Skip to main content
🦁Welcome to Our Safari Family

Your Child's Adventure
Starts Here

For 20 years, we've been nurturing little explorers across Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. No hidden fees. No complicated funding. Just exceptional childcare.

Apply NowBook a Tour

Our Story

A family business built on love, dedication, and a passion for early years education.

1st Safari Day Nurseries began over 20 years ago when directors Nick and Anthea Porter had a simple dream: to create the kind of nursery they'd want for their own children.

What started as one setting has grown into a family of 7 amazing nurseries across Yorkshire and Greater Manchester - but we've never lost that family feel. Every member of staff, from managers to practitioners, shares our belief that every child deserves the best possible start in life.

Today, we're proud to offer exceptional childcare with no gimmicks, no hidden costs, and no complicated funding arrangements. Just warm, nurturing environments where your little one can learn, play, and grow into the amazing person they're meant to be.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

A True Family Business

20
Years Experience
7
Nursery Locations
100+
Dedicated Staff
1000s
Happy Families
💰
✓
🎉 The 1st Safari Promise

No Additional Fees on
Government Funding

When you're entitled to funded hours, that's exactly what you get. No top-ups. No hidden charges. No "consumables fees." Your funded hours are completely free - as they should be.

🍎

All Meals Included

3 meals (breakfast, lunch & tea) plus 2 snacks daily - all included

🎨

All Activities

Every activity, resource, and experience is covered

📋

No Hidden Costs

What you see is what you get - transparent pricing always

Funding Made Simple

We handle all the paperwork. You just enjoy watching your little one thrive.

👶

2-Year-Old Funding

15 hours free for eligible families

No additional charges

🌟

15 Hours Universal

All 3-4 year olds qualify

No additional charges

🚀

30 Hours Extended

For working parents

No additional charges

💳

Tax-Free Childcare

Government pays 20%

We're fully registered

Not sure what you're entitled to? We'll help you figure it out!

View Full Fee Structure
🕐Session Options

Flexible to Fit Your Family

We understand every family is different. That's why we offer a range of session options to suit your needs.

🌅

Morning Session

8:00am – 1:00pm

5 hours including breakfast & lunch

🌤️

Afternoon Session

1:00pm – 6:00pm

5 hours including snacks & tea

☀️

Full Day

8:00am – 6:00pm

10 hours including all meals

🕐

Short Day

8:30am – 4:00pm

7.5 hours including all meals

⏰

Early Start Option

Need to drop off before 8:00am? Most of our nurseries open from 7:30am with early start sessions available for an additional charge.

Early start availability and pricing varies by nursery - check your nursery's fee page for details.

⏳

Additional Hours

Need extra time beyond your session or funded hours? Additional hours can be arranged at a standard hourly rate, by prior agreement with your nursery.

Funding hours are only available between 8:00am and 6:00pm. Hours outside this window are charged separately.

🚌For 5+ Year Olds

Wrap Around Care

For children aged 5 and over, some of our nurseries offer Wrap Around Care - the perfect solution for working parents with school-age children.

Contact your nursery for pricing and availability.

What's included:

  • ✓Morning drop-off – Bring your child to nursery before school
  • ✓School run – We take your child to school
  • ✓Afternoon collection – We collect them from school
  • ✓After-school care – Stay at our Out of School Club (OOSC) until you collect them
View Nursery-Specific Fees

What Makes Us Different

🏠

Family Feel

Family-run for 20 years. We know your child's name, their favourite toy, and what makes them smile.

👩‍🏫

Expert Staff

Qualified, passionate practitioners who genuinely love what they do. Many have been with us for years.

🌳

Outdoor Learning

Come rain or shine, we believe nature is the best classroom. Muddy puddles welcome!

🍽️

Home-Cooked Meals

Fresh, nutritious food prepared daily. Halal, vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly options always available.

📝

Daily Updates

Written contact sheets every day so you never miss a moment of your child's adventures.

🚪

Open Door Policy

Pop in anytime. Call anytime. We believe in complete transparency with families.

🍽️Nutrition & Mealtimes

Fuelling Little Explorers

Daily we provide 3 freshly prepared meals (breakfast, lunch and tea) plus 2 healthy snacks - all home-cooked in our kitchens and included at no extra cost.

What Your Child Eats Each Day

🌅

Breakfast

Cereals, porridge, toast or fruit

🍎

Morning Snack

Fresh fruit, crackers or veggie sticks

🍝

Lunch

Hot meal with pudding

🥨

Afternoon Snack

Crumpets, fruit or light bites

🍲

Tea Time

Freshly prepared meal with pudding

Sample Weekly Menu

From our rotating 4-week menu - fresh, varied, and delicious!

