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Townsend Montessori @ Maidstone

Ofsted: Good
(Nov 2023)
·
4.7(18 parent reviews) ·Townsend Montessori, Priory Road, Maidstone, ME15 6NL · Kent
Number of places
80 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2023
Local authority
Kent

About this day nursery

Apricot Day Nursery in St Neots emphasises a nurturing environment rooted in the Montessori approach, where children learn through play and a variety of daily activities tailored to their individual interests. The nursery focuses on supporting children's cognitive, social, and physical development, fostering confidence and independence, and preparing them for school through its "Next Stop School" programme.

They offer flexible benefits to families such as not charging for food, enhancements, or consumables, and provide fully funded and part-funded sessions for eligible families. The nursery operates across two sites, with a separate pre-school setting just a short walk away for older children.

Each room benefits from its own safe, age-appropriate outdoor play area, encouraging outdoor learning in all seasons. The curriculum, known as the Brighter Learning Approach, goes beyond traditional methods, offering real-life experiences and child-led learning across six core areas: My Happy and Healthy Self, Wonderful World, Super Steam, Raving Readers, Mini Maths, and Confident Speakers and Communicators.

The nursery also provides a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs, including cookery, yoga, art, music, gardening, and science, to enhance children's learning experiences.

What it's like

Staff warmly greet children, helping them to settle well and fostering strong bonds with their key persons. Children learn to be kind and independent, developing good personal hygiene practices. The curriculum offers various opportunities for physical development, from early walking skills to climbing and obstacle courses, as well as fine motor skill development through activities like sand play.

Montessori approachOutdoor learningFlexible funding optionsBrighter Learning Approach curriculumExtracurricular clubs

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Opening hours

7.30am - 6.30pm, 51 weeks a year. Full day: 8am-6pm; Early start: 7:30am-8am; Late finish: 6pm-6:30pm

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating

Last inspected 22 November 2023 · Nicky Chambers

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 warmly greet children, helping them to settle well and fostering strong bonds with their key persons. Children learn to be kind and independent, developing good personal hygiene practices. The curriculum offers various opportunities for physical development, from early walking skills to climbing and obstacle courses, as well as fine motor skill development through activities like sand play.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff provide a curriculum that follows children's interests and plan activities to build on their skills.
  • The knowledgeable SENCo is extremely passionate about supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
  • The manager shows a good commitment to the professional development of the team and places high priority on staff well-being.
  • Staff work effectively to develop children's communication and language skills, including supporting children who speak English as an additional language.
  • Children learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, with healthy meals and plenty of access to fresh air and physical exercise.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen staff's interactions with children to allow them more time to respond to questions and further develop their thinking and communication skills
  • 2review and improve the organisation of the daily routine to avoid unnecessary waiting and ensure children's individual needs are consistently supported
Inspection #10314694 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

parents comment that they feel their child's key person knows their children very well, and they receive personal feedback about their progress

Parents state that their children are making good progress in their development due to the support they receive at the nursery

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The knowledgeable special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) is extremely passionate about supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The SENCo works very closely alongside staff, parents, and other professionals to ensure that children's care and learning needs are consistently met. For example, she ensures there is effective communication with other settings children attend and that individual plans are consistent.

Outdoor space

Children benefit from accessing a broad curriculum that provides a range of opportunities for physical development. They have plenty of access to fresh air and physical exercise, and during parts of the day when children move between activities, such as when going outdoors, the routine is not always well organised.

EAL / language support

Staff support children who speak English as an additional language effectively. They use words in children's home language to help develop their ability to communicate their needs and build on their understanding of new words.

Parent Reviews

4.7
(18)
_16mai
7 months ago

Although the staff are nice, I don’t quite trust what happens behind the closed doors. Especially when your child needs a little more attention

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Jo Wright
a year ago

What a wonderful warm welcome. Thank you so much for showing me around and taking the time to go through the funding information with me in the parents room. Your nursery is wonderful. I’ll be back!

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Dia Diana
5 months ago

My daughter love this place...lovely staff and very friendly children....thank you

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Helen Gilbert
4 years ago

Amazing nursery! I cannot thank the staff enough. The managers even know each child individually so well. It has a real family vibe. My son has absolutely thrived at this nursery and he has been there since 9 months old to now leaving for school. Highly recommend this nursery. Thank you for everything you have done.

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Lorna Slabber
9 years ago

They were so good in helping my lb to adjust and settle in gently (and me!!). It's such a huge step leaving your child with someone they and you don't know, but it wasn't long before he trusted his key worker and was looking forward to go play with all the staff and his new friends. I particularly liked their gentle approach with lots of cuddles during those first few weeks of separation to ensure he was reassured. The staff are always willing to fill you in on your child's day and build genuine friendships with the kids with lots of messy play and other fun activities.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Townsend Montessori @ Maidstone. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: May 2016

  • November 2023Good
  • January 2019Good
  • May 2016Good

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