Garden Cottage Nursery

Kent College Junior School, Harbledown, Canterbury CT2 9AQ
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8.7 13 Reviews
  • Garden Cottage Nursery, Canterbury
Garden Cottage Nursery is based in Harbledown near Canterbury. It provides the foundation for children to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up in a safe, secure and happy environment.

The staff believe that ‘every child is unique’ and deserves the best possible start in life. They carefully support children in order that they fulfil their full potential.

They understand that children learn in different ways and deliver the curriculum using a range of visual, auditory and kinaesthetic teaching styles and approaches within a thematic approach. They plan learning opportunities around the children’s level of interest.

Making the exciting, natural outdoor environment accessible to children at all times is a wonderful way for them to encounter creatures, plants and objects in real life situations and undertake practical experiments.

The extensive outdoor environment allow children to be active and improve their skills of co-ordination, control, manipulation and movement.

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Care Provided by Garden Cottage Nursery

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

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • Kent College
  • Person in charge
  • Annise De-Ferrer (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 12
  • Total Places for Children
  • 32
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 0 months
    • to 3 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, Easter & Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Garden Cottage Nursery

  • Full Day: £75.25
    Half Day: £46.65
  • Parking

  • Parking is available inside the secure school site which can be entered by a security barrier.


Garden Cottage Nursery Reviews (13)

8.7

Garden Cottage Nursery has a Review Score of 8.7 (8.719) out of 10, based on 3 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Garden Cottage Nursery has 13 reviews.

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Review from N Y (Mother of Child) published on 20 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of my children who are turning 3 and 1 in June attend Garden Cottage Nursery. My oldest has been at the nursery for over a year now and he absolutely loves it! He has made such a great connection with the staff and his key workers in particular over this time and has so many friends I lose count
of all of their names. Since he started he has excelled in everything he does and they have helped with everything along the way. His imagination is so creative and attending the nursery just makes him so happy. My youngest is 9 months and started a couple of months ago. He also has a really special bond with his key worker which is so nice for me to see as he is very much a mummy's boy. They are both thriving and I would not want them to be anywhere else! A big thank you to everyone at Garden Cottage Nursery for making both mine and their nursery experience so good!

Reply from Annise De-Ferrer, Nursery Manager at Garden Cottage Nursery

Thank you so much for the wonderful review. It is lovely to hear that your boys are enjoying their time here and are thriving with their learning. It has been our pleasure to look after your boys over the years!


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Review from Alexandra G (Mother of Child) published on 20 March 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at Garden Cottage are excellent. My child loves attending nursery and he is developing really well. At the moment we are focusing on potty training which has been led by his key workers. They have encouraged and praised him with this and advised me on next steps. I would be lost without their
input and advice.

Reply from Annise De-Ferrer, Nursery Manager at Garden Cottage Nursery

Thank you for your kind words. I am glad you have found the key workers input with potty training helpful and it is lovely to hear he loves nursery so much. We are very lucky to get to share this journey with you!


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Review from R M (Mother of Child) published on 26 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We love Garden Cottage for so many reasons and our children have had the best start in life from spending their early years there.
Activities are exciting and carefully planned to capture children's imaginations. There are adventure walks, arts and crafts that reflect seasons or current topics but
also activities like collecting a snack from the kitchen or visiting the library to choose a book to be read to their friends. The freshly cooked meals change seasonally and always have a variety of vegetables and a range of proteins including fish, and a focus on reduced sugar. Puddings regularly contain sweet potato, courgette, avocado or oats. The management has an innate understanding of what makes kids and parents happy. The safe and loving environment comes from a sensible attitude and genuine passion for spending time with children and getting to know their families. Children are happy and confident and we are grateful to be able to leave our kids in their care every day.

Reply from Annise De-Ferrer, Nursery Manager at Garden Cottage Nursery

Thank you for your lovely review. It is amazing to hear how you have enjoyed Garden Cottage over the past few years and are happy with the food and activities provided. It has been our privilege to look after your children and help them develop into the beautiful people they have become.


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

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Great nursery. The staff are great, professional, caring and responsive. Kids are going outside a lot and they have plenty of different activities each week. My daughter has enjoyed every day since September. It is really nice to get that level of trust.

