Mulberry Bear Nursery is open for 50.5 weeks a year. We accept up to 22 hours a week of funded hours all year round for all three and four year olds subject to a minimum booking criteria, see Fee Information. Mulberry Bear Day Nursery and Pre-School, situated on the Open University Campus in Milton Keynes, is committed to providing high quality childcare and education for all its children through play in an enriched environment.
We have 54 places for children ranging from babies (3 months) to school age. Each group has its own designated areas for play, sleeping, eating and quiet activities. In addition to indoor play space we benefit from two beautiful spacious gardens and the local environment around the University's campus.
We have 54 places for children ranging from babies (3 months) to school age. Each group has its own designated areas for play, sleeping, eating and quiet activities. In addition to indoor play space we benefit from two beautiful spacious gardens and the local environment around the University's campus.
Services
Our Nursery is equipped and staffed to provide for children up to the age of compulsory schooling. Throughout the day the children experience free-flow play which incorporates the outdoor area and access across the main body of the nursery for our Toddlers and Top Enders. We cater for babies from 3 months old, they stay within this area until approximately 18 months old.
Fees are calculated, and charged in advance, on a monthly basis. Fees can be paid direct from salary for OU employees, Childcare Vouchers and BACs transfers. We do not charge a registration fee, only a non-refundable 100.00 deposit is required to confirm a booking. This is refunded on your child's last month's invoice.
There are two entrances into the Nursery: Gate 1 - baby room entrance, and Gate 2 - the main entrance. The intercom and bell are for visitors and maintenance. Please remember each time you use the intercom it takes a member of staff away from your children. The Nursery aims to maintain high standards of health, hygiene and safety, and the co-operation of parents is essential in this.
I have worked in the childcare sector from 1989 joining Mulberry Bear in 2009. This is a fascinating career no two days are alike. It is an unmeasurable pleasure and privilege being welcomed to care for someone else's precious child. Seeing children flourish, become independent, strong and curious to learn is the most satisfying outcome you could wish for.
We have an opportunity for a qualified practitioner to join our team. Experience of working with children across all ages in an early years setting would be advantage but not essential. If you would like to find out more about our post please call on 01908 653867 or email mulberrybear-enquiries@open.ac.uk.
Reviews (3)
Anne Wesemann
Dec 25, 2021
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True home away from home! Our kids both had to start nursery quite early and we were so nervous with our first born and looked at a couple of places, unsure what we were looking for. There was no doubt Mulberry Bear knew exactly what we were going through! They welcomed us as anxious parents and helped us to trust and be confident. So there was no doubt that our second baby would go there couple of years later.
They have three different groups in which they look after the children, with the babies having their own separate room. The staff are great, following an ethos of inclusion and care, looking
They have three different groups in which they look after the children, with the babies having their own separate room. The staff are great, following an ethos of inclusion and care, looking
Suzana Bettega
Oct 29, 2021
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Hannah Quaintrell
Oct 11, 2021
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I’m so glad I sent my daughter to Mulberry Bear, which provided a safe and caring environment that I believe gave her the best start to life outside the home. She was there for over 3 years, from 12 months until last month, when she started school. The staff were great: caring and professional, they made it feel like her second home. I very much appreciated the child-led approach, exploring and learning through play - especially messy play (so I didn’t have to) and music lessons. The nursery itself was clean and with lots for her to explore indoors (she especially appreciated the painting and
