Choochoos Day Nursery Dover

Crabble Hill, Dover CT17 0QD
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9.9 32 Reviews
  • Choochoos Day Nursery Dover, Dover
Choochoos Day Nursery Dover is the perfect setting for parents looking for a happy and engaging learning environment, nestled next to the scenic river Dour. Located in River, in the outskirts of Dover, the nursery is surrounded by beautiful countryside, inspiring the free-flow outdoor environment. Formerly a doctor’s surgery, it has two open-plan ground floor rooms.

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 children. The opened planned spaces are based on one level with access to a carefully constructed garden equipped especially for children under two.

The Caterpillar and Butterfly room for 2-5 year olds, encourages free-flow play inside and out, where children can explore many activities. As children make the transition from Babychoos, the room is oozing with a wealth of resources, which aim to inject fun into every child’s day and encourage a zest for learning. The room is spacious and inviting with opportunities for learning wherever you turn.

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Care Provided by Choochoos Day Nursery Dover

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Hayley Simpson (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 14
  • Total Places for Children
  • 51
  • 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 & 2 weeks at Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Choochoos Day Nursery Dover

  • AM/PM Session £39.20, Full Day Session £67.40, Short Day Session £55.60 (Under 3)


    AM/PM Session £36.50, Full Day Session £66.20, Short Day session £54.60 (Over 3)


    We're making childcare more accessible to families:


    * FREE nursery childcare for siblings of registered children!*
    * Fully flexible
    * No meal, consumable or enhancement charges
    * Part & fully funded places available


    * Terms and conditions apply

  • 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

  • The nursery has free parking and a safe drop off area.


Choochoos Day Nursery Dover Reviews (32)

Total of 32, showing 1-20
9.9

Choochoos Day Nursery Dover has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.911) out of 10, based on 17 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Choochoos Day Nursery Dover has 32 reviews.

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Review from Charlotte B (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am delighted to share my thoughts on the outstanding team at Choochoos Dover. From the moment we both stepped into the nursery, the team's expertise and dedication have made the transition into nursery life a seamless and joyful experience.
My daughter eagerly looks forward to nursery mornings,
thanks to the nurturing environment created by the team. The use of the app to provide updates on my daughter's activities is so reassuring. The team are so good at keeping me informed about my daughter's happiness and well-being. Communication is outstanding.
We've witnessed a noticeable improvement in my daughter's socialisation skills and fine motor skills. It's amazing to see her growth, both in character and abilities, and it is evident that the nursery plays a significant role in her development.
Thank you to the whole team!

Reply from Angela Bailey, Head of Customer Experience at Choochoos Day Nursery Dover

We are so happy to read that your daughter has had such a positive experience with us and that the team's dedication and hard work have made the transition so smooth. It's fantastic to know you're seeing great progress in her socialisation and motor skills. Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a detailed review.


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Review from Kimberly H (Grandmother of Child) published on 17 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Great playschool and loverly staff and have a lot to offer great value for money My grandchild has been very welcomed and was happy to go off on her own with no worries she has settled in very well and and is very excited to go to playschool

Reply from Angela Bailey, Head of Customer Experience at Choochoos Day Nursery Dover

We're so happy to hear your granddaughter has settled in well and enjoys coming to nursery. Thank you for leaving us a review.


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Review from A W (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little one started here in early Jan this year, she went straight into the bigger room and she absolute loves it! The staff are fantastic, I have confidence in their ability as an educational provider but also feel that the environment is safe and secure. The team are welcoming, professional and
friendly. The activities provided both inside and outside have allowed my child to show real development socially which is fantastic. I would highly recommend Choo Choos.

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

Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're so pleased to hear how much your little one is enjoying their time at ChooChoos and that you feel confident in our team and environment. It's wonderful to know the activities are supporting their social development. We really appreciate your kind words and recommendation!


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Review from Rob B (Father of Child) published on 17 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

ChooChoos Dover has been an incredible nursery for our twin children over the past few years. The team has always been so supportive, caring, and welcoming, creating a wonderful environment for the little ones to learn and grow. We've seen first-hand how much effort they put into making every child
feel safe, happy, and nurtured. If anyone is looking for a nursery they can truly trust, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend ChooChoos - they've been fantastic for our family.

