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Squirrel Lodge Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2024)
·
5.0(8 parent reviews)
·The Meads Community Centre, Emerald Crescent, Sittingbourne, ME10 5JL · Kent
Number of places
30 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2024
Local authority
Kent

About this day nursery

Squirrel Lodge Nursery, situated in Sittingbourne, ME10 5JL, offers childcare and a Forest School programme for children aged 3 months to 5 years. Operating Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, the nursery is open for 48 weeks of the year, closing for Christmas, Easter, and Bank Holidays.

The facility is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, fostering exploration, discovery, respect, responsibility, and community within an enriching environment. This child-led curriculum is driven by the children's interests.

On-site Forest School sessions are a key part of their offering. The nursery provides various session options, including full days and half-day sessions, and accommodates government-funded early education places.

They aim to provide engaging and exciting experiences for every child, emphasising a supportive and stimulating atmosphere. For those interested, an information pack can be requested via their contact page.

They are committed to transparency in their fee structure, clearly outlining funded and paid hours, and optional extras on invoices. The nursery maintains an Ofsted registration number EY499277 and was rated 'GOOD' at its most recent inspection.

Our ethos

At Squirrel Lodge we are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach which is based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching environment based on the interests of the children through a self-guided curriculum.

What it's like

Staff provide a stimulating environment for children to learn in, delivering a curriculum centred on exploration and discovery through play. They focus heavily on encouraging children to be independent and confident, while placing a high importance on children's well-being. Staff develop a strong key-person system, which supports children to safely feel able to express their wants and needs.

Reggio Emilia approachForest SchoolChild-led curriculum

Pricing & funding

Fees are determined by age groups, covering under twos, two-year-olds, and three to four-year-olds. The nursery offers hourly rates, half-day sessions, and full day rates. Additional fees are charged for early drop-off or late pick-up times, meals, and optional activities like Forest School.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds

Good to know

  • Fees are structured by age bands: under twos, two-year-olds, and three to four-year-olds.
  • Charges apply for additional wrap-around care or fully unfunded hours.
  • Meals and snacks (breakfast, snacks, and tea) are charged as optional extras.
  • Forest School, events, and outings are available as optional paid activities.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday 7.30am - 6.30pm, 48 weeks of the year (closed over Christmas, Easter and Bank Holidays)

Age range

3 months to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2016

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Squirrel Lodge Nursery

Last inspected 31 July 2024 · Nina Harvey

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

Staff provide a stimulating environment for children to learn in, delivering a curriculum centred on exploration and discovery through play. They focus heavily on encouraging children to be independent and confident, while placing a high importance on children's well-being. Staff develop a strong key-person system, which supports children to safely feel able to express their wants and needs.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff provide a stimulating environment where children make progress in all areas.
  • Staff provide a language-rich environment, encouraging children to engage in conversations and introducing new language.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported, with staff quickly identifying emerging needs and working with parents and professionals.
  • Staff use questioning to give children the freedom to make choices in their play, supporting their confidence and independence.
  • Staff give children ample time to explore resources and concentrate on activities.

Areas to develop

  • 1develop staff's confidence in their teaching strategies to consistently support children with communication and language needs
  • 2strengthen planning to identify more precisely what children need to learn next so they are consistently challenged in their learning.
Inspection #10351317 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Staff are quick to identify emerging needs in children. They are good at working alongside parents and professionals to seek and implement strategies to close the gaps in children's learning. Staff are sensitive to children's needs and carefully consider how to use funding to ensure children make good progress and support their emotional regulation.

Outdoor space

Children eagerly run to the water tray and outdoor potion-making station ready to explore textures and colours. Staff expertly use forest school activities to support children to explore risk in a safe way and to be inquisitive learners.

Parent Reviews of Squirrel Lodge Nursery

5.0
(8)
Susitha Hernujan
a year ago

My son had a great time at Squirrel Lodge. The staff are so caring and approachable. The Forest School is a bonus, he enjoyed the outdoor activities. Their communication is so effective, as our questions are always answered swiftly, and their daily feedback is great! We saw amazing improvement in his language skills and personal development. He was always happy and safe. As a parent I could not ask for more. I would highly recommend this nursery to anyone looking for a nursery in the area. Thank you and all the very best!

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nadia perrotta
6 years ago

This is a lovely nursery in the heart of Sittingbourne. I have been their artist in residence for the past three years and it has been the most enjoyable time for me. They run the so called Reggio Emilia approach, an art based educational approach supporting creativity and child led activities. The practitioners are all qualified and full of enthusiasm. Children are always fully involved and they easily reach their full potential by the time they leave for school.

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Samantha Nathan
3 years ago

My son had a wonderful time at squirrel lodge. He loves being outside so having the outdoor space and the Forrest school was perfect for him. The staff are friendly and welcoming and they really helped him settle in quickly. They always have lots of time to talk to parents at pick up to tell you about your child’s day at nursery and answer any questions which was all reassuring. My son is now at school but he still talks fondly of his time at Squirrel Lodge.

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Clare Witt
6 years ago

Squirrel Lodge is a wonderful nursery! My four year old daughter has been attending for two years and loves her time there. The nursery itself is so inviting for children as it is one main room with little areas for art, exploration, role play, rest, reading, sensory activities, etc. These areas are handmade by the staff with a lot of thought and enthusiasm. They are also changed regularly to match any particular interests of the children or to create a suitable space for children with additional needs. They can play outside in the garden any time during the day and regardless of the weather - it has a mud kitchen, bug house, art installations made by the children, etc. The Forest School is a brilliant addition to the nursery's ethos of learning through free play and child-led exploration. My daughter has loved being entrusted with open fires, building dens/swings/balance beams, digging for treasure with metal detectors and trowels, etc. All the staff members are clearly very passionate about their roles and enjoy working at Squirrel Lodge. Their enthusiasm is reflected by the children who are always happily engaged with their chosen activities or being read to when I arrive to drop off/collect my daughter. My younger daughter will be starting in January despite me being at home, as we know how much she will benefit from some time there. She is not yet two but already wanders off to play and doesn't want to leave(!) which is testament to the nursery's homely and happy environment.

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Saskia Lilley
a year ago

Fab nursery. My daughter has progressed so much since starting and is always excited to attend aswell as letting me know how much she enjoys it! Friendly and helpful staff who take pride in the setting aswell as keeping the children safe and happy.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Squirrel Lodge Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

31 July 2024

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 Squirrel Lodge Nursery

About the setting

Squirrel Lodge Nursery registered in 2016 and is located in Sittingbourne, Kent. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. It employs 10 members of staff, with seven qualified at level 3 or above, and two as forest school leaders. The nursery receives funding for free early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children and uses the forest school and Reggio Emilia educational philosophies.

URN
EY499277
Registered person
Elliott-Hare, Claire Adele
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Good

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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