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Dockside Day Nursery & Pre-School

Ofsted: Expected standard·
3.9(8 parent reviews) ·Unit N1 Dockside Outlet Centre, Maritime Way, Chatham, ME4 3ED · Medway
Number of places
107 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2026
Local authority
Medway

About this day nursery

Dockside Day Nursery & Pre-School, located in Chatham, has been providing childcare since 2018 for children aged 0-4 years. The nursery operates Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 19:00.

In their latest inspection on 19th February 2026, Ofsted rated the nursery as 'Good', highlighting that safeguarding standards are met and a strong culture of safeguarding exists. The dedicated team at Dockside Day Nursery & Pre-School prioritises an inclusive environment, welcoming all children and families.

They have developed a new curriculum with a specific focus on language and vocabulary skills, ensuring children benefit from activities like songs, rhymes, and library visits to foster a love of reading. The nursery ensures all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make positive progress through tailored support and strong partnerships with other professionals.

Children enjoy exploring their local community through trips, fostering curiosity about the natural world, and engaging in outdoor activities like building models and observing birds with binoculars.

What it's like

Children and their families are at the heart of this unique setting, where children feel included and benefit from strong emotional support. They engage in a range of trips to explore their local community and develop an understanding of the world around them, fostering curiosity about the natural world. The curriculum prioritises communication, physical, and mathematical skills, with staff providing various opportunities for learning and development.

Inclusive environmentStrong safeguarding cultureFocus on language skills

Pricing & funding

Dockside Day Nursery charges based on full-day and half-day sessions, operating fifty-one weeks of the year. Fees include all freshly prepared meals, drinks, and snacks. Government funding is accepted for eligible children, subject to an additional meals and materials charge.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
  • Full day session£87 / day
  • Half day session (morning)£57 / session
  • Half day session (afternoon)£57 / session
  • Registration fee£50.00 / session
  • Deposit£200 / session

Good to know

  • A registration fee and deposit are required to secure a place.
  • Fees are billed monthly in advance, payable by direct debit or tax-free childcare.
  • Minimum booking of two full days or three half days per week is required.
  • No refunds are given for sickness or holidays.
  • The nursery is closed on bank holidays, which are fully chargeable.
  • Discounts are available for siblings, NHS/Emergency Services, and full-time bookings.

Key facts

Opening hours

8am - 6pm, 52 Weeks A Year

Established

2018

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Feb 2026

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
—
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionExpected standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
0 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Dockside Day Nursery & Pre-School

Last inspected 19 February 2026

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

Children and their families are at the heart of this unique setting, where children feel included and benefit from strong emotional support. They engage in a range of trips to explore their local community and develop an understanding of the world around them, fostering curiosity about the natural world. The curriculum prioritises communication, physical, and mathematical skills, with staff providing various opportunities for learning and development.

Inspector highlights

  • Children make positive progress from their starting points, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
  • Children demonstrate respect for their friends with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
  • Leaders and staff have created a new curriculum specifically prioritising developing children's language and vocabulary skills.
  • An inclusive environment is created where all children and families are welcomed by friendly and caring staff.
  • Leaders fully understand the setting's context, strengths and areas of focus, and are committed to providing high-quality care and education.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should help staff to recognise how to support children further during key transition and routine times to support children's individual needs further.
  • 2Leaders should strengthen staff's knowledge and understanding to further support children's engagement and focus, especially for those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who face barriers to learning.
  • 3Leaders should enhance information-sharing with parents to support their children's learning further at home.
Inspection #10190983 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who may face barriers to their learning, make positive progress from their starting points. Leaders and staff work well with other professionals and specialists to support children's individual needs, and leaders are good roles in supporting staff to understand the graduated approach. They are committed to providing quality care and education, ensuring children are provided with a range of opportunities to develop their personal and social skills.

Outdoor space

Older children enthusiastically engage in outdoor activities, such as creating large-scale models and using binoculars to observe different bird species. They also work together to build structures with various-sized guttering, while others learn to maneuver bikes and scooters.

Parent Reviews of Dockside Day Nursery & Pre-School

3.9
(8)
Victoria Bricknell
10 months ago

Wonderful nursery. My now almost 3 year old toddler has been attending since 9-months old. Child centred & professional approach. Friendly & enthusiastic staff. Attentive to my toddlers needs. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Dockside Day Nursery & Pre-School. Thank you for all you do!

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Marie T
a year ago

Its a while since my son went here. Sharon was managing at the time. Unfortunately although the facilities were good and the place was clean, the care was not great. We removed our son after we found out that he had been shut in the tiny nursery room with the little babies without consulting us because he wasn’t progressing fast enough with walking. We found out that he had spent that day and we suspect previous days from what he told us, staring through a locked gate watching his friends play on the slide. He was on some occasions sent home with a dirty full nappy, often with poo. We were kept at arm’s length from the nursery at drop off and pick up and we now wonder if it’s because of what we could have seen. We got him a nanny after our experience here and within a few days of her care he was a much happier little boy. The difference in him was remarkable and filled me with guilt for how he must have felt at this nursery.

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Simone Guerra
2 years ago

happy with Dockside day Nursery staff are friendly always happy to answer any queries I may have,my daughter is developing well and always happy coming to the Nursery she was very shy when she first joined but now she is talking a lot she is coming out of her shell so this Nursery is doing her good Thank you to all the staff

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Monty theGod
a year ago

Amazing space for learning, kids are always happy and involved and staff always smiling, great atmosphere too :)

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Halina Marsh
5 years ago

What a wonderful place, staff are so incredibly friendly. Sharon Lucas the manager is exceptional at her job. Really cares. Amazing place.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Dockside Day Nursery & Pre-School. See all on Google Maps

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