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Bright Horizons UK Reviews 

173
TrustScore 4 out of 5

3.9

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 107 reviews, reviewers had a great experience with this company. Parents consistently praise the kind, caring, and attentive staff members who create a wonderfully warm and nurturing environment where children can comfortably thrive every single day. Families truly appreciate the engaging daily activities, beautiful natural settings, and helpful progress updates that make everyone feel completely comfortable and supported. Some reviewers were not happy with administrative challenges, unhelpful management responses, or frustrating difficulties regarding scheduled backup care services. Other people also felt that certain branch locations experienced communication gaps, staffing inconsistencies, or unforeseen issues during their time there.

What people talk about most

Staff

Clients share positive opinions on staff, consistently praising their warm, caring, and attentive nature.... See more

Service

Consumers find service to be positive and note that children receive genuine care and attention. Reviewers... See more

Location

People report positive experiences with location, noting that the settings are convenient and in great spots... See more

User experience

Customers had positive experiences with user experience, consistently praising the fantastic mobile... See more

Facilities

Customers consistently note positive experiences with facilities, highlighting the top-notch hygiene,... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

"We were thoroughly satisfied with the services provided by this nursery. The caregivers were kind, caring, and attentive to the children's needs. Our child was happy and content during their time the... See more

Company replied

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

As a grandparent i regularly visit x3 different nursery groups 2 of which are bright colorful friendly places ,they organise simple outings,encourage independance and provide interesting and varied me... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Our daughter attend bright horizons Purley and I'm consistently impressed with the real care and imagination of the staff. They've helped her develop in confidence and she loves going to nursery and i... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing nursery, friendly colleagues they are really passionate about the children & their developmental needs. I find the App a great tool to use for many reasons update on daily activities & food m... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Nursery School
  2. Elementary School
  3. Play School
  4. Preschool

About Bright Horizons UK

Written by the company

Bright Horizons UK

Bright Horizons has been trusted by families for over 30 years and is one of the UK's leading childcare providers. With more than 270 nurseries nationwide, we offer safe, welcoming environments where children from three months to five years can learn, play, and grow.

Our nurseries follow the Nurture Approach and Bright Beginnings Curriculum, created by early years specialists to inspire curiosity, build confidence, and prepare every child for the next stage of their journey. Parents regularly share how much they value the warmth of our staff, the quality of care, and the reassurance that their child is happy and thriving each day.

What makes us different is our people. Our dedicated teams are passionate about creating strong bonds with families and providing opportunities for children to flourish. Alongside our nurseries, we also support families through flexible Work+Family solutions, making Bright Horizons one of the most comprehensive childcare providers in the UK.

We are proud to be recommended by parents across the country, creating brighter futures, one child and one family at a time.


Why Families Choose Bright Horizons

  • Settling-in sessions
  • Flexible session patterns
  • Nutritious meals and essential items
  • Support with funded hours and Tax-Free Childcare
  • Exceptional care for children from babies through to preschool
  • Clear communication and partnership with parents

Find a Nursery


Visit a Bright Horizons Nursery

When you visit, our nursery teams will talk you through the options available and help you understand what works best for your family.

Choosing childcare is a big decision — and we know every family's needs are different. That's why we encourage parents to visit a Bright Horizons nursery in person.

On Your Tour, You Can:

  • Meet the amazing practitioners who would care for your child
  • See the rooms, outdoor spaces and daily routines
  • Ask questions, explore funding options and discover next steps

Book a Tour


Back-Up Care

You don't have to choose between work and family. Back-Up Care steps in when your usual care falls through—vetted, insured, and stress-free.

How It Works

If your employer offers it, you're covered. Book same-day or advance care for children, elders or pets in just a few clicks.

