Chiltern Nursery & Training College

20 Peppard Road, Caversham, Reading RG4 8JZ
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9.9 42 Reviews
  • Chiltern Nursery & Training College, Reading
Chiltern Nursery and Training College is a registered charity and has been delivering high quality childcare and training since 1931. CNTC is set in extensive grounds in Caversham, Reading and the children have access to this outdoor area daily. The Nursery offers fantastic Staff/Child ratios of 1:3 for under 2s and 1:4 capped for all children over 2yrs. This ensures that every child’s needs, development, personality, and preferences are carefully understood and taken into consideration throughout every interaction, supporting the Nursery's child-centred approach. The children are offered a varied well-balanced menu which is freshly prepared on-site each day.

CNTC prides itself for the close partnership in working with parents and has a long standing and experienced staff team who are approachable and friendly. To support this, the parents have access to the ParentZone App which allows them access to photographs and information about their child’s development.

CNTC provides high quality CPD for all staff ensuring they remain up to date with child development and early years practice. All of the staff hold a full paediatric first aid certificate. The Trainee Programme offers a level 3 qualification in childcare and supports CNTC with recruiting high quality staff who are familiar to the children.

Care Provided by Chiltern Nursery & Training College

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • Chiltern Nursery & Training College
  • Person in charge
  • Victoria Hughes (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 80
  • Registered Charity Number
  • 201911
  • Total Places for Children
  • 130
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays, Christmas Eve & 1 week between Christmas & New Year

Funding & Fees Guide for Chiltern Nursery & Training College

  • April 2024:
    These fees do not take into account any allocation of Early Years Free Entitlement for 2, 3 and 4 year olds. Funding is applied from the term after your child turns 2 or 3 years old dependant on eligibility.
       
    Under 2 Years old: 1 day - £88.00
    Over 2 Years old: 1 day - £86.00


  • We will review our fees annually to take effect usually on 1 April in each year. Any increase or change to the fee structure will be notified to you 2 months in advance. You will be charged for your child’s standard sessions monthly in advance. Any requested additional sessions will be charged monthly in arrears.


  • Parking
  • There is a car park at the front of the Nursery.


Chiltern Nursery & Training College Reviews (42)

