First Friends Day Nursery

About our nursery

Welcome to our sought-after, highly-rated nursery, conveniently located on Grantham Road in Eastleigh.

Our lovely, modern nursery boasts a charming garden and separate rooms for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, providing a nurturing environment for your little ones. We prioritise creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, described by parents as a true home-from-home experience.

We are dedicated to nurturing a lifelong love of learning in every child. Our approach balances structured activities with free play, allowing children to learn and grow in a way that feels natural and engaging. Through a mix of guided experiences and independent exploration tailored to their interests, we help children build confidence and develop the skills they need for a smooth transition to school.

Call us on: 07494 990 013 or book a tour online:

Book a tour & ask our availability

Open hours and booking pattern

Our nursery offers:

Half-day sessions (8am-1pm or 1pm-6pm)
Full-day sessions (8am-6pm)
We also offer optional early drop-offs from 7am and late pick-ups at 7pm.

At the moment, all of our term-time and 9am–3pm places are fully booked, as these limited spaces have now been filled.

Our nursery is open 51 weeks of the year; we just closed for 1 week between Christmas and New Year, and Bank Holidays.

You can book a minimum of two half days or one full day per week.

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!

Amanda, our Deputy Nursery Manager and Toddlers Room Leader

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.

Rosie, Nursery Educator
Winner of our Group Employee Spotlight Award, May 2024.

Laura, Nursery Educator.
Winner of our Group Employee Spotlight Award, August 2024.

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 and growing vegetables 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, dinner, and tea every day.

See our menus

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 £1.40 per funded hour towards our Premium Package.

Tell me more about funded childcare

We provide everyday essentials

There’s no need to pack too much for nursery each day — we’ve got you covered. We provide all the essentials, including: summer hats, sun cream, toothbrushes, nappies and wipes, and T-shirts for enhanced curriculum sessions.

All you need to bring is: a set of spare clothes, a labelled water bottle, and baby bottles and formula or expressed breast milk (if applicable).

We aim to make mornings easier for families while ensuring every child is well cared for throughout the day.

Welcome to First Friends Day Nursery in

Eastleigh

About our nursery

Quick access to the important bits!

Here's a little glimpse of nursery life at First Friends Eastleigh

Open hours and booking pattern