KatieB Kids Nursery

The Chapel of St Luke, Chapel Drive, Stone, Dartford DA2 6FF
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32 Reviews
  • KatieB Kids Nursery, Dartford
KatieB Kids Nursery and School of Early Childhood is passionate about giving young children the best possible foundation for life – emotionally, physically and intellectually.

Their mission is to create a daytime family, rooted in happiness, where childhood is just as it should be. This is done by creating a unique day-time family, filled with love, care and fun, partnered with academic expertise, all together in an inspiring and nurturing environment.

Their approach is completely child-centred. The foundation of the progressive curriculum is the internationally acclaimed educational philosophy of Reggio Emilia, drawing on aspects of Montessori, Forest School and Heuristic play.

Harnessing children’s natural curiosity and creativity, the nursery uses innovative activities, projects and hands-on play to explore, investigate and experiment and spend lots of quality time enjoying nature and the great outdoors every day.

Every child is listened to and given time to explore their feelings, ideas and theories. The nursery values respect, empathy, freedom and democracy to support children’s mental, moral and social development - a great base for academic learning in primary school.

From babies and toddlers through to 3 and 4-year-olds, the contemporary learning programme is bespoke to each child.

The outstanding early years educators build on individual strengths and passions, allowing children to learn at their own pace and enjoy a range of experiences from reading, science, maths and geography to yoga, art, nature and woodwork.

From getting to know you and your child through home visits, to creating a space for families to come together for events and festivals, they are there to make your child’s childhood full of happiness, and to support you in your journey as a parent.

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Care Provided by KatieB Kids Nursery

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

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • KTB Kids
  • Person in charge
  • Katie Ballard (Owner)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 19
  • Total Places for Children
  • 77
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 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 & 1 week at Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for KatieB Kids Nursery

  • Our website has full details of our fees.

  • Fees are subject to an annual fee increase in April. Visit our website for further fee information.
    We have a limited number of fully funded spaces including FF2 and 30 hours.

KatieB Kids Nursery Reviews (32)

Total of 32, showing 21-32

Over all time KatieB Kids Nursery has 32 reviews.

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  • 28
  • 4
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Review from Haizea B (Mother of Child) published on 19 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My son attended KTB for almost 2 years on a full-time basis. I'm quite pleased with the care he has received at the nursery and very pleased with his development. My only concern would be the frequency on which his key person was being changed. In 2 years I believe it may have changed 5 times, perhaps
even more. I found this concerning as he had to bond with someone new all over again. It seemed to get easier as he got older.


The facilities at the nursery are fantastic, it is spotlessly clean and the cook makes amazing, healthy food for them which I know will be hard to find anywhere else. They also have a very good setting for nap times and their daily updates are good. They do all sort of creative activities with the children, including cooking from a VERY young age. It is a fantastic nursery and genuinely cares about the children in their care. Staff turnover is my only concern.


Thank you for all the hard work.


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Review from Sid (Father of Child) published on 28 June 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The standard of care and attention to my child has always been excellent, for me that's the most important criteria. My infant child loves arriving at the nursery and hates leaving despite a long 12 hour day, her body language speaks volumes. The nursery has no outside space which may concern parents
but this is compensated by trips to the park, a great way to familiarise the surrounding environment as well as play. My child has developed a wide range of skills many of which I credit the nursery. You will be hard pressed to find better in Dartford.

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Review from Judith C (Mother of Child) published on 26 June 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is a very welcoming nursery with such lovely girls that look after my son, who has been at the nursery from 6 months and is now 18 months old. It is a second home for him and he loves to be there and even when I pick him up at the end of the day, he wants to continue playing. At pick up every day,
I receive excellent updates on his day, including how much sleep he had, and how well he ate his meals. This is really useful especially for my son who practically spends the whole day and week at the nursery. I unreservedly recommend this nursery to other parents who work full time.

