Puddleducks is a purpose-built day nursery in Belfast which offers bespoke, exciting, and carefree environments in which your child will flourish and thrive.
Located in the heart of the city, Puddleducks is easily accessible by public transport and the main motorway links. We have a private car park to make it convenient and easy to drop off and pick up your little duckling.
We have bespoke, age-appropriate playrooms as well as a unique 19 x 12 metre indoor play area. At Puddleducks we really appreciate the benefits of outdoor play; our carefully designed multi-surface outdoor play area will allow children to enjoy the fresh air and enrich their learning opportunities in a safe, secure, and exciting way.
The nursery is a social economy business operated by Belfast Central Mission, The team here reinvests any proceeds into developing not only our award-winning service, but also our wider charitable work within Northern Ireland.
For 2025, make a splash with Puddleducks as your childcare provider of choice!
“Early childhood offers a critical window of opportunity to shape the trajectory of a child’s holistic development and build a foundation for their future. For children to achieve their full potential, as is their human right, they need health care and nutrition, protection from harm and a sense of security, opportunities for early learning, and responsive caregiving – like talking, singing and playing – with parents and caregivers who love them. All of this is needed to nourish developing brains and fuel growing bodies.
The quality of a child’s early experiences makes a critical difference as their brains develop, providing either strong or weak foundations for learning, health and behaviour throughout life.” UNICEF (2023)
We are registered and inspected by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust to provide full day care to up to 70 children (daily). Our Nursery is divided into 4 unique rooms – each equipped with a wide range and variety of age appropriate resources to maximise the potential of each little duck.
We understand that leaving your precious bundle with us can be an emotional time for any parent/carer. Our team have a wealth of experience and are experts in helping your little duck to settle into our Puddleducks’ family. We feel that you may be reassured if you had an idea of what to expect in the 1st few days/weeks…however, all children are different and will be treated as the unique child they are.
Friendship!
Puddleducks is a sociable environment where your child will learn social skills to enable them to build positive relationships with other children and our team.
Tears on the first day…
…although the second/third day may be more challenging as they realise that Puddleducks is the place where someone other than you cares for them.
A change in routine…
… and sleeping pattern etc. We try to maintain the child’s home routine when possible . However, Puddleducks presents a new, busy, and stimulating environment, which can impact on the child’s existing routine.
Changes in eating habits…
…or not eating/taking bottles for a few weeks. This is one
of the most common behaviours for a new child in a nursery and is often the last thing to fall into place. A child needs to feel confident with the staff and trust them to know that the food they are providing is ok for them.
Positive Habits!
Your child will develop many positive habits. Tidying up, washing their hands, how to use a knife and fork, how to put on their own coat and shoes and how to offer help and support to their friends if/when needed.
Healthy Eating!
We provide a very healthy varied menu and your child will have the opportunity to sample lots of different foods. Parents have often commented that their child “would never eat that at home”. Meal times are social occasions in Puddleducks and children often eat things they wouldn’t normally try.
