of the year, 7 am-7 pm.
Here's a little glimpse of nursery life at First Friends, Eastleigh (swipe left)
Pre-School Room
Arts & Crafts Table
Baby Room
Role Play Area
Pre-School Room
Toddler Reading Area
Toddler Room
Toddler Room
Our Inspiring Rooms
Our baby rooms - a nest for little ones!
Our baby care is split into two dedicated rooms, tailored to support each stage of early development.
The Nest – A warm and homely space for babies and crawlers, offering a calm and secure environment for up to 8 little ones.
The Explorers Room – Designed for babies who are finding their feet, this space encourages movement and discovery, accommodating up to 6 walkers.
By grouping babies based on their developmental milestones, we ensure consistent routines and personalised care, allowing each child to thrive at their own pace.
Our toddler rooms - where little adventures begin!
Discoverers Room (2-3 Years)
Our Discoverers room is designed to inspire curiosity, confidence, and independence in toddlers aged 2-3 years. With thoughtfully crafted spaces and a balance of structured play and routine, we encourage little explorers to learn through hands-on experiences.
The room features a dedicated painting area, an engaging role-play station, a cosy reading corner, and unlimited access to outdoor play.
We provide a nurturing environment for up to 12 children, ensuring each child receives the attention and support they need to thrive.
Our pre-school room - a growing space for growing minds!
Inventors Pre-School Room (3-5 Years)
Our Inventors room is thoughtfully designed for children aged 3-5 years, providing a stimulating environment that nurtures creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Through carefully curated activities and engaging learning experiences, we support each child’s journey towards school readiness, helping them build essential skills for a lifetime of learning.
With a dedicated team of experienced educators, we welcome up to 22 children.
Meet our wonderful team - all first aid trained! (swipe left)
Kieron Hooper, Nursery Manager
Amanda, our Deputy Nursery Manager and Toddlers Room Leader
Emma, our SENDco Lead
Alison, our Nest Baby Room Leader
Winner of our Group Employee Spotlight Award, December 2023.
Leesa, Nursery Educator
Winner of our Group Employee Spotlight Award, February 2024.
Claire, our Pre-School Room Leader
Rosie, Nursery Educator
Winner of our Group Employee Spotlight Award, May 2024.
Kira, Pre-School Room Leader
Sophie, Nursery Educator
Jake, our Apprentice
Taia, Nursery Educator
Laura, Nursery Educator.
Winner of our Group Employee Spotlight Award, August 2024.
Lia, Nursery Educator
Sam, our Chef
Cordelia, our Nursery Apprentice
Hope, our Nursery Apprentice
opening hours & booking pattern
Our nursery offers flexible booking options to suit family life:
- Half-day sessions: 8 am–1 pm or 1 pm–6 pm
- Full-day sessions: 8 am–6 pm
- Term-time in pre-school (9 am–3 pm): Limited availability.
- Early starts from 7 am and late pick up until 7 pm
We are open for 51 weeks each year, closing only for one week over Christmas and New Year, all Bank Holidays, and our annual staff conference in the summer.
To ensure continuity and consistency for your child, our minimum attendance requirement is 10 hours per week, which is equivalent to two half-days or one full day.
What will my child eat?
At First Friends Nursery Eastleigh, food is so much more than what’s on the plate — it’s an opportunity to nurture lifelong healthy habits.
We involve children in every stage of the food journey — from planting in our garden, to helping prepare meals in our nursery kitchen.
We provide hot, home-cooked food freshly prepared by our in-house chef. We serve breakfast, snacks, a two-course lunch and tea every day.
What will my child learn?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in England sets the basic statutory framework for early childhood education (from birth to 5 years old). This alone is not enough to fully prepare children for school or life beyond.
That’s why First Friends goes beyond the basic EYFS requirements. We provide a Premium Package, which is why we are becoming the nursery of choice for many families in the local area.
We have our own enhanced curriculum, which includes: Earth Explorers, Thoughtful Food and Movement & Mindfulness, Makaton, and home-learning programmes.
Funded Childcare Explained
We’re pleased to welcome families using the government’s ‘stretch’ funded childcare scheme, allowing you to spread your funding across 51 weeks of the year. This equates to 11 hours per week (based on 15 hours term-time) or 22 hours per week (based on 30 hours term-time).
At First Friends Eastleigh, we offer more than the basic Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements covered by government funding.
Our Premium Package includes enhanced learning experiences, high-quality resources and educators, and added extras that set us apart and make us the nursery of choice in the area.
To support the delivery of this enhanced experience, we ask funded families to contribute towards our Premium Package.