Welcome to The Old Station Nursery

Providing a loving home away from home for your child to learn, play and grow in confidence. Working in partnership with parents.
Contact Us

We understand that leaving your child in day care can be hard.
That’s why we offer a home away from home for your child.

Based in the market town of Dromore, in County Down, Northern Ireland, The Old Station Nursery offers day care, play groups and after school clubs from 6 weeks to 12 years.

What we offer you and your child

We provide a loving, supportive environment for your child to learn, play and grow in confidence, ready to take on the next stage.
Two senior playgroup girls sitting and playing with a circular alphabet jigsaw

Supporting your child's development

We deliver learning and development through play. Your child will have access to developmental toys, be encouraged to participate in crafts, physical activity, and a host of experiences to help them grow in confidence. Our learning approach is governed by detailed planning, observations, reporting and continual assessment. We cater for all appropriate ages and stages of development.
Two boys playing in a sand tray in pre-school at The Old Station Nursery

Safe & secure homely environment

Our staff are part of The Old Station Nursery family and in turn, our staff treat your child like one of their own.

On their first day, your child will get a dedicated keyworker that will support their journey and ensure they feel safe, secure and loved. 

The Old Station Nursery, Dromore, Senior Playgroup, boys reading book together

Working in partnership with our parents

We work in partnership with you, the parents, to provide you with regular updates and support with any developmental needs. We also provide visibility of your child’s day to day activities through an online portal, MyNurseryPal.

About Us

The Old Station Nursery in Dromore, was established in 2000 by Carolyn McDonald, and is now supported by her two daughters Claire and Hollie.

The nursery is housed in the characteristic and charming old train station in Dromore. 

We offer full day care for children aged between 6 weeks and 12 years.

We run a junior and senior playgroup with government-funded pre-school places as well as  after-school wraparound care.  We provide a happy, caring, stimulating, and safe environment with warm relationships between our staff and children.

We believe this combination promotes the development of confidence in children and positive self-esteem.

Find out more…

Come Visit Us

We’d love for you to come and take a look at our facilities and meet our staff.
Carolyn, Hollie & Claire will be happy to show you around.
Arrange a tour

What makes us special

  • A mum and daughter business, offering a warm, home from home atmosphere
  • Well qualified and experienced staff – all first aid trained
  • Low turnover of staff ensuring continuity of care and trust
  • Located off the Dromore A1 exit, makes us very accessible for commuters
  • Outdoor facilities with climbing equipment
  • Nutritious, locally sourced and well balanced homemade food cooked on-site by our cook
Hollie McDonald - The Old Station Nursery
Two pre-school girls playing with alphabet jigsaw on a yellow table,

Why parents love us

Whatever stage your child joins us, we provide nurturing support from 6 weeks right up to the end of primary school. We offer complete care for your child. 
  • Wraparound care offered for our playgroup attendees
  • Pre-school government-funded places in our senior playgroup
  • After-school club with pick up service available from surrounding schools
  • CCTV in every room making sure your little ones are kept safe at all times
  • 10% discount for families in full-time care
  • Dedicated keyworkers assigned to help your child settle in

MyNurseryPal

Don’t miss out on those precious moments while you are at work. With access to an industry-leading observation management system called MyNurseryPal, you will know when they slept, what they played with and even what they ate!

Download the parent app or login in from your desktop to check on how your child is enjoying their day and even get photos and activity updates.

Log in
Toddler boy looking at a bath toy in the Toddler Nursery Room

Our Rooms

Baby & Wobbler

0-2 years

A calming and stimulating space for babies to help encourage cognitive growth. The Wobbler room is a creative fun environment helping your child grow in confidence.

Learn more…

Toddler

2-3 years

We have a spacious and fun area that enables children to choose their interests.Activities are designed to encourage their curiosity and independence with support from a dedicated staff.

Learn more…

Pre-School

3-5 years

Daycare is provided for pre-school aged children. Within the pre-school, we offer a Junior Playgroup and a Government-Funded pre-school which run in the mornings and offer a broad curriculum with structured activities. 

Learn more…

After School

4-12 years

Daily drop off and pick up service. Our after-school club provides a breakfast club, daily drop off and pick up service. After school children are given time to complete homework, get creative and have fun outdoors.

Learn more…

Our Family

Carolyn McDonald, Founder of The Old Station Nursery

Carolyn

Founder of The Old Station Nursery, Carolyn is the heart and soul of the nursery.  Back in 2000, she acknowledged a need for good quality childcare in Dromore, so set up a nursery in the disused old train station. Meeting Carolyn will give you the reassurance you need about leaving your child!
Claire Ross, Senior Playgroup Manager Headshot

Claire

Claire, our Nursery Manager and Playgroup Leader holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavioural Analysis. Claire is passionate about supporting children and their parents. Claire also runs our Government-Funded Pre-school. She is dedicated to helping parents feel supported, informed and part of their child’s journey.
Hollie headshot

Hollie

Hollie, Deputy Playgroup Leader & Office Administrator keeps the office ticking over! With a business degree, Hollie enthusiastically contributes to the success of the family business. She really enjoys her dual role within the nursery.
Our Staff
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What Our Parents Say

I was a bit nervous about my children starting a new nursery but the transition has been better than I could have hoped. 
Having the Old Station Nursery care for our most precious little people in such a loving way makes leaving them a little easier.
It is obvious that all of the staff have a genuine passion for looking after children – everyone who works there knows all of the children’s names and take an interest in them, whether they work in that particular room or not.

I cannot recommend The Old Station Nursery highly enough.

More testimonials

Take a look inside our nursery

Two boys playing in a sand tray in pre-school at The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
A girl in the pre-school playing and sorting some coloured toys into plates The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
Two boys playing in a sand tray in pre-school at The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
Girl with red painting apron cutting and sticking at table The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
Hollie McDonald - The Old Station Nursery, Dromore, Staff
Charlotte, playgroup member of staff reading to a child The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
Girl with red painting apron cutting and sticking at table
Baby playing in water tray being helped by a member of staff from The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
Toddler boy playing with bath toy The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
Baby playing on a vibrant coloured mat at The Old Station Nursery, Dromore
Baby laughing holding a paintbrush
Two toddler boys laughing over the water tray in the Toddler Room at The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
Two toddler boys laughing over the water tray in the Toddler Room at The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
Toys in baby room at The Old Station Nursery, Dromore
Boy playing in water of tray with Old Station Nursery staff member
Boy in striped t-shirt walking to the camera laughing
Toddler boy laughing out loud The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
Toddler sitting in a red toy laughing
Short haired girl laughing to camera with a blue toy The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
Two pre-school girls playing with alphabet jigsaw on a yellow table,
Two pre-school girls playing with a jigsaw on a yellow table,
The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
Girl playing in soil in the outdoor space at The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
Two pre-school girls playing with alphabet jigsaw on a yellow table, at The Old Station Nursery in Dromore
Toddler boy with blue paintbrush at The Old Station Nursery in Dromore

Top 20 Award

Proud to be independently reviewed and graded by Day Nurseries.
We received the Top 20 Nurseries Northern Ireland 2020 recognition.

Day Nurseries Top 20 Award 2020

News & Blog

Find out what we’re up to in our News & Blog section

Get in touch

Ask us anything, we love talking about our Nursery.

The Old Station Nursery
92 Church Street
Dromore
County Down
BT251AA

Opening hours
Mon-Fri: 07.15 - 18.00

t. 028 9269 8689
office@theoldstationnursery.com

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