YMCA Andover Nursery | Where Every Child Belongs, Learns and Thrives.

A safe, nurturing nursery in Andover where children grow in confidence, creativity and joy, supported by caring staff, freshly prepared meals, and daily updates through the ParentZone app.

About Our Nursery

Set within the heart of Andover, our nursery offers bright indoor spaces, a large garden and a warm, family-style atmosphere where every child feels at home.

Why Parents Choose YMCA Nurseries

Standout care, clear communication, and everyday moments that help children belong, learn and thrive.

ParentZone icon placeholder

ParentZone App

Daily photos and videos of your child, plus quick updates from their key worker.

Freshly Prepared Meals

Nutritious food cooked on site daily; menus available and all allergies catered for.

Upfront Pricing

Clear, transparent fees, no hidden extras.

Inclusive & SEN Friendly

Every child belongs. ICP helps us meet each child’s individual needs.

Outdoor Play & Adventure

Large, secure outdoor areas for exploration and play every day.

Part of YMCA Fairthorne Group

Local charity support so every child feels accepted and valued.

Learning by Stage

Every child grows and learns at their own pace. Our rooms are designed to nurture each stage of their journey, from those first smiles to their first day at school.

Baby Room at YMCA Nursery

Baby Room (4 months – 2 years)

A safe, nurturing home-from-home where we follow your baby’s routines and support big milestones like weaning and walking.

Toddler Room at YMCA Nursery

Toddler Room (2 – 3 years)

Play, movement, and imagination drive learning as toddlers build confidence, coordination, and independence every day.

Pre-School Room at YMCA Nursery

Pre-School Room (3 – 5 years)

Curious minds thrive through creative play, early literacy, and outdoor exploration, preparing your child for school and beyond.

Key person offering calm support to a child during play

Supporting Every Child (SEN & Inclusion)

At YMCA Andover, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We’re proud to be SEN friendly, ensuring every child feels supported, seen and celebrated. Our Andover nursery is Ofsted Outstanding.

Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP)
Personalised support plans
Family partnership approach
1,360+ children supported across 7 Hampshire nurseries
880,000+ hours of care & education delivered
Ofsted Outstanding logo
Ofsted: Outstanding YMCA Andover Nursery

In 2023/24, YMCA Fairthorne Group embedded the Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP) across seven Hampshire nurseries, strengthening high quality, inclusive practice in everyday play and care.

🏆 Youth Matters Awards 2025 – Shortlisted: Family & Youth Work Project of the Year

Settling In

We know starting nursery is a big step, for children and parents. That’s why our settling-in is flexible, gentle, and paced to your child.

First Visit

A one hour session. Parents and children meet their key worker together. We chat through routines, needs and comfort items so your child feels at home.

Second Visit

A 90 minute session without parents to build confidence, short, sweet and full of reassurance.

Third Visit

Another 90 minute independent session to ease the transition and get your child ready for their first full day.

Children enjoying freshly prepared lunch at nursery

Meals and Nutrition

Healthy bodies fuel happy minds.

Our food is cooked fresh on-site every day, with balanced, nutritious meals and snacks provided throughout the day. We cater for all allergies and dietary needs, and menus are available for parents to view anytime.

Freshly Prepared Daily
Balanced, Seasonal Menus
Allergy-Friendly
Food hygiene rating 5
Food hygiene rating: 5 Food Standards Agency
Vegetarian Vegan Halal Kosher Gluten-free Dairy-free Nut-free Allergies
View This Term’s Menu

Our Day at a Glance

From morning hellos to home time, children enjoy a calm routine of play, creativity, outdoors, rest and nutritious meals.

1
Arrival & Welcome

Settle in, greet friends, choose an activity.

2
Morning Snack

A healthy bite to fuel the morning.

3
Outdoor Play

Explore, run, climb and discover nature.

4
Lunch

Freshly prepared meal together.

5
Rest / Quiet

Nap, stories, or calm activities.

6
Creative Time

Painting, building & sensory fun.

7
Afternoon & Tea

Group time, play, snack & tea.

Nursery tour thumbnail

Take a Nursery Tour

See our bright, inspiring rooms and outdoor play areas where little ones learn through play every day.

