Childcare in Cardiff

Exceptional Childcare in Cardiff

Parent Information

Childcare Cardiff

Sessions & Fees

A loving and homely setting providing care and education for children from 3 months to 5 years.

  • Monday – Friday
    7.30am – 6.00pm
  • Open 52 weeks of the year (excluding Bank Holidays)
    NO CHARGE for Bank Holidays
  • Term-Time only Contracts Available

Forest Holiday Club for 3-5 year olds

  • Monday – Friday
    9.00am-5.00pm

  • Summer Break, Easter Holidays and Half Terms
    (No Club over the Christmas Period)

All fees include:

  • Outstanding care and education
  • Organic, healthy and freshly made meals, snacks, milk, and drinks
  • Biodegradable nappies and wipes
Bubbles at Nestling, Cardiff

Childcare Funding

Offering Flexible Childcare

Welsh Government Funded Childcare

Welsh Government funded childcare for eligible 2-year-olds is currently available at our St Andrews nursery and will soon be available at David Lloyd.

For eligible 3-year-olds, the 30-hour funding scheme is available at both nurseries, providing 17.5 hours per week during term time and 30 hours during school holidays for 9 of the 13 holiday weeks each year.

Please contact your nursery manager for more information about eligibility and available funding.

Flying Start funding is currently available at the St Andrews site, soon to be available at David Lloyd – for eligible 2 year olds. The 30 hours funding provides 17.5 hours during term time and 30 hours during holidays (for 9 of the 13 weeks a year) – for eligible 3 year olds – available at both nurseries.

We accept government-funded childcare schemes to help make quality childcare more accessible. Tax-Free Childcare and government schemes (30-hour scheme and Welsh Government funding). 

17.5 hours term time or 30 hours in the holidays for the 30 hour scheme

Session-based rates are available to provide flexible childcare options for families.

Government-funded childcare may be available for eligible children aged 2 and above. Please contact your nursery manager for more information about eligibility and the funding options available.

Nursery Menu

Naturally Better Food for Little Ones

We choose organic ingredients for their natural goodness, quality, and delicious flavour. Our food is made using carefully selected ingredients, with a focus on wholesome nutrition and responsible farming. Organic and free-range produce also supports animal welfare while reducing exposure to unnecessary chemicals and pesticides.

Scandinavian Approach to Early Childhood Education

Our Methods, Routine & Activities

Nestlings’ Nursery embraces the renowned Scandinavian approach to early childhood education to deliver the Early Years Foundation Phase to young children.

​The Scandinavian approach is widely recognised as one of the best early years education systems in the world. It focuses on nurturing children’s emotional well-being, fostering independence, and encouraging a strong connection with nature. Known for producing some of the happiest, most resilient, and well-rounded children globally, the Scandinavian model places a high value on play-based learning and outdoor exploration, providing children with the freedom to learn at their own pace in a safe and supportive environment.

​At Nestlings, we incorporate these principles into our daily routines, offering a learning experience that emphasises hands-on exploration, self-directed play, and emotional growth.

While the structure of the day provides a comforting rhythm, it also allows flexibility, ensuring children have the freedom to choose their activities and develop their unique interests. The focus on outdoor learning ensures that children are engaged with nature, fostering curiosity and respect for the world around them.

​Through research and experience, we believe that the Scandinavian approach provides an exceptional framework for creating a nurturing, joyful, and educational experience for children.

​At Nestlings, we are proud to offer a world-class early education experience that combines the best aspects of Scandinavian practices, setting the foundation for your child’s future success, happiness, and well-being.

At Nestlings, we follow the principles of the Curriculum for Funded Non-Maintained Nursery Settings, providing a nurturing, play-based approach to learning that encourages children to explore, discover and develop at their own pace.

Our approach focuses on five key developmental pathways, helping to build strong foundations for children’s learning, confidence and wellbeing:

  • Creative
  • Messy Play
  • Role Play
  • Home Corner
  • Construction
  • Small World
  • Sand
  • Water
  • Outdoor
  • Large Physical
  • Table Top
  • Sensory
  • Gardening
  • Seasonal Table
  • Snack/Cooking
  • Story
  • Group Time

Through meaningful play, outdoor adventures and everyday experiences, we support each child’s individual journey, giving them the confidence, skills and curiosity to thrive both at nursery and beyond.

The core areas are:

Belonging — children developing a sense of connection, security, identity and belonging within their setting, family, community and Wales.

Communication — speech, language, listening, expression, early literacy and communicating through different forms.

Exploration — curiosity, investigating, problem solving, experimenting, exploring the natural world, early mathematical/scientific thinking and learning through real experiences.

Physical development — gross and fine motor development, coordination, strength, movement, physical activity, using tools and equipment and learning to manage appropriate risk.

Well-being — emotional, social and physical well-being, relationships, independence, confidence, resilience and recognizing and managing feelings.

 

Teaching children about the natural world around us is high on the Nursery’s agenda and our daily activities emphasise the importance of looking after our planet, friends, family and neighbours.

The Natural World

  • Each day the children take part in a gardening activity, ranging from watering our homegrown organic plants in our indoor garden to building a willow dome in our fun outdoor space.
  • ​Nestlings’ Nursery tries to be as eco-friendly as we can be by sourcing local products, using little plastic, reusing and recycling items and being as organic as possible. The equipment provided for the children is mostly made from wood and other natural products.
  • ​We provide daily diaries, invoices and other materials via secure online platforms to save on paper and waste.
  • We provide a range of lunches each week: one meat, one poultry, one fish and two vegetarian. There is a lot of research to suggest that as well as providing a healthier diet, cutting down on meat-eating can help climate change by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Find out more about our menus here.

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Our Community

  • We embrace the diversity of the human race by celebrating the festivities of different cultures and religions throughout the year. Each room has a Seasonal table and children are encouraged to bring items in to share with their friends.
  • We hold regular family days and at least twice a year we hold a charity fundraising activity to support local children’s hospice, Tŷ Hafan, allowing children the opportunity to help others in the community.


Recycling

  • Raw food waste is put into our Nursery compost bin and reused in our gardens once broken down. Other products are recycled via council resources.
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