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 21-32
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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  • 27
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Review from Rebecca P (Mother of Child) published on 9 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Every single staff member is wonderful. They are so supportive and caring, ensuring the children have a fun but educational day every day. I look forward to my regular updates on the app, and any questions about anything are answered as quickly as possible.

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 C C (Mother of Child) published on 9 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Really happy with the nursery, couldn’t have chosen a more reliable friendly nursery than choochoos! They’ve always kept me up to date with my child’s progress and continue to help my child thrive in his daily activities when he attends.

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 Yvette M (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has settled really well and quickly at Choochoos Day Nursery Dover. He loves the outside space especially. All the staff are really caring and so approachable it really is a lovely nursery which has a lovely family feel.

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

Hi and thank you for taking the time to write this review, the team will really appreciate your comments!


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Review from D C (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Since the beginning, my child has come on leaps and bounds in his development in all areas. The bonding process with his key person has helped especially settling him after being upset going into the nursery. Staff have always been friendly and keep us in the loop with his progress either face to face
or through the app. The catering side is good as it’s varied and nutritious.

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

Hi and thank you so much for your kind review - we are delighted to hear how well your child has progressed and settled into our nursery!


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Review from Samantha B (Mother of Child) published on 28 July 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5

Before being taken over, Choochoos was a lot more accommodating if I had to change sessions at late notice due to shift at working changing, also I get free hours for my daughter and food was included. This is now an extra outgoing which I didnt have to do before.
I would have liked some more learning
opportunities for my daughter as she is one of the eldest and needs stimulation. Could have a more child-friendly menu. Thanks.

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

Thank you for taking the time to write us a review. We will always try to accommodate a change of sessions at late notice where possible, however, due to staff scheduling, this is not always possible. Unfortunately, as with many sectors across the country, Early Years has been affected in the last 12 months by severe staff shortages. We are working hard to ensure that we have well-qualified and experienced staff at all of our sites but this does mean that we are not always able to accommodate last-minute changes to sessions.
The introduction of an Additional Service Charge for 3 and 4-year-old funded places is due to the Government scheme not covering the costs of meals, nappies (where required), extra activities and staff training. We, therefore, include a small charge for meals and extras. The EYE Code of Practice recognises the need for this and we are aware that freshly-prepared meals continue to be a very important part of the day. Thank you again for your feedback.


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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My daughter enjoys her time at nursery. The staff look after her very well. She was born with health conditions and all staff were very helpful, giving her the best quality of care possible! Care plans were put in place and I knew she was being cared for well.

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

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review! Our teams work above and beyond to provide the best of care for all the children, so we are delighted to hear that your daughter is well looked after!


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Review from Nathan F (Father of Child) published on 3 March 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

In the three years that my daughter has been coming to Choochoos Day Nursery my wife and I have found all the staff to have always been very friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and clearly take the time to update parents/guardians on what their child has been up to that day - that includes staff from
both the baby room and main room. My daughter really enjoys herself at Choochoos and it's been easy to see just how much she has learnt as well as building up her confidence. I couldn't recommend Choochoos highly enough. I love the app, as soon as I receive a notification to say a new post has been added I can't wait to see it, it's just so lovely getting that opportunity to see how your child is doing - especially when it's a full day away from parents. Such a lovely nursery, well done to all involved.

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

Thank you for taking the time to write this review and for your amazing feedback! We are thrilled to hear of how well your daughter has settled into nursery life!


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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All staff are approachable, friendly and helpful and I feel happy leaving my child at Choochoos Day Nursery Dover. The activities are well planned and my son always has a great time there. Communication is good. My son especially loves the outside area.

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

Thank you for taking the time to write this review and for your lovely comments! We are delighted to hear how well your son is getting on and enjoying nursery life!


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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

It’s a great nursery, lovely staff, the ladies really care and try and make going a happy time. The activities are great. Also, love the app so you get a good understanding of what your child is doing and pictures as well.

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

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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has attended this nursery since she was 9-months-old, she has transitioned from the baby room to the main room.
She enjoys going to every session and always has fun with her friends learning and playing. I have seen a real difference in her speech and confidence since she has been going
to nursery, I would most definitely recommend Choochoos Day Nursery to any parent.

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

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


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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Lovely nursery. My child is always happy to be coming in and staff are lovely here, she is learning new things every day and recognising different things, I definitely made the right choice in choosing this nursery.

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

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


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Review from Jo M (Mother of Child) published on 1 November 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been going here since he was 7-months-old. He’s always happy to go and enjoys every session from the food to playing with friends. It’s given him the confidence to mix with other children and feel secure around adults other than his family.
I would recommend Choochoos Day Nursery Dover
to any parent.

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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!


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