What To Do Now

  • Check if your employer already provides Back-Up Care
  • Learn how it works and what's included
  • Share this with HR if you don't have it yet

Find out more


Contact info


3.9

Great

TrustScore 4 out of 5

173 reviews

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3.9

All reviews

(173)

105 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Awful pre school in Cheshire

Awful pre school in Cheshire! My daughter never wanted to go & she told me a member of staff told her horrible, nasty comments, I made a complaint, nothing was done! Manager was useless & unprofessional! Not recommended!

0 stars!!!

April 5, 2022
Unprompted review
Bright Horizons UK logo

Reply from Bright Horizons UK

Thank you for taking the time to share feedback on your experience, we are sorry the communication has fallen below expectations and we will connect with the nursery team. We would welcome the opportunity to receive further details about your experience and would kindly ask for you to contact ukcomplaints@brighthorizons.com so we can support you further.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

If I could give 0 stars I would

If I could give 0 stars I would. This nursery messed me around with timings meaning I missed my return to work date and had to use up all my mat leave holiday allowance in one go; they took my preschooler without once seeking information on him prior to him starting - I had to send him in on his first day with a hand written letter introducing him and his likes/dislikes/toilet situation etc; they went to great lengths to make me sign every single food I was happy for my 1yo to eat, accepted he needed to be dairy free and then came back a couple of weeks later and told me I had to get written proof from a doctor that he should be dairy free. When I asked what would happen if I didn’t, they said they would report me to head office.
I could never get a clear figure on how much their charge was per month and they consistently gave me inaccurate charges (excluding our free hour allowance) and were impossible to get hold of to discuss finances. When I finally had enough and withdrew both kids, I chased and chased to get final invoice. The manager finally told me what it was and I paid it. 6 months later, after no communication from them, I have just been contacted by debt collectors saying I owe them money.
This company is shamefully badly run and should not be trusted with children. It is purely focused on maximising fees, minimising costs, and doing the bare minimum to support the children. At the next nursery we joined the staff told us completely independently that the BH staff are aware it’s just all about the profit. Avoid at all costs.

March 11, 2022
Unprompted review
Bright Horizons UK logo

Reply from Bright Horizons UK

Thank you for taking the time to share feedback with us. Please be assured that our priority is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children entrusted to us and we are reviewing your comments. We would welcome the opportunity to receive further details about your experience and would kindly ask for you to contact ukcomplaints@brighthorizons.com.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

DO NOT USE THEIR BACK UP CARE SERVICE

Very poor service. Most of the time they don’t have availability. So they shouldn’t claim to be emergency back up care. Also most of the nannies are inexperienced and untrained! Terrible if you think you can leave them alone with your kids.
Don’t waste your time!

September 17, 2021
Unprompted review
Bright Horizons UK logo

Reply from Bright Horizons UK

We are sorry to read this. We are aware our team are in contact with you regarding your concerns.

Kind Regards,
Bright Horizons

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The service is unacceptable

The service is unacceptable, nannies are very incompetent and can do more harm than good. There are no rattings for nannies and customer most often gets a nanny randomly allocated. Randomly means that they get all the left overs as good nannies are often preoccupied. This is a parttime job for nannies that can't get a full time on their own in the expense of the family taking the risk.

AVOID THE RISK

September 17, 2021
Unprompted review
Bright Horizons UK logo

Reply from Bright Horizons UK

We are aware that our team have made contact with you regarding your concerns with our BACK UP care service.

Kind Regards,
Bright Horizons

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ridiculous

I have received an advertising email from Emma’s diary saying that they are offering FREE stay and play sessions so I wanted to take the opportunity to see the nursery if it’s suitable for my little one.
I had to call them as no one replied my online enquiry but no one answered.
They called be back and I was told that they don’t do any of the sessions advertised.
I was told that I am not allowed to see the nursery and I would need to leave my child at the entrance. How wierd is that?
I will definitely avoid Tabard Street nursery and the company!

