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Choochoos Day Nursery in Canterbury

Ofsted: Good
(Mar 2022)
·
5.0(6 parent reviews) ·50 Mill Lane, Harbledown, Canterbury, CT2 8NE · Kent
Number of places
79 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2022
Local authority
Kent

About this day nursery

Apricot Day Nursery, located in St Neots, offers a nurturing and intimate environment for children's development. The nursery focuses on fostering cognitive, social, and physical growth, boosting confidence, and preparing children for school through a Montessori-inspired approach.

They provide flexible benefits to families, including not charging for food, enhancements, or consumables, and offer fully and part-funded sessions for eligible families. The nursery operates across two sites, with a separate pre-school for older children.

They prioritise a strong partnership with families, ensuring individual needs are met and children become capable learners and communicators. Their 'Next Stop School' programme helps children develop the social skills and independence necessary for primary school, even providing a £30 Clarks voucher for school shoes to graduating children.

The nursery boasts well-equipped rooms with natural resources to stimulate senses and encourage independent learning through discovery. They emphasise outdoor learning with direct access to age-appropriate play areas, regardless of weather.

The curriculum is enriched with various activities and clubs promoting creativity, exploration, and collaboration, such as cookery, movement, art, music, gardening, and science.

Our ethos

At our St Neots children’s day nursery, we follow the Montessori approach in a home-from-home environment. The children in our care learn through play, and the passionate team at our nursery offer children a variety of activities and learning opportunities every day related to their individual interests, ensuring no two days are ever the same. We know how special – and sometimes daunting – the transition to school can be for both children and parents. That’s why at our Pre-School, our Next Stop School programme helps little ones develop the confidence, social skills, and independence they need, with plenty of support along the way to ensure they’re more than ready for this exciting next step.

What it's like

Children enthusiastically run up the path to the nursery, happy and ready to learn. Children demonstrate a positive attitude to learning and can freely choose activities, engaging in a variety of experiences.

Montessori ApproachOutdoor LearningNext Stop School ProgrammeNo extra charges for food or enhancementsParent Communication

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Food

Meals prepared on-site, no charge. Caters to dietary requirements.

Opening hours

7.30am - 6.30pm

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Choochoos Day Nursery

Last inspected 1 March 2022 · Pippa Clark

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children enthusiastically run up the path to the nursery, happy and ready to learn. Children demonstrate a positive attitude to learning and can freely choose activities, engaging in a variety of experiences.

Inspector highlights

  • Managers have recently implemented a nappy changing audit to ensure the nappy changing procedure is robust in safeguarding children.
  • Babies physical development is promoted well, as they enjoy exploring a range of sensory activities.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well, with staff identifying gaps in learning and supporting parents.
  • The key-person system supports children's personal and emotional development, helping them to trust adults and form secure relationships.
  • Children have a range of opportunities to experience and find out about the world around them, including outings and visitors.

Areas to develop

  • 1improve the organisation of staff to fully support the needs of all children, particularly younger children
  • 2develop how staff support children's learning to ensure it is consistent, particularly when promoting children's language.
Inspection #10216300 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Staff identify gaps in children's learning and support parents to promote their development at home. Funding is used to provide additional staff support for children who need it. As a result, children are making good progress.

Outdoor space

Children have access to a secure outdoor area all day and staff plan time outside for babies to enjoy fresh air daily. Children have space to practise their physical skills, being supported to peddle tricycles and having room to run.

Parent Reviews of Choochoos Day Nursery

5.0
(6)
Stockers1975
4 months ago

Choochoos is an amazing nursery. The staff are caring attentive and meet all the children's needs. Our daughter aged 2, has been there since she was a baby. All our family and friends are amazed how she interacts so confidentially, can do her ABCs (all the way to Z) and count up to 18. Our little girl loves the indoor and outdoor areas. There is lots of interactive play, singing, painting, drawing, reading areas all of which which the children love. The staff provide daily feedback and pictures via a highly secure parent app that you can look up while at work. Parents are regularly invited to stay and play events. The food provided is cooked on site with fresh ingredients delivered daily. The .ilk doesnt come from a supermarket but a prestigious indepedent high value dairy which we use as a result. The chef comes up with fantastic nutritious food with a constant differing selection of food that frankly make me jealous. I couldn't think of a better place to send out precious daughter and cannot praise the staff here enough.

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Sch P
a year ago

Our daughter was with Choochoo's for 10 months in the baby room but due to a home move we had to move nurseries. We are going to dearly miss Chloe and the other ladies in the baby room (and manager Meg!) Our daughter was given great care & attention, her development blossomed each time she visited. The daily updates on the app were welcome to us as nervous new parents. Chloe had a keen eye for new changes in behaviour and was a consistent, brilliant influence. Everyone did a great job in getting to know our baby. Management was also flexible with us when we had varying needs & requests! They are truly exceptional. We wish the staff at Choochoos Canterbury all the best!!

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Karen knight
11 months ago

My youngest grandchild is due to leave as he's going to school I September and I feel very sad. My son and hus wife have been so happy with his progress and care He is now school ready and we are all sad to see our journey with Choochoos end. His elder brother attended and too wad happy and learned a lot. The nursery cares and ensures all children develop. If extra support is needed the girls and SENCO put all in place with consultation with parents and professionals. My eldest needed support with several areas and it was given before it became a problem. The manager is friendly and helpful nothing is too much. The girls make the day fun and it's obvious they care fir the children. I puck up and take the children and gave felt welcomed and oart of the care of my grandchildren. I will kiss the staff, the events, the chats and above all seeing my grandchildren happy to go in make progress and eager to tell me about their day. Thanks gor being a huge part of our lives for so long.

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Sapna Reheem
2 years ago

My little one attends Choochoos and she is always in a good mood after her day at the nursery. The carers in the baby room are brilliant and I really appreciate how they take the time to brief parents during pick up about the baby’s day.

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Anna Johnson
a year ago

Wonderful nursery with caring staff who nurture the children’s development by providing exceptional activities

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Choochoos Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

1 March 2022

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 Choochoos Day Nursery

About the setting

Choochoos Day Nursery registered in 2021. It is located in Canterbury, Kent and is part of The Old Station Nursery Group. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am until 6pm all year round. Funding is accepted for the provision of free education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery has a team of 30 staff, which includes a cook and an administrator. Of these, 15 hold early years qualifications, including three who are qualified to level 6.

URN
2629640
Registered person
The Old Station Nursery Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises

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