Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm (51 weeks a year, excluding bank holidays)
Smarties Nursery, located in Maidstone, provides exceptional care for children aged three months to five years. The nursery prides itself on fostering strong relationships with families, believing that parents are the primary educators, and by collaborating, they support children through their early years.
Smarties Nursery operates 51 weeks a year, Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 6 pm. The facility is conveniently situated less than a mile from Maidstone town centre, with easy access to train stations and schools.
The dedicated team consists of highly qualified and caring staff members who ensure a secure, happy, and nurturing environment. Children benefit from nutritional, handmade meals prepared daily, and the nursery has received a five-star rating from the Food Standards Agency.
Smarties Nursery offers a large outdoor play area that is accessible all year round, encouraging various activities and exploration. As part of The Education People Nurseries family, a specialist early years education group, Smarties Nursery is committed to delivering high-quality early childhood education and care, emphasising a home-from-home atmosphere.
Our ethos
Smarties Nursery is committed to delivering high-quality early childhood education and care, emphasising a home-from-home atmosphere. They believe parents are the primary educators and foster strong family relationships through collaboration to support children's early years.
What it's like
Children thoroughly enjoy their time at Smarties Nursery, entering happily and joining activities enthusiastically. They develop skills for their next stage of learning, with staff supporting babies and toddlers in physical coordination and language development. Children behave extremely well, showing strong emotional well-being and concentration in various activities.
This nursery charges age-banded rates for under twos, two-year-olds, and three-to-four-year-olds. Fees are structured around hourly rates, morning or afternoon sessions, and full days. For funded children, wrap-around care charges apply, and meals can be purchased separately if not brought from home.
Funding accepted
Good to know
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm (51 weeks a year, excluding bank holidays)
Food
Nutritional handmade meals prepared daily; parents can supply their own food.
Age range
3 months to 5 years
Term time / All Year
All Year
Last inspected 20 April 2022
What it's like to attend
Children thoroughly enjoy their time at Smarties Nursery, entering happily and joining activities enthusiastically. They develop skills for their next stage of learning, with staff supporting babies and toddlers in physical coordination and language development. Children behave extremely well, showing strong emotional well-being and concentration in various activities.
Inspector highlights
Areas to develop
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
"their children are very happy to attend"
Inclusion & environment
There are good arrangements to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff work collaboratively with other professionals to ensure that children's care and learning needs are understood and met. The manager spends additional funding appropriately to benefit individual children.
The inspector observed interactions between staff and children during a range of activities indoors and outside.
We would thoroughly recommend this lovely, warm and welcoming nursery to anyone! We are first time parents so it was all new to us putting our one year old in nursery, but the staff at Smarties are incredible! Our little boy adores the staff here and is so excited to go to nursery each time. Special mention to Diane, Auguste and Leanne! They are a credit to the nursery! Our little boy has flourished going to this nursery. Thank you all :)
Read on GoogleAbsolutely amazing nursery. Both my sons (especially the eldest) have settled in so well! The rooms are so big with perfect activities/chill it areas with a real home from home vibe. The staff are always incredibly friendly and the children have created such great bonds with them.
Read on GoogleMy husband and I adore this setting for our son. The nursery has a calming home from home feeling to it which is exactly what we wanted for our son. All of the key workers are friendly and personable and you can tell they really care for all of the children they look after. Our son has certainly created a bond with the key workers and we can see he’s very happy there.
Read on GoogleWe couldn’t be happier with Smarties. From the very start, the team has been incredibly supportive—especially during my return to work, where their flexibility with days made a genuinely stressful transition feel manageable. What really stands out is how much they truly care. Every time I pick up, the staff take the time to talk to me about her day—what she’s enjoyed, little moments that made her smile, and how she’s developing. It never feels rushed or transactional; you can tell they genuinely adore the children and take pride in knowing them as individuals. My daughter is so happy there, which says everything. She’s settled quickly, comes home content, and clearly feels safe and secure in their care. As a parent, that peace of mind is invaluable. The environment they’ve created is also fantastic. There’s a real emphasis on play, creativity, and exploration, both indoors and in the garden. It feels warm, engaging, and thoughtfully set up to support the children’s development while still being fun. The food is another highlight—varied, nutritious, and clearly enjoyed which is no small feat! Overall, I would wholeheartedly recommend Smarties to any parent. It’s a place where children are genuinely cared for, supported, and encouraged to thrive—and where parents feel equally valued and reassured.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Smarties Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Date: April 2022
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Smarties Nursery.
Maidstone · ME15 6SA
Maidstone · ME15 6NL
Maidstone · ME16 8SF
Maidstone · ME14 5SF
Maidstone · ME16 8HU
Maidstone · ME16 0SL
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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