Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start)

22-23 Overcliffe, Gravesend DA11 0EH
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9.9 47 Reviews
  • Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start), Gravesend
Windmill Nursery School (previously Smart Start Nursery School) is located inside two Victorian townhouses in Gravesend, Kent. Their team of educators are experienced and passionate about providing premium education and care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years old.

At Windmill you’ll find a home-from-home environment with tailored spaces to suit children at every age of their time at the nursery. Babies enjoy sensory discovery and gentle play, with free access to resources and the large garden area. Toddlers also enjoy time outdoors as well as caring for the nursery budgies, Jelly and Olaf. Preschool children focus on developing an understanding of phonics, numbers and their social skills.

The nursery’s learning-approach is tailored to allow children to develop at their own pace in their own time, combining the Early Years Foundation Stage framework with their own learning programmes.

At mealtimes, children enjoy freshly prepared food by the onsite chef using local and seasonal produce where possible. Older children help with food preparation in the kitchen.

Windmill prides itself on developing close relationships with parents, working with them to create a partnership that enhances children’s learning and development.

Care Provided by Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start)

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Roisin O'Connell (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 25
  • Total Places for Children
  • 84
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 2 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start)

  • Full day (7:30 am to 6:30 pm) from £67.50


  • We want to make life simple, so our fees include infant formula, milk, freshly prepared snacks, and meals. We also provide nappies, wipes, and sun cream, or parents can bring their own if they prefer.


Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) Reviews (47)

Total of 47, showing 41-47
9.9

Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.870) out of 10, based on 37 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) has 47 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my boys attended this nursery, my youngest 'graduated' from the pre-school in the summer of 2022. Both kids loved it here! The staff are very friendly, warm and responsive, the boys felt cared for and that showed when sharing their experience at home. The management is also very responsive. Our
favourite feature was definitely the large garden, kids really enjoyed the space! The building itself perhaps needs some renovations, we have seen some of that taking place already. Overall, the boys wanted to go to nursery every day and they had a smile at pick up which says a lot about the great time they had. As a mum, I was pleased to see how caring the staff has been, especially when a child was upset and they were even reassuring towards me during the initial moments of separation. I highly recommend this nursery and I am pleased that both my boys had such a positive first experience, thank you!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My twins have loved coming to the nursery since they were 13-months. All the staff are hardworking and friendly, and my twins are getting the best care and support that is needed for them. They have a great outdoor space, and the twins are always talking about going into the garden. We are always informed
about any latest news or anything concerning our twins via phone or email.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Extremely pleased with this nursery. I have two children who attend this nursery and cannot explain how please I am with the service they provide. The staff are really friendly and look after the children. I have never had to complain. It's a very clean nursery and lots of things for the children to
do, the garden is outstanding with lots of fun things for the children. Overall, highly recommended.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Our daughter has loved attending Smart Start Nursery. The staff were always very friendly, helpful and they went over and beyond during lockdown. I want to thank you for providing a fun, caring environment during lockdown for our daughter, under very difficult circumstances, and being very flexible.
We will definitely recommend you to other families.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Amazing staff and amazing attitude. I can’t want for more. My daughter was really happy to go to the nursery. She really, really enjoyed the adventure and really loved all the teachers. I give five stars because you guys deserve it. Thank you very much for your help and for your care. Kind regards.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very nice staff and they look after the children very well.
Nice building with a big garden and the opening hours are matched very well with parent's requirements.
Good Ofsted rating. Highly recommend it.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of my sons attended Smart Start Nursery and thoroughly enjoyed it. The staff are extremely caring, helpful and approachable. Both of my sons developed wonderful relationships with the staff and speak about them at home all of the time. The staff have great knowledge of the children and set up wonderful
activities to support the children in their development. We are all very sad that due to the lockdown our children were unable to finish their time here as we had planned and we ate all very sad that they missed there last few months at what has been a wonderful start to their learning and development.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.870)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.870) out of 10 for Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) 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 37 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 37 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 4.870 for Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) is calculated as follows: ( (387 Excellents x 5) + (48 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) + (1 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 439 Ratings = 4.87

  • 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 Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) is based on 37 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 84 number of registered child places is 16.8, which has been reached with 37 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

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (4)

Top 20 Large Nursery Groups 2023

Recipient: Storal

Date: Friday 28 Apr 2023 More details

Top 20 Large Nursery Groups 2022

Recipient: Storal

Date: Friday 29 Apr 2022 More details

Top 20 Large Nursery Groups 2020

Recipient: Storal

Date: Tuesday 31 Mar 2020 More details

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Meet the Team (1)

No image found

Jessica

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2024

Hello and welcome to Windmill Nursery School in Gravesend.
Every day at Windmill we encourage children to be inquisitive and creative in our stimulating learning environment. In doing so, they soon develop a real love of learning and a curious mind.


Our experienced team come with a wealth of early years learning insight. We know that every child is different with their own story to tell, so we make sure that your child learns in a way and at a pace that’s right for them.


Our happy nursery allows children to imagine, wonder and learn, both indoors and outside, whether it’s our creative play and sensory rooms or our large garden that’s ready for adventures. We work collaboratively with parents, a partnership that truly enhances children's learning and development.


We’d love you to come and visit us and look forward to meeting you and your family.