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Review from Hayley G (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

KTB Kids offer very high standards of care for the children. When I went back to work when my daughter was 7 months old I wanted a nursery where my children would have access to a variety of experiences as well as good quality, healthy food, both of which she gets at KTB Kids. The staff, especially
her key person helped her to settle quickly and now as an active 15-month old, I can really see the difference that being at nursery has made to her growing independence and development.

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Review from Amelia I (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is a very good nursery, in my opinion. I chose it after visiting the majority of nurseries in the town centre. It has a very nice personnel, the girls are always smiling and caring towards the kids, the food is very healthy, most of it from organic sources. Even if the nursery doesn't have a garden,
the children are taken out daily to the park, which I think is better, as it gives them the possibility to learn more about street crossing, walking at the same pace as their colleagues, also.

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Review from Rosie (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

After originally being slightly concerned about sending my daughter to nursery I looked around a number of nurseries and wasn't happy with the large business like structure of them. As soon as I walked into KTB I knew I wanted to send my daughter there. It is a small intimate nursery with the most amazing
staff. The food provided is an amazing standard and got my fussy daughter trying new food. The sleep room was also a big seller with all the children having cots or cot beds rather than a sheet on the floor like others. I now have two children in the nursery and they adapt perfectly to their very different personalities. Couldn't recommend this nursery enough but my children are extremely happy there. I think the fact that there is no outside space benefits the children as they go out on visits to the park or library every day and get to experience new things.

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Review from Anna K (Mother of Child) published on 22 June 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son used to go to KTB nursery. He always was very happy there even in his difficult time's staff managed to comfort him. Until now he remembers all the trips to parks and really tasty lunches.
What I only would improve is to give a bit more attention on preschool children as I found my son not
being ready for reception, as other children were. I believe they already improved that but at that point in 2016, they were missing that bit. Also, my son used to go there only part time and he is three lingual. Overall rating 10/10

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Review from Mariya we (Mother of Child) published on 22 June 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

KTB provides good child care.
We are very pleased with our daughter's key person in the nursery. Our daughter was struggling to settle down for a few months and her key person helped a lot for this to improve. Now our daughter is going to the nursery with a smile waiting for her teacher to share what
happened to her. The facilities are kept clean. The nursery doesn't have outside space but it's not a disadvantage because they are taken on every day walk to the park.

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Review from Jan W (Foster Parent of Child) published on 22 June 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

As a foster parent, I have used many nursery/ preschool settings. I have been very impressed with the variety of activities and educational fun that this day nursery provides. Every member of staff is caring, knowledgeable and involved with the children. The owner is always available, as are the " hands
on"nursery manager. Each day there is a handover at the end and an opportunity to discuss the day's progress or difficulties. Whilst there is no outside area, the children are always out and about everyday on park walks etc and superbly supervised. The children here are always happy and confident. I feel sure that all the needs of the children are met and would be delighted to use this facility again. I am very impressed. It has to be said that there are quite a few that I would not!!!

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Review from Sylvia (Mother of Child) published on 17 June 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I'm very happy recommend KTB to everyone who is looking for safety and friendly nursery for little boys and girls. Kids really have fun with other pupils and staff. They always have best ideas for plays and teach something new every day. Great place for every child!

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Review from Charlotte (Mother of Child) published on 15 June 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My 2 childten love going to KTB Nursery, they have made some great friends and have made great relationships with their key worker and all members of staff. They supply healthy and fresh food, my children have begun to love a lot of foods they hadn't even tried before. Cannot fault the nursery at all.

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Review from F (Mother of Child) published on 7 June 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Brilliant nursery with lovely staff. My son loves it and has come along way with his speech and social skills since he started attending a year ago. I would definitely recommend this nursery to others.