Our caring staff create a warm, nurturing environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and independence, giving parents complete peace of mind.

Pre-school Room
Toddler Room
Baby Room

Tip: Tap a room or the video to view, click the ❌ to close.

Hours, Flexibility & Funding

Our nurseries are typically open Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm, with flexible full-day, half-day and term-time-only options available. We offer both 15 and 30-hour funded childcare for eligible families.

Opening Hours

Mon–Fri, 8:00am–6:00pm (check local page for exact times).

Sessions & Flexibility

Full days, half days and term-time-only options to suit your family.

Funded Hours

15 & 30 hours available for eligible families.

Parent viewing nursery updates and photos on a phone

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.

Daily Photos & VideosPeek into their day with moments that matter.
Two-Way MessagingQuickly contact your key worker and share notes.
Invoices in One PlaceView and keep track of your nursery bills inside the app.
Learning SnapshotsSee progress highlights linked to goals.

Meet the team who’ll be caring for your child

Here are the friendly faces you’ll see at drop-off. Each of them is trained, approachable and loves watching children grow.

Jasmin

Jasmin

Early Years Lead
DSL Paediatric First Aid Foundation degree
Favourite part of the job

“Watching babies hit milestones and become confident children.”

See qualifications
• Foundation degree in Early Years education
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Paediatric First Aid
Helen

Helen

Senior Early Years
BA (Hons) DSL Paediatric First Aid NASEN L3
Favourite part of the job

“Helping children settle, grow in skills and be ready for school.”

See qualifications
• BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies
• DSL
• Paediatric First Aid
• NASEN Level 3
• Inclusion Classroom Profile Auditor
Tami

Tami

Administrator
Level 3 Early Years Family support
Favourite part of the job

“Making sure every family has the best start to their nursery journey.”

See qualifications
• NVQ Level 3 Early Years
Hannah

Hannah

Nursery Manager
DSL Paediatric First Aid Early Years ELSA
Favourite part of the job

“Supporting children with additional needs and getting them ready for their next adventure.”

See qualifications
• Level 4 Higher Education Early Years
• DSL
• Paediatric First Aid
• Early Years ELSA
• Inclusion Classroom Profile Auditor

More team joining soon – we’ll add their faces here so you always know who to look for at drop-off.

What parents tell us

“They helped my son transition…”

Excellent staff, they all do incredible work at the nursery. They have helped my son transition and manage him perfectly from babies to the toddler group. I have seen him grow and develop amazingly and forever thankful to the staff.

“We came back with our second child.”

Our first child (daughter) went to the nursery when it first opened and she had such a wonderful time there, so when we had another baby, there was no question about where we would send him because they are all so lovely and caring at the YMCA.

“Really well-deserved ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted Report!”

Always knew this nursery was the one! My daughter goes in happy and comes out happy. My son is also due to start… I cannot wait to watch both my children thrive in a place they love!

“She had the most difficult time settling…”

With the care, support and attention of the staff Guler is now upset to come home! We will never forget Alice’s efforts to keep Guler happy and entertained.

“A wonderful place for healthy development.”

The staff are fantastic and our daughter loves it there. She absolutely loves it and so do we! Thank you to all.

“Both my children go…”

Amazing nursery, both my children go and I can see how much they are learning.

See all reviews on daynurseries.co.uk

Perfect Location

YMCA Nursery Andover, Dairy Road, East Anton, Andover, SP11 6YG.

Enquire today

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    FAQs

    We support wrap around care, as we are open Monday to Friday from 7:30am – 6pm, all year round.
    Please view our sessions and fees here.
    Children with an entitlement to 2 and 3 year old funding are welcomed – visit the Hampshire County Council website to check your eligibility. Your child is entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week from the term after their 3rd birthday. If you are in work, you could be entitled to an additional 15 hours of free childcare. To find out if you are eligible for the additional 15 hours, please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
    YMCA Nursery Andover is availble to Children from 4 months to 5 years.
    Find out more about our Childcare Policies and Procedures here
    Childcare Terms and Conditions are available here.
    Childcare Prospectus is available from your Nursery, please contact them for more information.