Monday

🌅Breakfast

Cereals & Raisins

🍎AM Snack

Fresh Fruit

🍝Lunch

Cottage Pie & Veg

+ Angel Delight

🥨PM Snack

Toast & Fruit

🍲Tea

Cheesy Chicken Pasta

+ Fruit Salad

Tuesday

🌅Breakfast

Porridge

🍎AM Snack

Crumpets & Pear

🍝Lunch

Sweet & Sour Chicken

+ Fruit Crumble

🥨PM Snack

Fresh Fruit

🍲Tea

Scrambled Egg on Toast

+ Yoghurt

Wednesday

🌅Breakfast

Toast

🍎AM Snack

Fresh Fruit

🍝Lunch

Sausage Surprise

+ Rice Pudding

🥨PM Snack

Crisp Bread & Fruit

🍲Tea

Fish Fingers & Beans

+ Banana Buns

Thursday

🌅Breakfast

Cereals & Fruit

🍎AM Snack

Pitta & Cheese

🍝Lunch

Fish Curry & Rice

+ Banana Custard

🥨PM Snack

Fresh Fruit

🍲Tea

Homemade Veg Soup

+ Fruit Cheesecake

Friday

🌅Breakfast

Cereals & Fruit

🍎AM Snack

Veggie Sticks

🍝Lunch

Cheese & Potato Pie

+ Jam Biscuits

🥨PM Snack

Currant Teacakes

🍲Tea

Tuna Sandwiches

+ Flapjack

Menu rotates every 4 weeks for variety. Halal and dietary alternatives always available.

🥬

Dietary Requirements

We cater for all dietary needs with care and attention. Whether your child requires:

  • ✓ Halal meals - always available
  • ✓ Vegetarian options
  • ✓ Vegan alternatives
  • ✓ Allergy-friendly meals
  • ✓ Cultural or religious requirements

Just let us know your child's needs during registration and we'll take care of everything.

👨‍🍳

Freshly Prepared Daily

Our dedicated kitchen teams prepare everything on site each day:

  • ✓ No processed ready meals
  • ✓ Fresh ingredients sourced locally where possible
  • ✓ Balanced, nutritious recipes
  • ✓ Child-friendly portions
  • ✓ Homemade puddings and bakes

Committed to Healthy Eating

We follow recognised healthy eating programmes to give your child the best nutritional start in life.

🌱

HENRY Programme

Health, Exercise & Nutrition for the Really Young

The HENRY approach helps us create healthy eating habits that last a lifetime. Our staff are trained to:

  • • Encourage positive relationships with food
  • • Support age-appropriate portion sizes
  • • Create calm, happy mealtimes
  • • Involve children in food activities
🥗

Food for Life

Soil Association Early Years Programme

We're inspired by the Food for Life principles, working towards creating positive food cultures:

  • • Teaching children where food comes from
  • • Growing vegetables in our gardens
  • • Cooking activities with children
  • • Encouraging healthy choices for life

Our menus meet government Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidelines.

A Day in the Life

Every day is an adventure at 1st Safari!

🌅 Morning Adventures

(8am - 1pm)

  • 8:00Healthy breakfast together
  • 9:30Circle time, songs and stories
  • 10:00Morning snack and learning activities
  • 11:00Outdoor play and exploration
  • 12:00Lunch time

🌙 Afternoon Explorations

(1pm - 6pm)

  • 13:00Rest time and quiet activities
  • 14:00Afternoon snack and outdoor adventures
  • 15:00Group activities, music and movement
  • 16:00Tea time - freshly prepared meal
  • 17:00Wind-down time and home preparation
🦁
🐘

Ready to Join Our Safari Family?

Spaces fill up fast! Apply today to secure your child's place at one of our 7 amazing nurseries. We'll guide you through every step of the process.

Apply NowBook a Tour First

Questions? Find your nursery to call them directly, orsend us a message

Common Questions

What ages do you accept?

We welcome children from 3 months old up to 5 years (school age). Each nursery has dedicated rooms for different age groups. Younger children may be accepted on a request basis.

What are your opening hours?

All nurseries are open Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year (closed for one week at Christmas and bank holidays). Core hours are 8:00am to 6:00pm, with early start options from 7:30am (or 7:45am at Mazehill) available at most nurseries for an additional charge.

Are meals included?

Yes! Children receive 3 meals (breakfast, lunch and tea) plus 2 snacks every day - all freshly prepared in our kitchens. This is included in both funded and paid hours with no extra charge.

How do I check my funding eligibility?

Just ask us! We'll help you check your eligibility and handle all the paperwork. You can also check at childcarechoices.gov.uk

Got more questions?

Get in Touch