Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable

Whitstable Railway Station, Railway Avenue, Whitstable CT5 1QS
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9.5 29 Reviews
  • Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable, Whitstable
Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable is a beautiful Edwardian train station, converted into a warm and caring nursery. Located in the lovely seaside town of Whitstable, the nursery was formerly the Whitstable Railway Station.

The nursery offers exceptional care, enriched by unique learning opportunities for your child. One such experience is child-friendly cooking classes, helping to equip children with valuable skills and deeper knowledge of the cooking process.

The three open plan ground floor rooms are full of engaging resources, all designed to create a home-from-home environment. With large windows and high ceilings, the nursery is light and airy for all children to flourish in. The nursery is complete with its own safe, secure and stimulating garden environment.

Full of vibrant and sensual play, the design of Babychoos has been carefully created to stimulate and engage all children. The open plan spaces are based on one level with access to a carefully constructed garden equipped especially for children under two.

The Caterpillar room for 2-3 year olds, encourages free flow play inside and out, where children can explore many activities. As children make the transition from Babychoos, the Caterpillar room is oozing with a wealth of resources, which aim to inject fun into every child’s day and encourage a zest for learning.

As children progress into the Butterflies room at around 3-5 year olds, learning continues to be enjoyable and rewarding, with a good balance of child initiated play and adult led activities. The room is spread over two areas and children have the choice to free flow, which ensures they access all areas of the curriculum.

The team and children love to explore the local area with the children and will go on frequent walks in the surrounding area; making the most of the nursery's seaside location with lots of walks to the beach as well as the harbour, castle and park.

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Care Provided by Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Harriet Barnes (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 26
  • Total Places for Children
  • 79
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 0 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable

  • AM/PM Session £40.80, Full Day Session £70.30 (Under 3)
    AM/PM Session £38.00, Full Day Session £69.00 (Over 3)

  • A £100 non-refundable registration fee is required to secure a place. Exact days of attendance should be confirmed no later than 6 weeks prior to the child’s start date. Any changes are subject to availability.
  • Parking

  • There is free parking and a safe drop off area.


Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable Reviews (29)

Total of 29, showing 21-29
9.5

Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.542) out of 10, based on 14 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable has 29 reviews.

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Review from Emily T (Mother of Child) published on 15 February 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable have taken great care to get to know my son well. As a result, he feels happy and safe there. Every time he comes home he is proud of an achievement he has made that day. They keep close track of his development and are always looking to further this through
the activities and experiences they offer. The feedback and information we get from the nursery shows how well they know my son. The staff always appear happy. I would definitely recommend Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable to other parents. Thank you for all your hard work.

Reply from Beth Lewendon, Marketing Coordinator at Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable

Thank you for taking the time to write this review and for your comments, we appreciate it! We are delighted to hear of your son's progress, and how happy he is at nursery!


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Review from Kirsty L (Mother of Child) published on 10 February 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of my children are extremely happy at Choochoos Day Nursery and are well cared for by their key workers and their buddies. They take part in a variety of activities which they greatly enjoy. My little boy has made some good friends who he looks forward to seeing.

Reply from Beth Lewendon, Marketing Coordinator at Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable

Thank you for taking the time to write this review and for your wonderful comments - we really appreciate it!


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Review from Joanna M (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

What we love most about Choochoos Day Nursery is that our child feels truly loved and has developed an amazing bond with all his caregivers. The activities are clearly tailored towards the interests of the children and staff are open to letting the child lead and create new activities around this. The
pedagogic approach at ChooChoos allows the children to develop their independence and their own character. The staff lovingly guide their behaviour and work with the parents to create a consistent approach.

Reply from Jo Bamforth, Marketing Manager at Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable

Thank you for taking the time to write this review, and for such positive comments!


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Review from Jenna C (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Amazing support for my son. Personable staff who keep us informed with photos and updates. Our son has thrived since being there. He was very shy and anxious when he started and with care and patience from the staff, he now strolls in confidently and has learnt so much since being there. Communication
is open and any questions or queries are responded to promptly.

