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Little Gem's Childcare

Ofsted: Urgent improvement·105 Brent Lane, Dartford, DA1 1QT · Kent
Number of places
20 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2026
Local authority
Kent

About this day nursery

Little Gem's Childcare, established in June 2021, is a childcare setting located in Dartford, DA1 1QT, that caters to children aged 2 to 4 years old. Open all year round from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, Monday to Friday, the nursery provides a welcoming and secure environment where children are encouraged to explore freely and develop positive attitudes to learning.

The dedicated staff team prioritises communication and language development, ensuring children of all abilities make good progress. The setting's approach to learning is further enhanced by effective outdoor activities, such as riding scooters and bicycles in the garden, which support physical development.

Little Gem's Childcare effectively supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language, ensuring all children make good progress from their individual starting points. Parents consistently express satisfaction with the care and education their children receive, highlighting the positive progress observed.

Our ethos

LittleGems Childcare focuses on cultivating confident, innovative, and compassionate minds through a blend of creative, educational indoor and outdoor activities, encouraging self-expression and exploration. They aim to be a "home away from home," supporting children's transition and working with local schools.

What it's like

Children are happy and secure in the setting. The manager warmly welcomes each child on arrival and children separate from their parents with ease. They confidently say goodbye and put their belongings away. Children quickly settle into the rooms for the day. They explore freely while adults engage with them and join in their play. Staff form positive relationships with children, offer them encouragement and promote children's positive attitudes to learning. This helps children to feel self-assured and confident.

Happy and secure childrenPositive relationshipsPhysical developmentCommunication focusEffective parent partnerships

Pricing & funding

This nursery offers full-time care with daily, weekly, and monthly rates, alongside hourly and session-based part-time care. Breakfast, afterschool, and holiday clubs are also available. Meals, registration fees, and deposits are billed additionally.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • A non-refundable administration fee is payable upon registration.
  • A two-week deposit is required.
  • Meals are charged additionally based on consumption.
  • Late collection and late payments/returned cheques incur penalty charges.
  • A sibling discount is available.

Key facts

Session types

Full day, Half day, Breakfast Club, Afterschool Club

Opening hours

7AM - 6PM

Age range

Birth to 8 years

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

June 2021

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Urgent improvement

Last inspected Apr 2026

Headline: Urgent improvement

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

AchievementUrgent improvement
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesUrgent improvement
Children's welfare and wellbeingUrgent improvement
Curriculum and teachingUrgent improvement
InclusionUrgent improvement
Leadership and governanceUrgent improvement
Age range
1 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Gem's Childcare

Last inspected 24 April 2026

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

Children are happy and secure in the setting. The manager warmly welcomes each child on arrival and children separate from their parents with ease. They confidently say goodbye and put their belongings away. Children quickly settle into the rooms for the day. They explore freely while adults engage with them and join in their play. Staff form positive relationships with children, offer them encouragement and promote children's positive attitudes to learning. This helps children to feel self-assured and confident.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are happy and secure in the setting.
  • Staff form positive relationships with children, offer them encouragement and promote children's positive attitudes to learning.
  • Children enjoy activities to support their physical development.
  • Staff prioritise children's communication and language development.
  • Partnership working with parents is effective.

Areas to develop

  • 1Sharpen curriculum implementation to enhance engagement and concentration.
  • 2Provide a more consistent approach to behaviour management.
Inspection #10205663 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff identify children's needs quickly and put in place the extra support some children need, ensuring good progress for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Outdoor space

Children enjoy activities to support their physical development, such as riding scooters and bicycles in the garden, and negotiating space during obstacle courses indoors.

EAL / language support

Children who speak English as an additional language make good progress from their starting points, benefiting from staff who identify their needs quickly and provide extra support.

Inspection history

Date: July 2023

The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Good). We're re-checking it against the original report.

  • August 2023Good
  • July 2023Good

Frequently asked about Little Gem's Childcare

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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