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Almond Bud Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2023)
·
4.3(17 parent reviews) ·44-45 Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BA · Kent
Number of places
66 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2023
Local authority
Kent

About this day nursery

Almond Bud Day Nursery, located near Gravesend railway station, provides a vibrant and dynamic "Home away from Home" atmosphere for children aged 3 months to 5 years. The nursery focuses on creating a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment where every child feels valued, respected, and empowered to learn and grow.

Their dedicated team of educators offers high-quality care and early childhood education, grounding their practices in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and Development Matters guidance. The curriculum is designed to equip children with the skills and knowledge needed to explore and understand the world, promoting independence and confidence.

The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 6:30 pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and a short period between Christmas and New Year. They welcome prospective parents to book a visit to experience their warm and nurturing setting.

Our ethos

Almond Bud Day Nursery aims to be a "Home away from Home," fostering a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment where children feel valued, respected, and empowered. Their educational practices are grounded in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and Development Matters guidance, focusing on developing independence and confidence.

What it's like

Children feel happy and safe and receive a warm welcome from caring, nurturing staff. They are settled, quickly engage in well-planned play, make continued progress across the seven areas of learning, and staff have high expectations for all children, including those with SEND.

A Home away from Home AtmosphereFocus on Early Years Foundation StageNurturing and Inclusive EnvironmentExperienced and Qualified StaffConvenient Location

Pricing & funding

Fees are annualised over 12 months, with government funding stretched over 50 weeks of the year. Standard fees are all-inclusive of meals, snacks, and drinks, though extra meal charges apply during funded-only hours. A sibling discount is offered, and full fees remain payable during absences.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
  • Application processing fee£20 / session
  • Registration Deposit£200 / session
  • Registration Fee£40 / session
  • Deposit£220 / session
  • Baby Buds (3 months to 2-year-olds) - 5 days full price£1844 / month

Good to know

  • A non-refundable application fee and registration fee apply.
  • A refundable deposit is required, subject to a three-month minimum attendance and one month's notice.
  • Fees are payable monthly in advance via standing order, and childcare vouchers are accepted.
  • Eldest sibling receives a 10% discount when attending the same sessions.
  • No refunds or discounts are given for non-attendance due to illness or holidays.
  • Government funding is stretched over 50 weeks, with additional charges applying for meals.

Key facts

Food

Fees include meals, healthy snacks, fresh milk, drinks and fruit. Morning sessions include breakfast, mid-morning snack, and a two course hot lunch. Afternoon sessions include mid-afternoon snack, and a light tea.

Waitlist

Maintain our waiting list taking age and availability into consideration.

Opening hours

Monday – Friday from 7.00am to 6.30pm

Age range

3 months to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Session types

Full Day, AM Session, PM Session

Established

2020

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Almond Bud Day Nursery

Last inspected 5 January 2023 · Nicky Webb

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children feel happy and safe and receive a warm welcome from caring, nurturing staff. They are settled, quickly engage in well-planned play, make continued progress across the seven areas of learning, and staff have high expectations for all children, including those with SEND.

Inspector highlights

  • Children feel happy and safe and receive a warm welcome from staff
  • Staff know their key children well and plan an effective curriculum around interests
  • Children make continued progress across the seven areas of learning
  • Parent partnerships are a strength, with regular updates and consultations
  • The provider values and promotes diversity through cultural learning

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to develop their knowledge to enable them to plan suitably challenging activities
  • 2improve teaching so that children develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe online
Inspection #10264721 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. The special educational needs coordinator ensures that personalised support is implemented to meet individual children's needs.

Outdoor space

Children happily separate from their parents in the garden on arrival and quickly engage in their play. Children must mount several flights of stairs to access the garden and are reminded by staff about how to keep themselves safe.

Parent Reviews of Almond Bud Day Nursery

4.3
(17)
Sophie Southin
4 months ago

My child goes to almond budd nursery and my mind is so eased him being there. The staff are so so friendly and really care for my child on a one to one basis, all the children are looked after so well and I’m so so please that I picked almond bud. Communication is great and we also have an app where we get to see pictures of our children, updates and also newsletters of events coming up. Their care is person-centred and they care for each child they look after! I go to work with peace in my mind knowing that my child is looked after. If I ever need to call they answer the phone and tell me about my child’s day. A very well-led facility. Thank you almond Budd! Your work hasn’t gone unnoticed! We appreciate you! :)

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Gurvinder Kaur
a year ago

Would highly recommend this nursery. Was very anxious placing our little one in nursery but the staff reassured me and still continue to do so. They are highly experienced and really care about the children. Our little one has learnt so much in the time that he has been attending Almond Bud. Positive experience so far.

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Anne-Kennory Kim
2 years ago

Both my little ones have been to Almond Bud Nursery. They always have been very happy to attend. The place is safe, clean, children do lots of sensory activities and the garden is amazing, big, with lots of options to develop their skills and spend their energy. Also there is always someone available for their emotional needs. The staff is friendly, experienced, trained and always smiling. My kids had fun and made very good friends. And Graduation Day was such a great moment ! Thank you so much Almond Bud Nursery for taking care of my little buds !

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opemipo agosu
2 years ago

My Son enjoyed every moment he spent at the Nursery… Moments with the teachers, friends, the classroom,the toys and food! I am grateful to the staff for the constant help they provide for the children. Everything my Son needed to start off big school was instilled in him at Almond Bud. We felt at home, and I was always at rest whenever my Son was at the Nursery. I had no reason to panic because his safety was always guaranteed! My Son is in a big school now and he misses Almond Bud Day Nursery every day. And yes!!! The graduation ceremony was the best! Thank you ALMOND BUD DAY NURSERY!!! I would recommend this place to children over and over again!

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Deborah Idowu
2 years ago

My Son goes to Almond Bud Nursery and he absolutely loves it. The staff are warm, knowledgeable and patient with him. When I drop him to nursery I have full confidence in the staff to look after his wellbeing. The nursery has a lovely, pleasant and inviting environment which was something really important to us when choosing a nursery.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Almond Bud Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

5 January 2023

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Almond Bud Day Nursery

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more