Total of 42, showing 1-20
9.9

Chiltern Nursery & Training College has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.900) out of 10, based on 35 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Chiltern Nursery & Training College has 42 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Having had both children attend Chiltern since 2020, it's going to be a very sad day when we have to finally say goodbye once the youngest starts school later this year.
It's been the best environment for both children, with great facilities & outdoor space to be in to explore all year round.
The
team are incredible and have really made it an unforgettable experience for us all. They have played the biggest part in helping to nurture & let both personalities thrive. I couldn't be happier knowing that the best time/ care is had whilst there.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at Chiltern Nursery are very approachable and always ensure a comprehensive handover at the end of the day. They plan meaningful child-led activities which develop the children. They are supportive and as first-time parents, their advice is invaluable. We feel hugely lucky to be part of their
community and can't wait to see how our son will continue to develop.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has had a wonderful experience at Chiltern. She has progressed well with her learning and development with the help from the fantastic team. The meals are varied and healthy, and helpfully have expanded her choices and enjoyment of food. This has helped a lot with fussy eating. All of the
staff are incredibly friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable. The outside garden is particularly fun and engaging, with many activities. We would highly recommend Chiltern and the fantastic team there.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My youngest has been at Chiltern for 3 years and my eldest also went. We are really happy with all aspects of the nursery. Staff are great and help the children grow. The nursery has great ground and facilities. The staff in the Bees room are awesome.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Having had both my boys attend Chiltern over a number of years, I continue to have great confidence in what they do here. There is a depth of knowledge and expertise that leads to a stable and nurturing environment, with often quite staggering attention to details of development. Staff are always friendly,
positive, and committed.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son enjoys spending his days at the nursery. He loves being outdoors and gets to do this regularly in the great garden here. He started nursery at 12 months old, 8 months ago and after a week or so of settling in, it gave me great comfort knowing he was happy there. At pick-up some days he would
see me and carry on with whatever he was doing, he was in no rush to leave. The recent family picnic event was enjoyable and gave a little insight to some of the various activities he can take part in. I feel reassured at drop off in the morning that my son will be happy and well taken care of by all the supportive and encouraging staff.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I feel incredibly lucky that my children have had the support and care that has been provided by their key workers at Chiltern Nursery. I am very happy with the nursery and would recommend them highly! One of my children has just left to go to school and I cannot fault the preparation that the key workers
and management put in place to help with the transition. I feel that they genuinely care about my children and that is the most you can hope for.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our kids love this nursery and we love it too!
Everything is well organised and things seem to run very well. It's a safe place- both physically and emotionally. Every member of staff (even in other parts of the nursery) knows our children and gives them a lot of care and attention. The location and
facilities are incredible- our kids are outside so often and there is such a variety of things they can do indoors and outdoors. The information provided to parents is excellent and the nursery goes above and beyond to engage us. Over the two years we've had our children here, we have found no reason to complain about anything!
We have two children at Chiltern. Our eldest joined at the age of 2, in Sep 2022 and went straight into the big kids' class (Bees). Our youngest was in the baby class for a year (Glastonbury) and is now in the bigger kids' class (Elizabeth). The staff at all three classes and the management have been brilliant the whole time.
Our children are thriving here!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very happy with the nursery - excellent, supportive, staff and management team. Baby rooms are responsive to the needs of younger children and over 2's rooms have lots of activities and free flow across all 6 rooms. The gardens and outdoor space are wonderful and very well-equipped. The staff gives
detailed 8-weekly assessments of progress and offers parents evenings and family events. Would highly recommend it.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A lovely nursery with fantastic facilities. Our son has been here for nearly a year from a very young age and the team has been amazing.
I am very grateful for the staff at Chiltern and their dedication to making my son feel supported and accommodated.
Obviously, we don't know any different, but
after viewing lots of alternatives felt like the training college element adds a youthfulness, fresh energy, and dedication to the staff I didn't see elsewhere.
I am looking forward to my son being able to enjoy the facilities throughout the years!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am so impressed with the care my son receives in Halliday's room at Chiltern Nursery. The new room leader is such a wonderful woman who knows our child inside and out and shares our enjoyment in his development each day. I love the massive outdoor area and the amount of time the kiddies are out playing
in the fresh air. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Great experience, a staff member was very comprehensive in terms of the child's development and learning and showed the entire play area he has access to. Other staff members were also helpful and supportive, many thanks.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Overall we are very happy with the care provided. Both our kids are well looked after, we get good feedback from the carers at the end of the day and via the parent app. Admission and changing set days however is quite inflexible. We also had some issues with billing regarding the sibling's discount.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Wonderful nursery. All staff are always happy and positive and are always willing to take time to answer any questions. We really enjoyed the Family Christmas event and look forward to more events like this. I would 100% recommend Chiltern Nursing & Training College.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Chiltern is a fantastic nursery. The teams we have been supported by have all been amazing and my daughter loves her time there. The team work to really get to know the children and families and support through transitions, potty training, encouraging new foods and much more. The nursery facilities
are excellent, with lovely rooms, lots of resources and lots of opportunities for outside play and exploration. My daughter has grown in confidence and independence during her time at Chiltern and I would highly recommend the nursery.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

As both a parent and a teacher with experience in early years, I can't sing enough praises for Chiltern Nursery. Their nurturing approach has played a pivotal role in fostering my son's confidence and independence, which means the world to me. Additionally, the incredible gardens provide a perfect environment
for my son to play and grow. Chiltern Nursery truly offers an exceptional place for children to thrive.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This nursery is a really special place. Fabulous, caring, and dynamic staff, gorgeous surroundings, and so many brilliant activities to nurture young minds. We have sent both of our children here from 6 months old and are so lucky they have started their lives and educations here. We (half) jokingly
say that we would happily have another child just to stay a part of this wonderful community of carers and educators.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have had children in Chiltern Nursery since 2017, with our youngest still there. It's simply a wonderful, fun, safe, nurturing place for little ones. They do so many creative activities and the outdoor space is amazing and keeps them connected to nature. The menu and meals provided are great. All
the staff are wonderful, whether it's the maintenance team, key persons, room leaders, other staff, or management. They really seem to care about providing the best environment possible for little ones to flourish, encourage independence and to develop their own personalities.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is a wonderful nursery and we're so happy to send our children here. The staff are fantastic, all so kind and nurturing. Many have worked there for many years, which is brilliant and ensures consistency in your child's care. The trainees are very well supported and really great with the children
too. Highly recommend!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been at Chiltern Nursery for over 3.5 years and it’s been great.
She is always doing new activities and challenges which keep her engaged and she loves going in every day.
I feel confident with the staff, and the care. The one to one relationships she’s built up with staff members
have been key to her growing into a confident young girl, very ready for her move to school.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.900)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.900) out of 10 for Chiltern Nursery & Training College is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 35 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 35 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.900 for Chiltern Nursery & Training College is calculated as follows: ( (379 Excellents x 5) + (36 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 418 Ratings = 4.9

