Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury

50 Mill Lane, Harbledown, Canterbury CT2 8NE
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9.7 32 Reviews
  • Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury, Canterbury
Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury is is the perfect setting for parents looking for a light and spacious nursery with wonderful outdoor facilities. Located in the outskirts of the beautiful cathedral city of Canterbury, the purpose built nursery offers three large rooms, full of engaging resources, all designed to create a home-from-home environment.

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.

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

The Caterpillar room for children aged around 2-3 years, encourages free flow play, inside and out, where children can explore many activities. Specifically designed for this age group, the Caterpillar room is spacious with many large windows giving natural light. The Caterpillar room is inviting with opportunities for learning wherever you turn. The inside gives access to a large well equipped outdoor play area where all aspects of development are considered.

As the children progress, at around 3 years old, they transition to the Butterflies room. Learning continues to be enjoyable and rewarding with a good balance of child initiated play and adult led activities.

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Care Provided by Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Meg Knight (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 23
  • Total Places for Children
  • 69
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 1 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 & 2 weeks at Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury

  • Full Day Session £71.60 (Under 3)
    Full Day Session £70.30 (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 by the nursery.


Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury Reviews (32)

Total of 32, showing 21-32
9.7

Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.690) out of 10, based on 19 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury has 32 reviews.

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Review from Phil H (Father of Child) published on 3 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of my daughters have attended Choochoos over a period of 7 years between them; time flies when having fun! When first looking for a nursery, our selection criteria was admittedly quite basic - we simply wanted a nursery that was close to where we lived, and had a good reputation. Lucky for us we
hit the jackpot at the very first attempt!
However, it quickly became apparent that our girls would gain so very much more from their time here. Besides making fantastic friends, and enjoying each and every session, the close bonds that developed between them and the staff was a wonderful surprise. The care, nurturing, enthusiasm and dedication is truly incredible. To be able to maintain that energy and devotion over a period of several years is no mean feat.
The challenges of Covid were tackled with professionalism and cool heads. A change of ownership has also been well navigated, and staff seem content in their roles. They are the greatest resource this nursery has. Thank you all so very much.

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

Thank you for such a wonderful review regarding our Canterbury nursery, we really appreciate it!


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Review from Margarita O (Mother of Child) published on 27 June 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury is a great nursery. All the staff are very friendly, supportive and lovely. My son enjoys his time in the nursery and looks forward to going there every time. My son is bilingual and from the first day, he is very welcome and happy. I can see his progress every day.
Thanks for the great support.

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

Dear Margarita, Thank you very much for your review. Your kind words and support mean so much to our team. We are so pleased that your son enjoys his time with us here at Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury and that you can see the progress he is making. Thank you again for taking the time to write such a lovely review.


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Review from Karen W (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We love Choochoos Day Nursery, our daughter looks forward to going each week and on the two mornings she goes, from the time she gets up she is getting her bag ready to walk out the door. Staff are really friendly and always accomodating. Today they went to the park for a picnic as it was such lovely
weather. When I dropped her off they checked if I was happy to either collect her from the park as they would be late back or happy to collect her a bit later. They also checked if I minded her not having a hot meal at lunchtime and instead having picnic food. She had an amazing time and was so happy when we picked her up. She has come on leaps and bounds in her learning and confidence since starting in July 2021. The outdoor area is covered so she spends time out there every day if she chooses to - which she definitely does as loves being outside. I've only put good for management as not really needed to have any dealings with them, any communications have been with her key person.

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

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review, we really appreciate it!


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Review from Sam R (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My child has formed some really close bonds with the staff at Choochoos. She often talks about them when she is at home and you can see how much she is cared for. She is progressing really well there and they have been really supportive with any transitions we have wanted help with such as potty training
and moving house. Especially happy now they are starting to make journeys to the park too!

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

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review! Your kind words mean a lot to the team!


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Review from Nancy C (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Staff are just lovely. I always feel my child is safe, happy and cared for. The manager and her deputy are fantastic and very child-focussed. My child often comes back and talks about the adults that care for her and the friends she has there.

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

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review, we really appreciate it!


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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My children love the nursery based in Harbeldown! Very professional staff, always approachable. Kids always have plenty to say what they have been up to during the day. Love the pictures and updates that they send via the app.
Only negative thing is awful parking situation.

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

Thank you for your review, and for taking the time to write it, we really appreciate it! We are delighted to hear how well your children have settled!


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Review from Dale S (Father of Child) published on 13 December 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

- Keep us well informed, communications is generally really good with key workers and the nursery.
- Make our son feel very welcome; he often waves hello and goodbye to other staff members outside of his room, which is nice and shows me they must take an interest whenever they do see him or interact.
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Very rarely have any issues, our son goes five days a week, and at most, we've had two calls in all the time he's been there to advise us of him running into something, before Choochoos Day Nursery we sent him elsewhere and within a month we had three/four incidents and one which left him with a few cuts and bruises so it's nice to know how it wasn't just him being clumsy and actually, he's in a safe environment and well looked after.
- Staff are all super friendly and down to earth.

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

Thank you for taking the time to write this review; we really appreciate your positive comments!


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Review from A E (Mother of Child) published on 6 December 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Choochoos Day Nursery is an excellent nursery because it caters to the individual needs of each child. The variety of activities available each day are both engaging and stimulating. My child is encouraged in all areas from singing, dancing, painting, drawing, role play and outdoor play. I love the
fact that my child can choose whether to play indoors or outdoors. The food offered is excellent. The staff team are always so happy, helpful and enthusiastic. Thank you.

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

Thank you for taking the time to leave this review! We really appreciate your comments!


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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The key persons that have looked after my daughter for the last fifteen months have all been very helpful, polite and my daughter has grown strong connections with some of the staff over this time. I know my daughter is always going to have a 'great day' at nursey and I am confident that if she is sad
or poorly they always let me know as soon as they can.

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

Thank you for taking the time to write this review, and for your comments! Our staff constantly work above and beyond to provide the best care and support, so we are delighted at how well your daughter has connected with her key person!


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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We’ve been with Choochoos Day Nursery for four years now for both of my children. Our children have both been so happy there and we’ve been really pleased with the care and service the nursery has provided over the years. The staff are really friendly and caring towards the children. Communication is
good.
My children love the food (which is varied and healthy) and they always eat everything on their plates. The resources for the children are great and age-appropriate.
Would definitely recommend.

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

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


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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Fantastic staff and setting! My son loves this nursery and they are all so good with him there. He has developed so much since attending and continues to enjoy himself. Such a variety of events.

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

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


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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My child is happy, is well looked after, making great progress across all areas of learning and has a great bond with all staff. She has made lots of friends. She often brings home art that she has created and speaks highly of her activities during the day.

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

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


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Current Review Score: 9.7 (9.690)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.7 (9.690) out of 10 for Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury 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 19 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 17 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 4.690 for Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury is calculated as follows: ( (174 Excellents x 5) + (36 Goods x 4) + (14 Satisfactorys x 3) + (2 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 226 Ratings = 4.69

  • 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 Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury is based on 17 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 69 number of registered child places is 13.8, which has been reached with 17 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.

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Meet the Team (1)

Meg

Meg Knight

Job Title: Nursery Manager, Safeguarding, Health and Safety, First Aider

Joined: 2018

Hi! I'm Meg and I'm the Nursery Manager here at Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury. I also am qualified for Level 3 in Childcare.


Every child learns individually and at Choochoos, we adapt to the needs at every stage of development as well as help them to set responsible boundaries


We look forward to welcoming you to our nursery!


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