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

Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're so glad to hear that your twins have had such a positive experience at ChooChoos Dover. Creating a supportive and nurturing environment is so important to us, and it's lovely to know it has made a difference for your family.


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Review from Kyla M (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Choochoos is an amazing nursery. They have done an amazing job on helping my daughter that used to struggle with her Speach. My daughters been with choochoos since 2023. We love all the nursery practitioners there. We would highly recommend choochoos.

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

Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're so pleased to hear how much progress your daughter has made with her speech and that you've had such a positive experience with our team.


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Review from Selina C (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I viewed 3 different nurseries in Dover and Choo Choos was definitely the best choice for my 2 year old that had never been in a nursery setting before. It had all of the practical things you'd want - times suited around work, parking, outdoor space, on-site cooked meals but overall it was the warm,
welcoming home from home atmosphere that made my decision really easy. It was evident the children were really happy to be there and they were being nurtured and encouraged in all aspects. My daughter has been going now for 2 mornings a week since January and the progress she has made with her speech and confidence has been amazing to see as she's always taken a while to warm up to new people but the team have been so patient and are all so friendly. I would 100% recommend!

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

Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're so pleased that you felt ChooChoos Dover was the right choice for your little one and that our warm, welcoming environment made the decision easier. It's fantastic to hear how much progress your daughter has made in confidence and speech-we know how important those early steps are!


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Review from N B (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have had a great experience since joining ChooChoos nursery a year ago. My little girl has come on so much in terms of her general confidence, speech, fine motor, counting and more. Very nurturing & have a good range of activities. Would highly recommend.

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

Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're so pleased to hear how much your little girl has grown in confidence and skills since joining us. Providing a nurturing environment with a variety of activities is something we strive for, so it's wonderful to know it's made a difference. We really appreciate your recommendation!"


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Review from Jessica A (Mother of Child) published on 20 December 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child has always settled so well at Choochoos Day Nursery and enjoys his time there. He has developed so well and we always have no qualms that he is well cared for. The staff are caring and professional. We will be sad when it's time for him to leave.

Reply from Angela Bailey, Head of Customer Experience at Choochoos Day Nursery Dover

It is lovely to read how well your son has developed since attending our setting. Thank you for sharing your experience.


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Review from K L (Mother of Child) published on 13 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I was nervous putting my child in a bigger setting than he was used to, but the staff have been amazing with settling him in, and he’s reached the point where he talks about the staff at home and asks to come to the nursery on the weekends, which makes me so happy and shows what an amazing job they
do!

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Review from Gabriela C (Mother of Child) published on 13 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child goes to this nursery, staff are all friendly, caring and knowledgeable. My son has made quite the progress since starting nursery. Management and staff helped with the special needs sessions and paperwork that needed completing. Overall happy with this nursery. My son likes it. Can’t thank
them enough for their help and support.

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Review from S E (Mother of Child) published on 8 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Choochoo’s in Dover have been fantastic, supportive and helpful since we started in the summer of 2023. All the staff are friendly, polite and professional, but the biggest thing for me, my son enjoys going there, and the staff enjoy having my son.

Reply from Joanne Wright, Chief Marketing Officer at Choochoos Day Nursery Dover

The team will love to read your kind words; thank you very much.


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Review from Laura S (Mother of Child) published on 18 July 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot recommend Choochoos Day Nursery in Dover enough! Every team member is wonderful, and they all really care about the children.
I was initially anxious about our son attending a nursery, but throughout his time in Baby Choos, and now in the older room, he couldn't love it more.
He gets excited
for the next day's activities, and always shows us what the team have set up for the following day when we pick him up in the evenings. His speech has come on so much since attending, and he's made so many friends. We're so happy we found ChooChoos.

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

Thank you for your review about our nursery in Dover, we really appreciate it!


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Review from B W (Mother of Child) published on 14 July 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter is very happy at Choochoos Day Nursery and all of the staff are attentive and caring. She loves going every time and has such a close relationship with all the teachers. The food is amazing, she loves it and enjoys playing in the garden and singing songs.