Reply from Jo Bamforth, Marketing Manager at Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable

Thank you for taking the time to write this review, and for such positive comments! We are delighted to hear how well your son is progressing!


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Review from Helen P (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been coming to Choochoos Day Nursery since she was 6-months-old. The level of care and nurturing is exceptional and we are so pleased and proud of what a happy and engaged child she has become. The range of activities and the diversity of the festivals celebrated are so wonderful and
it is so nice to hear about everything our child gets up to during the day. Thank you for all the amazing work you do!

Reply from Jo Bamforth, Marketing Manager at Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable

Thank you for taking the time to write this review, and for such positive comments!


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Review from Beckie W (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Have been really impressed with Choochoos Day Nursery since my son started there. I feel they are extremely thorough and the safeguarding of children is at the heart of what they do, which is exactly what you want as a parent. There is excellent communication and all members of staff are friendly and
kind.

Reply from Jo Bamforth, Marketing Manager at Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable

Thank you for taking the time to write this review, and for such positive comments!


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Review from Karen T (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have always been extremely pleased with Choochoos Day Nursery. Both of my boys have loved the nursery! The staff are all lovely and helpful. We have been in the nursery system for the last four years and we’ve been happy that we chose that nursery.

Reply from Jo Bamforth, Marketing Manager at Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable

Thank you for taking the time to write this review, and for such positive comments!


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Review from J H (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been attending the nursery full-time since she was one and we have had a wonderful experience. She has had caring and attentive key workers throughout and due to this has always been happy at nursery. She has formed a close group of friends and the nursery always carry out interesting
and exciting activities. When my daughter comes home she is always keen to tell us what she has done and who she has played with.
We are given regular updates on her learning both via teacher-parent conversations and through the app.

Reply from Jo Bamforth, Marketing Manager at Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable

Thank you for taking the time to write this review, and for such positive comments!


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Review from Michael C (Father of Child) published on 16 November 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has absolutely flourished at Choochoos.
He started at a very difficult time when his mummy was diagnosed with a serious illness which was terminal. All of the staff have bent over backwards to support both my son and me.
He looks forward to going, has made some fantastic friends and I’m so,
so pleased with his development from the age of 6 months to the present (he’s now nearly 4).
I couldn’t recommend Choochoos more. It’s been a loving, nurturing, and supportive environment for my son’s first steps in his journey and I couldn’t have done without it!

Reply from Jo Bamforth, Marketing Manager at Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable

Thank you for taking the time to write this review, and for your positive feedback! We are deeply sorry to hear of such a difficult time within your life, but we are pleased to hear your son has been making such good progress! Our staff constantly work above and beyond to provide the best care and support!


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Current Review Score: 9.5 (9.542)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.5 (9.542) out of 10 for Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 14 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.8 out of 5 from 13 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 4.719 for Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable is calculated as follows: ( (139 Excellents x 5) + (20 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) + (1 Poors x 2) + (5 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 167 Ratings = 4.719

  • 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 4.823 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable is based on 13 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 79 number of registered child places is 15.8. 13 Positive Reviews ÷ 15.8 = 0.823

  • 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

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (4)

Top 20 Large Nursery Groups 2024

Recipient: The Old Station Nursery Ltd

Date: Thursday 28 Mar 2024 More details

Nursery Management Today Awards 2023

Recipient: The Old Station Nursery Ltd

Date: Saturday 25 Nov 2023 More details

Top 20 Large Nursery Groups 2022

Recipient: The Old Station Nursery Ltd

Date: Friday 29 Apr 2022 More details

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Meet the Team (1)

Harriet

Harriet Barnes

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2023

Hi! I'm Harriet and I'm the Nursery Manager here at Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable.


Our highly qualified and experienced team of practitioners ensure children cherish their time at Choochoos, making the most of our stunning outdoor learning environment.


We look forward to welcoming you to our nursery!


Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable has a Platinum Service – more info.