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The Gillingham Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2021)
·
4.8(49 parent reviews) ·Unit 2, Conqueror Court, GILLINGHAM, ME8 0RR · Medway
Number of places
67 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2021
Local authority
Medway

About this day nursery

The Gillingham Nursery, formerly known as Happy Bunnies, has a decade-long history of providing childcare in Gillingham. The nursery prides itself on offering a warm, home-like environment and aims to make high-quality childcare accessible and affordable.

They believe in transparent pricing with no hidden fees and offer flexible session booking for parents with varying schedules. The curriculum focuses on both educational and social development, encouraging children to learn and interact with peers.

The nursery maintains a strong commitment to safety and safeguarding, keeping parents informed of their child's progress and any minor incidents through a dedicated app. They are open 51 weeks a year, closing only on Bank Holidays, for which no charges apply.

The Gillingham Nursery emphasises the importance of early childhood education for a child's structure, social development, and overall success in life, also offering parents a valuable break. They invite prospective families to consult with their experienced nursery director, Lesley Dartnell, to address any questions regarding their child's care.

What it's like

Children behave well, learn good manners, and how to be kind and help their friends. Young babies form positive relationships with staff, which give them a sense of security. Children enjoy sitting with their friends during mealtimes.

Flexible session bookingTransparent pricingFamily-owned schoolFocus on social and educational development

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)

Our fees are inclusive of all drinks and snacks except for midday meal. We are open for 51 weeks a year, closing on Bank Holidays, and do not charge for them. Funded days that fall on a bank holiday may be moved to another day that week subject to space availability and prior notice being given. Our fees do not include any outings, celebrations or entertainment that is in addition to our usual session activities. Fees are charged on an average, calculated by the number of sessions at the price of the session, multiplied by 51 weeks and divided by 12 months. Consumables fees, covering food (breakfast, morning snack, afternoon snack, light tea, no lunch), celebrations and events, and other consumables (wipes, suncream, subscriptions), are based on actual costs and divided into categories, calculated per hour and apply only to sessions attended.

Key facts

Food

All drinks and snacks are included, excluding midday meals. Consumables fees cover breakfast, morning snack, afternoon snack, and a light tea.

Opening hours

8am to 6pm all year except for bank holidays

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Gillingham Nursery

Last inspected 5 August 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 behave well, learn good manners, and how to be kind and help their friends. Young babies form positive relationships with staff, which give them a sense of security. Children enjoy sitting with their friends during mealtimes.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff have a clear understanding of the early years curriculum and use assessment well to inform planning.
  • Leaders and managers monitor staff practice effectively and use observations to plan professional development.
  • Staff adapt the curriculum for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring activities are accessible to all.
  • Staff provide planned activities for children to learn in small groups, recognising the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on socialisation.
  • Partnerships with parents are good, with regular updates and shared assessment information to support learning at home.

Areas to develop

  • 1review the organisation of the garden and the baby room to further improve how the early years curriculum is implemented to provide a more enabling environment.
Inspection #10203910 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff adapt the curriculum for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring that activities are easily accessible to all children. They work in partnership with other professionals to plan for children's learning and make prompt referrals for additional support if they notice any gaps in development, helping children get the necessary support they need.

Outdoor space

The implementation of the curriculum is not as well organised in the outdoor area. Staff provide many opportunities for children to develop physical strength in their hands, for example, climbing structures in the garden.

Parent Reviews of The Gillingham Nursery

4.8
(49)
Hayley Surrey
5 months ago

Absolutely love my Son going to this nursery. He has not been the easiest to settle into nursery life, however the staff have been so patient and accommodating. Great communication between the parents and the staff. You havr that feeling that they care for the children as much as the parents do. The children are always busy looking at a new topic or getting ready for any celebration during that month. I would highly recommend.

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Zoe Pelekanis
6 months ago

My eldest son has been going to the gillingham nursery since he was 2 years old starting in the Jungle room… he’s quite a shy child and being at nursery has definitely helped him come out of his shell. he has recently moved into preschool room which he absolutely loves! he is thriving and very happy there. all of the staff in the room gives me a detailed handover about his day which is very good and i can tell they love working with children by their attitude. my youngest son has started attending when he was 7 months old in baby room (present) and all the staff in the room are really helping him with his milestones and i can tell they really care and want him to do well. he loves going, always has a smile on his face during drop off which gives me piece of mind that he’s in great hands. i can’t recommend this nursery enough. it’s the best in the area

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celine egan
6 months ago

My eldest has attended The Gillingham Nursery since 9 months old in baby room, progressed to jungle room and is now in her final year in the preschool room. Throughout her time there she has come on leaps and bounds down to the care and encouragement each and every staff member has provided. My youngest daughter is now in attendance and also thriving and loving every minute. The team there are the very best and I would recommend them in a 1,000 times over!

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Nadia Futa
6 months ago

I have no complaints! The staff that watch my daughter are all amazing. She loves going nursery and to me thats a good sign. Any little thing the staff are updating the app or calling me if anything. Honestly I would definitely recommend if you are wanting to leave your child and go work this is the place to leave them

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Natalie Baker
10 months ago

My son has recently started at Happy Bunnies. I am so pleased how much he has progressed and is confident going in. This is all thanks to the wonderful nursery nurses who work at Happy Bunnies. Also the response we have from the other nursery nurses who welcome myself and my son into the building both drop offs and pick ups. Myself and my son also really enjoyed attending the summer fate. A lot of hard work had gone into organising the event and once again felt very welcomed. Also senior management including the manager have very much welcomed us in wonderfully. Overall a very lovely nursery .

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Inspection history

Date: August 2011

  • August 2021Good
  • August 2017Good
  • February 2017Inadequate
  • February 2015Good
  • February 2014Requires improvement
  • August 2011Good

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