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

Thank you for your review, we really appreciate it!


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Review from leanne B (Mother of Child) published on 21 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

ChooChoo's are fabulous!
The staff are amazing, kind, helpful and super hero's who I trust to love, guide and nurture my daughter and the proof is in the pudding!
My daughter is happy and engaged and looks forward to her afternoons at ChooChoo's where she eats yummy nutritious food and plays coordinated
and considered games and exercises all designed to develop her mind, body and character!
I am beyond impressed with the management and my daughter's buddy - all of who are loved and respected by my daughter and me. Not forgetting another member of staff who adds another layer of awesomeness to the team as she shares my ideas of firm but fair with oodles of cuddles to boot.
Having served as a Captain in the British Army for many years this 'operation' of child care is second to none!
Well done warriors - keep up the amazing work!

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

Thank you so much for your review! We really appreciate it!


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Review from Anne P (Mother of Child) published on 17 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Really happy with the nursery, all the staff and the handover we get and how they care for our child.
My only criticisms are head office and billing. Our bills are always wrong, you can’t speak to anyone directly in head office or billing and it can take them anything up to a week to reply to emails.
Given the current financial climate, having bills sent wrong or late and having emails demanding payment on a bill that’s wrong really is stressful.

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

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We are delighted to hear that you are happy with the high-quality childcare that our nursery team provide.
We are sorry to hear that there have been issues with your invoices. We have raised this with the billing team who will contact you directly to understand the issues further.
We always value feedback, so please do not hesitate to contact us directly to discuss any further concerns you may have. Thank you again for taking the time to write us a review.


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Review from K H (Mother of Child) published on 17 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My twins started nursery at 9 months old and they love it. I can really see their independence shining through after they've been and they are always babbling more. The nursery treats them as two separate babies and really takes into our account our routine and makes it a home from home. They get so
much out of their day at nursery from art, to messy play and getting outside whatever the weather. The staff regularly update the app too so we can see what they've been getting up to.

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

Thank you for your review, we really appreciate it!


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Review from P M (Mother of Child) published on 14 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son loves his nursery and never wants to come home, he is also very eager to go to nursery and can get very emotional during half terms. I have never had anything to moan about and my son was very upset when I explained he would be going to a new school soon. Overall, I have been very happy with
the facilities, staff and the care for my child.

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

Thank you for your review, we really appreciate it!


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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff are friendly and take such great care of my daughter. She comes home happy, satisfied and often singing a new song they have taught her. Definitely would recommend to anyone looking for a nursery for their little one.

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

Thank you so much for your kind review, we really appreciate it!


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Review from Jessica M (Mother of Child) published on 11 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my kids have been to Choochoos Day Nursery over the last four years and both loved and continue to love their time and continue to enjoy time at the setting. The staff are amazing and always on hand to help shall I need it, brilliant work.

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

Thank you so much for your review, we really appreciate it!


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Review from Kirsty L (Mother of Child) published on 9 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child is very happy at Choochoos, he has some additional needs and the staff have been very supportive to make the environment a safe and happy place for him. The staff are always friendly and helpful, I feel that they care about the well-being of my child and that is my top priority for his nursery.

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

Thank you so much for your review, we really appreciate it!


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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.911)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.911) out of 10 for Choochoos Day Nursery Dover 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 17 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 4.911 for Choochoos Day Nursery Dover is calculated as follows: ( (185 Excellents x 5) + (16 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 202 Ratings = 4.911

  • 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 Dover 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 51 number of registered child places is 10.2, 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.

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

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Meet the Team (1)

Hayley

Hayley Simpson

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2015

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


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


We look forward to welcoming you to our nursery!


Frequently Asked Questions about Choochoos Day Nursery Dover

What is the Age Range of Children that Choochoos Day Nursery Dover accepts?

Choochoos Day Nursery Dover accepts Children aged from 0 years 0 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Choochoos Day Nursery Dover Open?

Choochoos Day Nursery Dover is open: 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.

How many Children does Choochoos Day Nursery Dover have capacity for?

Choochoos Day Nursery Dover has capacity for a total of 51 Children.

How far is Choochoos Day Nursery Dover to the centre of Dover?

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

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