September 6, 2021
Unprompted review
Bright Horizons UK logo

Reply from Bright Horizons UK

Hi Carla,

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We are sorry you experienced this. Please send your contact details to our team at ukcomplaints@brighthorizons.com, we will then get in touch and get you booked in for a personal tour of the nursery.

Kind Regards,
Katherine

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

AVOID

Year ago we filled our application to the nursery and after one year no any news. Rude, weird customer services. Our documents gone somewhere, please stay away from this place. Child without nursery, thanks fo awful service ever had. AVOID, NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL.

August 25, 2021
Unprompted review
Bright Horizons UK logo

Reply from Bright Horizons UK

Hi Ruth,

We are really sorry to read you had this experience. If you could send your info over to our team, with details of the nursery you wish to view and register and we will get this sorted for you asap.

Our email is ukcomplaints@brighthorizons.com

Kind Regards,
Katherine

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Avoid

Unfortunately, we had a bad experience at this nursery chain. They have serious issues with cleanliness, attention to children, and communication with parents. We moved to another nursery and we only then realized how bad it was. Note: the baby room was good and we had fewer issues there.

August 23, 2021
Unprompted review
Bright Horizons UK logo

Reply from Bright Horizons UK

Hi Jonathan,

We are really sorry to read this, We would like the opportunity to discuss this further and gain insight into which setting you attended.

If you can send your contact details over to ukcomplaints@brighthorizons.com.

Kind Regards,
Katherine

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

DO NOT TAKE Up Their backup care

DO NOT TAKE Up Their backup care, their customer service, booking service is horrible, you will not get through them for hours and hours and their agents as much as they speak well, it goes to an American call centre and they are horrible in communication.

August 3, 2021
Unprompted review
Bright Horizons UK logo

Reply from Bright Horizons UK

We are sorry to read you have had this experience and can assure you that this is not standard customer service with our Back Up team.
Your feedback will go back to the Team's Manager to review.

Kind Regards,
Katherine

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Useless back-up care service.

Useless back-up care service.
You book a back-up care service but they have no availability most of the times you ask in the Canary Wharf area. So why do you exist if you cannot provide the service you advertise?

July 30, 2021
Unprompted review
Bright Horizons UK logo

Reply from Bright Horizons UK

We are sorry you read you have had this experience.
Your comments will be fed back to the Back Up Team Manager.

Kind Regards,
Katherine

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

To the parents:

To the parents:
My child had been this nursery for two years. And the manager in east barnet London not a caring person. She did not help parents with payments and ignoring my emails and calls during the lockdown. I was trying to pay the nursery every month by email and phones. She just totally igored me for 6 months.Her behavior already made me the loss for the universal credit which is about 3000 pounds because of her carelessness. She always tried to explain the matter was not her fault. Do not send your child to this nursery. Totally unhelpful and try to avoid their responsibility. I would like to give 0 star on this nursery!

June 16, 2021
Unprompted review
Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Good quality chain with poor recycling facilities

This is an absolute superb chain, especially the ones in the Didcot area as the buildings are divine & spacious. I have worked at various nurseries and preschools through agency work & I really like the atmosphere and approach within Bright horizons. I can see the cohesion among the different locations within this chain, the expectations & toys are the same. At Didcot the rooms are filled with windows into the other classrooms so it feels spacious & United. The food is nutritious. The children are well looked after and stimulated. There’s lots of empathy & kindness & the children seem very happy & well behaved.
The ONLY point I think that NEEDS to be addressed is amount of waste & lack of recycling. Of course it’s expected there’ll be some food waste, however there’s no food recycling facilities & this is apparent with all the other materials which are vastly wasted & NOT recycled such as plastics & paper, etc.. If the managers & directors rectified this issue which is a global concern, then I feel it would be even more so competitive.

June 11, 2021
Unprompted review
Bright Horizons UK logo

Reply from Bright Horizons UK

Thank you for your review. We are always looking at more ways to be more sustainable as a company. Your helpful comments will be fed back.

Kind Regards,
Katherine

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