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Review from R J (Father of Child) published on 20 January 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

We like the intimate nature of the nursery and find the staff kind and helpful. Our only issue is that he has been bitten a couple of times by the same child.

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Review from Victoria CS (Mother of Child) published on 13 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Garden Cottage is an outstanding place. My child has been there for more than 1 year now and we are absolutely delighted with the staff, the infrastructure, the care that is provided, even the food given is amazing.
Nothing is ever a trouble, the staff are lovely and dedicated and incredibly flexible.
We see our child thrive day to day from her time there which is lovely. Activities indoors and outdoors are varied and educational. The nursery sits on a large forestry grounds where they go on 'frosty walks' in winter and 'adventures' in summer.
They truly believe in the parents and nursery working together to find the best approach to the children.
We could not be more satisfied with the nursery and warmly recommend it to anyone.

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Review from A P (Mother of Child) published on 13 January 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Good calm nursery with stable, committed staff and good opening hours.

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Review from L C (Mother of Child) published on 13 January 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Lovely nursery.
My son is very happy attending this nursery.
Staff are very friendly and professional.

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Review from A M (Mother of Child) published on 1 January 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I could not be more satisfied with the experience my son receives at this nursery. The staff go above and beyond to care for the children, and I trust them implicitly. My son learns so much there and ofter is having so much fun he doesn't want to leave. I would thoroughly recommend Garden Cottage Nursery
for excellence in every way.

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Review from T H (Father of Child) published on 9 December 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son attends the Garden Cottage and I’ve found it to be a really caring and nurturing environment with fantastic facilities and lovely staff. He especially loves the visits by the farm animals, music Fridays and the menu!

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Review from Barbara (Mother of Child) published on 9 December 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have sent my son to this nursery since he's been one year old. He goes full days Monday to Friday. The staff and the management is outstanding as well as the facilities. They are very flexible and I feel my son is in safe hands. My son is bilingual (English and Spanish) and they help him pick up both
languages which I find very valuable. The activities are varied, they do an amazing job in documenting with photos and comments, all that our child is doing and developing, the food menu is fantastic. I’m now pregnant with my second child and I’m looking to sending the new baby to Garden Cottage too as it has been a great experience for my child and for us so far. I can strongly recommend it!

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Review from D H (Mother of Child) published on 9 December 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are so impressed with everything at Garden Cottage Nursery. Both of my children are there and are very happy. Amazing cooked healthy meals every day is a huge plus.
Both boy's development has come on greatly since starting the nursery. I couldn't recommend this nursery enough.

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Review from Andrew G (Father of Child) published on 16 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Kent College Nursery has been responsible for looking after my two sons from the age of three, they are now seven and nine and have continued their studies at the junior school. The staff are extremely caring, kind-natured and helpful - all the elements you need to feel as you hand over your child for
an exciting day ahead. My particular situation was more challenging as my wife sadly passed away when the boys were aged only three and five. The Nursery staff provided an amazing amount of support, and in my opinion went beyond their duties to really help the boys adjust to their 'new life' without their Mother.
The facilities, grounds, opportunities and even trips outside of the school provide a wonderful environment for any child to grow and explore - learning here is fun.


I would not hesitate to recommend Kent College Nursery to any parent wishing to give their child the best start available.


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Current Review Score: 8.7 (8.719)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.7 (8.719) out of 10 for Garden Cottage Nursery is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 3 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.7 out of 5 from 3 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 5.000 for Garden Cottage Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (36 Excellents x 5) ) ÷ 36 Ratings = 5

  • 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 3.719 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Garden Cottage Nursery is based on 3 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 = 3.25

    • 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 32 number of registered child places is 6.4. 3 Positive Reviews ÷ 6.4 = 0.469

  • 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 (0)

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Frequently Asked Questions about Garden Cottage Nursery

What is the Age Range of Children that Garden Cottage Nursery accepts?

Garden Cottage Nursery accepts Children aged from 0 years 0 months to 3 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Garden Cottage Nursery Open?

Garden Cottage Nursery is open: 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.

How many Children does Garden Cottage Nursery have capacity for?

Garden Cottage Nursery has capacity for a total of 32 Children.

How far is Garden Cottage Nursery to the centre of Canterbury?

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 Garden Cottage Nursery to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Garden Cottage Nursery has an Enhanced Service – more info.