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Overview of Review Score

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (2)

Soil Association Catering Mark Gold Standard

Recipient: KatieB Kids Nursery

Date: Friday 09 Oct 2015 More details

Food hygiene score '5''

Recipient: KatieB Kids Nursery

Date: Tuesday 14 Apr 2015 More details

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Meet the Team (3)

Katie

Katie Ballard

Job Title: Owner

Joined: 2014

With a passion for imaginative, active and outdoor play Katie understands the importance of investing in a child’s emotional, physical and cognitive development.


With this in mind, Katie launched the project of an independent day nursery in 2014. Katie strongly believes in the values of the nursery and that these are central to the happiness and fulfilment of the children attending.


Quality care is paramount, and understanding that this is an industry you enter to make a difference; Katie takes her responsibility to her staff, the families and the children seriously with a genuine effort to do the right thing by all.


Her own 3 children have all been through the nursery, her youngest from 6 months old. With a strong interest in supporting children in the 21st century, Katie’s particular enthusiasm is for protecting childhood with the increase of electronic devices and pressures from modern society and she regularly attends conferences and seminars on this topic.


Katie’s eldest son was born with a genetic syndrome and a serious complex heart condition. In January 2021 Katie took the chair position for the Noonan syndrome association, after being an active trustee since 2014.


Katie and her husband enjoy travelling, and the family have spent recent summers in America where they are exploring the national parks from Yellowstone to the Smoky Mountains.


Hayley

Hayley

Job Title: Early Years Professional

Joined: 2014

Hayley always knew that she wanted a career in care, but it was completing her A-levels in Health & Social Care and Sociology and her interest in Child Psychology that led her to specialise in education. Hayley loved her degree in Child Development and was particularly interested in the early years, understanding what a crucial time this is for building a secure foundation for later childhood and adulthood.


After graduating with a BA Hons degree Hayley specialised further in early years completing a master’s degree and gaining Early Years Professional Status. Hayley was offered her first nursery position as an early year’s manager in 2009 with the responsibility for curriculum planning and assessments in an outstanding independent preschool.


This term time position provided Hayley with an opportunity to also work with older children as a manager for holiday camps gaining valuable experience with children 4 to 8 years old. Hayley joined KTB Kids at the beginning, back in 2014. With a belief in the nursery ethos, Hayley wanted a practical management position where she would have the opportunity to make a positive difference to the children and to be able to support educators to fulfil their potential as early years educators.


In her role at KTB Kids Hayley thrives with the freedom she has to implement a curriculum that puts the children first. Hayley takes the time to really understand every child in the nursery and puts them at the centre of planning. Hayley has respect and passion for the genuine values that the nursery holds and is invested in spending time with every member of the team, listening to their ideas, and discussing ways to extend their teaching to ensure that adults recognise and capture every opportunity that enables a child to progress and be happy.


At home, Hayley loves DIY and craft activities and she enjoys creating handmade gifts for special celebrations.


Hayley and her husband love spending quality time with their daughter and appreciate the importance of ‘experiences’, such as day trips to the seaside or the zoo exploration at the park or woodlands and just being outdoors and active.


Louise

Louise

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2017

An article reporting the 5 first years of a child’s life to be the most important in development was the catalyst for Louise to embark upon a career in her early years.

With a good education- 10 GCSE grades A*/A, 3 A-levels at grade A- Louise chose a vocational route into Early Years Education at KTB Kids, joining as an apprentice preschool educator in April 2017. She then returned to University level study in September 2019 (following 2 years of a Modern Languages degree at the University of Nottingham) and studied Childhood and Youth Studies at the Open University alongside working as bank staff at KTB Kids.


Louise uses the child-centred approach at KTB Kids to ensure that the child is at the heart of their learning opportunities.


She loves her role as the facilitator, taking the thoughts and ideas of the children and creating opportunities from these that keep the children engaged and learning; all through play.


Louise has a passion for languages, is fluent in Spanish and French with conversational Portuguese, and would love to extend her travelling ambition in the future.


She has been working in her new role as Deputy Manager and Curriculum Lead since July 2020.


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