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Chiltern Nursery & Training College is based on 35 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 130 number of registered child places is 26, which has been reached with 35 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (3)

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Meet the Team (5)

Michelle

Michelle Wigmore

Job Title: Head

Joined: 2021

I have worked with children and young people for over 30 years and have gained extensive experience through various roles within the childcare and education field. I started my career as a Nursery Nurse and my passion for working with a range of families in different environments took my career in many directions. I have always had a thirst for continuing professional development and have gained many qualifications throughout my journey. As the Head at Chiltern, I am responsible to a Board of Trustees for the overall running of CNTC along with developing and maintaining the highest possible standards of care, education, and training.


Victoria

Victoria Hughes

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2022

I have recently been appointed as the Nursery Manager, having previously been the Deputy Manager for the Under Two department since 2010. After qualifying as an Early Years Practitioner, I completed my BA (Hons) Early Years with The Open University in 2011 and went on to gain my Early Years Professional Status.


Through completing both these qualifications, I was able to extend my knowledge in all aspects of working with the under-fives. This enables me to strive for best practice, supporting and leading my team to achieve this; so the children who attend the nursery can have the best start to their nursery life, empowering them to go on and thrive to achieve their full potential, as they progress through the nursery in preparation for school. Alongside being the Nursey Manager, I am the nursery’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator and in the last year, I have gained the Level 3 Early Years SENCO Award with Reading Local Authority to support my role. I am looking forward to using the skills, experience, and knowledge I have in developing the practice at CNTC.


Megan

Megan Alexander

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2022

Since starting my career in childcare after finishing school, I have worked in many different roles. I started as a Nursery Assistant and soon found out I had a passion for childcare and working alongside the children, parents and staff.


After gaining my level 3 childcare qualification I decided to venture into the world of nannying before becoming a practitioner at Chiltern in 2017. I started here as a Room Leader and have had an opportunity to lead two rooms during my time here. My time as a Room Leader has enabled me to gain the knowledge and experience that I needed to reach the next step in my career. I am excited for the challenges ahead of me as I start my new role as Deputy Manager for the Under Two department.”


Kerry

Kerry Allen

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2023

I have been fortunate to follow my passion and work in childcare for many years. I first came to Chiltern as a supply member of staff and enjoyed it so much that I stayed. I led an over two room before recently taking on the new challenge and role as a Deputy Manager.


I am passionate about providing a caring home from home environment full of experiences and activities which allow children to explore, supporting them to become curious confident learners.


Debe

Debe Small

Job Title: Special Educational Needs Coordinator

Joined: 2023

Since beginning my journey over 30 years ago working with children of all ages; babies through to adolescents and up to adults, it’s become my vocation. I feel privileged to have earned roles such as Assistant Head of Home, Deputy Manager/SENCo, Specialist Inclusion and Behaviour Co-ordinator, Nursery Nurse, Childminder, where I’ve continuously built on the skills and knowledge acquired in diverse settings, working alongside such inspiring individuals that children and young people are. To share but a few, I’ve worked with children that are living with ACEs, Attachment Disorders, Early Childhood Trauma, Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Condition - across the full spectrum, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, ADHD, Global Delay, SPLD, Albinism, children who are Hearing Impaired/Deaf and SEMH and BSED Mental Health including Self Harm behaviours. I’ve supported vulnerable children with complex needs and have been a Corporate Parent along the way in the most challenging of times and truly loved every minute of all my roles.


After all that I’ve achieved, I know that my true passion lies in supporting every child to emerge and flourish, becoming the most amazing individual that they can and should be, in whatever way that may be. And so, by securing the SENCo role here at Chiltern Nursery, I believe it’s my next step along an incredible journey within the Early Years sector, supporting our babies first steps on through to school readiness, we’re all teaching, learning and developing at every opportunity, all together.


Frequently Asked Questions about Chiltern Nursery & Training College

What is the Age Range of Children that Chiltern Nursery & Training College accepts?

Chiltern Nursery & Training College accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Chiltern Nursery & Training College Open?

Chiltern Nursery & Training College is open: Monday 08:00-18:00, Tuesday 08:00-18:00, Wednesday 08:00-18:00, Thursday 08:00-18:00, Friday 08:00-18:00.

How many Children does Chiltern Nursery & Training College have capacity for?

Chiltern Nursery & Training College has capacity for a total of 130 Children.

How far is Chiltern Nursery & Training College to the centre of Reading?

1.3 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.