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Pennies Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Dec 2021)
·
5.0(2 parent reviews) ·Thornbank, 149 Hockers Lane, Maidstone, ME14 5JY · Kent
Number of places
55 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2021
Local authority
Kent

About this day nursery

Pennies Day Nursery provides a stimulating and enriching environment for children to learn and grow. They offer a comprehensive curriculum designed to foster development and prepare children for their next steps in education.

The nursery prides itself on its inclusive approach, catering to a range of ages with a focus on individual needs. Healthy meals, premium brand nappies, formula milk, and wipes are all included in their fees, ensuring a hassle-free experience for parents.

With a commitment to maintaining high standards, Pennies Day Nursery offers a nurturing and secure setting where children can thrive, develop essential skills, and build confidence through play and structured activities. They are open for 51 weeks of the year, closing on public holidays and between Christmas and New Year, providing consistent childcare for families.

The nursery also offers various club options for older children during term time and holidays.

What it's like

Children fully engage in an exciting range of activities and learning experiences. They smile and interact with staff and each other, showing they feel safe and beam with pride when they are celebrated for their achievements. Staff know the children and their interests well and plan interesting activities to support this, which promotes learning and the use of language for all children.

All-inclusive feesOpen 51 weeks a yearSibling discountOffers holiday and breakfast/after-school clubs

Pricing & funding

Fees are calculated on a 51-week basis and paid monthly in advance. Standard rates are fully inclusive of all meals, nappies, formula milk, and wipes. Sibling discounts and full-time discounts are available, though charges still apply for bank holidays and no refunds are given for illness or holidays.

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)

Good to know

  • Fees include all meals, premium brand nappies, formula milk, and wipes.
  • Open 51 weeks a year; closed bank holidays (charged) and between Christmas and New Year.
  • No exchanges, credits, or refunds are given for child sickness or holidays.
  • Billing is calculated as a weekly charge multiplied by 51 weeks and divided by 12, paid monthly in advance.
  • An average 15% discount is already applied to full-time rates.
  • Deposit refunded with two calendar months' written notice, or within 14 days of confirmation if starting within 3m.

Key facts

Opening hours

7.30am to 6.30pm each weekday

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

1999

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Pennies Day Nursery

Last inspected 1 December 2021

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 fully engage in an exciting range of activities and learning experiences. They smile and interact with staff and each other, showing they feel safe and beam with pride when they are celebrated for their achievements. Staff know the children and their interests well and plan interesting activities to support this, which promotes learning and the use of language for all children.

Inspector highlights

  • Children fully engage in an exciting range of activities and learning experiences.
  • Staff know the children and their interests well and plan interesting activities to support this, which promotes learning and the use of language for all children.
  • The curriculum is ambitious for all, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, with extra support to ensure they access the same experiences.
  • Partnerships with parents are strong, and parents speak highly of the quality of care and education their children receive.
  • Children enjoy balancing on obstacle courses, climbing frames and negotiating space using different ride-on toys in the outdoor area, enhancing physical development and understanding risk in a safe environment.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen the key-person system when new and young children first start to attend, to enable them to develop even stronger bonds from the outset.
Inspection #10128559 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

"Parents speak highly of the quality of care and education their children receive."

"They comment that they feel listened to and that staff are responsive and quick to act."

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The curriculum is ambitious for all, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, where extra support is put in place so they can access the same experiences. Those children who have identified gaps in their communication and language development receive targeted support. Staff liaise closely with external agencies to support children's well-being and development; for example, physiotherapists support staff to use funding to find appropriate apparatus, meaning children with disabilities can access learning and enjoy the opportunities on offer.

Outdoor space

Children explore the outdoor area with enthusiasm and enhance their physical development and understanding of taking risks in a safe, supported environment. Children enjoy balancing on the obstacle course, climbing frames and negotiating space using different ride-on toys.

Parent Reviews of Pennies Day Nursery

5.0
(2)
Jennifer Weight
3 months ago

The Best Nursery!! My daughter Josephine loves being here. All the staff I have ever come in contact with always have a smile on their faces. Such a caring environment, I trust them whole heartedly with my little girl. I cannot recommend this Nursery enough, I wish my daughter could stay here forever.

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Rob Knight
4 years ago

We are so grateful we choose Pennies for our daughter. She is so happy there and we know that she is taken care of so well. when we pull up at Pennies in the morning, our daughter claps her hands and says "yay!". she loves it there. We would fully recommend Pennies Hockers Lane to any other parents.

Read on Google

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

Inspection history

Date: October 2004

  • January 2022Good
  • December 2021Good
  • March 2016Outstanding
  • February 2016Outstanding
  • November 2011Outstanding
  • September 2011Outstanding
  • April 2008Outstanding
  • March 2005Good
  • October 2004Good

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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