Play Pavilion Pre-School

Gravesend RFC, Donald Biggs Drive, Gravesend DA12 2TL
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9.9 9 Reviews
  • Play Pavilion Pre-School, Gravesend
Play Pavilion Pre School is a brand new and vibrant setting that will be making a difference to children and adults in the local area.
Play Pavilion is located out of the spacious main hall at Gravesend RFC with access to the wonderful outside space that offers different environments for all children. Play Pavilion has the biggest garden in Kent.

It is a new Pre School that opened in January 2025 for ALL children from 2-5 years old, open 50 weeks of the year from 8:30am - 5:30pm.
Giving the children the right amount of time to play, learn and have fun making new friendships and experiences to build the foundations needed for the children to form solid learning frameworks for the future. The outdoors is the second classroom and your child/ren will flourish.

The outstanding and friendly team provide a fun and quality educational experience utilising the outdoor spaces as much as possible to promote the children's learning across all 7 areas of development. Play Pavilion prides itself on providing the warmest, friendliest and safest environment in which they foster confident, independent and happy children. It has one of the largest play rooms around which allows the children to explore all seven areas of learning and more, with confidence and no restrictions.

Come and see play pavilion now, book a nursery tour and don’t miss the chance to join in with the new approach to childcare.

Care Provided by Play Pavilion Pre-School

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

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • Sam Howard
  • Person in charge
  • Robert Danks (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 4
  • Total Places for Children
  • 32
  • Age Range
    • from 2 years 0 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 08:00-17:30
    Tuesday 08:00-17:30
    Wednesday 08:00-17:30
    Thursday 08:00-17:30
    Friday 08:00-17:30
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays, 2 weeks at Christmas & staff training days

Funding & Fees Guide for Play Pavilion Pre-School

  • 8:00-8:30am = £10
    8:30 - 12:30 = £30 per morning session
    12:30-1:30pm = £5
    1:30 - 5:30 = £30 per afternoon session
    8:30 - 5:30 = £65 per day


  • Minimum sessions apply
    We accept all Government Tax-Free childcare vouchers and have funded places available for 2 - 4 year olds on limited places


  • Parking
  • Car parking on request.


Play Pavilion Pre-School Reviews (9)

9.9

Play Pavilion Pre-School has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.862) out of 10, based on 9 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Play Pavilion Pre-School has 9 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Play Pavilion is a wonderful new place for kids to learn and grow! The teachers are caring and professional, and the play-based learning approach is fantastic. Plus, the outdoor area is safe and fun. My son love it! Highly recommend for parents looking for a nurturing preschool.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my boys absolutely love it here, the staff are all very friendly and caring. The boys settled in straight away when they first started, the boys come home and can't wait to tell us what they have been doing, when I ask them how their day has been they always tell me it was really good. The boys
love being outside and they spend a lot of time outside at the nursery which is great playing sports and getting lots of fresh air. The nursery hours are great and they are open 50 weeks of the year including half terms which has allowed me to start working again too.
My eldest son can be challenging at times and I have really seen a difference in his behaviour at home since he has started, which I think is due to the male presence at nursery. I also really enjoy the updates on the family app for the boys progress and what they have been getting up to.
When I asked what the boys favourite things about nursery are they said
playing football on the astroturf and their friends :)

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

If I could give 10 stars I would. This is my first experience in brining my daughter to a nursery and Play Pavillion Staff have been amazing and really supportive in helping me to arrange the hours which would be the most suitable for us. Since my daughter started the nursery she has never been happier.
They do so many activities with the kids and take them outdoors. Definitely an amazing place to bring your kids, and the staff is amazing with the kids. Honestly cannot recommend and thank them enough.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Good communication, lovely clean setting with lots of inside and outside space and lots of range of toys. Lots of updates and pictures, easy settling in process. My boy enjoys going and settled in really well.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter is always excited to go to nursery, And during the short period she started with them,I have seen so many improvements, the teachers are doing great jobs,and they have a listening ears,and they pay attention to each of the children needs,they are also welcoming and helpful,.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter and I are very happy with this nursery, after a terrible experience else where she has come on leaps and bounds and absolutely loves it here. She is a completely different child and thats thanks to the staff and the fantastic settings they have here. We love the fact they have an extensive
indoor and outdoor space and love getting them outside so they get a mixed variety and every day is not the same. The staff are lovely and always keep you updated regularly on progress. One very happy parent and most importantly a happy child who actually wants to go to nursery. Would highly recommend to any parent!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Since my son started in January he was very shy. He has really come out of his shell and gained alot of confidence around other people and other children.
He is always talking about the teachers and how much fun he has. He is learning new skills everyday he is there.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son really struggled with separation anxiety and since finding this preschool my son now has the confidence to leave me. All the staff are extremely polite and caring. The children that go here are always so happy. My little ones love it so much they never want to leave and forever asking to go back
on the days they don't attend. The room is clean with plenty of equipment and toys for the children. The outdoor fun is amazing too as my children LOVE being outside. The fact the area is in a secure place, also made this preschool the top of my list. We was on a waiting list for over a year and found here who have been nothing but amazing since we started. My daughter also attends before she starts school and it's been a great way for her to understand boundaries and routine as well as emotions. She's always that excited to be at school she's a little tornado. The staff here have made my children feel welcomed, cared for and SAFE!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am so happy with my son's experience at Play Pavilion. After just one month, I have already noticed a significant improvement in his development. The staff are incredibly caring and attentive, always making sure he feels comfortable and supported.
One thing I truly appreciate is the regular feedbacks
I receive. Every week, they provide me with detailed observations about my son's progress, which gives me great confidence in his learning and well-being. The environment is warm, nurturing, and perfect for his growth.
I highly recommend to any parent looking for a supportive and professional early learning setting!

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.862)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.862) out of 10 for Play Pavilion Pre-School 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 9 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.9 out of 5 from 9 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 4.962 for Play Pavilion Pre-School is calculated as follows: ( (100 Excellents x 5) + (4 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 104 Ratings = 4.962

  • 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 4.9 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Play Pavilion Pre-School is based on 9 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 = 3.9

    • 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, which has been reached with 9 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

15 Child Vacancies

posted 21 Apr 2025

We have already enrolled a number of children in 3 months but we still have some availability.We are taking 2, 3 and 4 year olds that are Fully funded and paid or a mixture of the two.


Awards / Recognitions (0)

There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for Play Pavilion Pre-School

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Meet the Team (4)

Sam

Sam Howard

Job Title: Owner

Joined: 2024

Sam has over 20 years of teaching experience. Sam is a local Gravesend boy who grew up playing rugby at Gravesend RFC, he went on to play rugby for England at all age groups and had a professional career at Blackheath, Bedford and Exeter Chiefs. He is also a qualified teacher and has been Director of Rugby at Dulwich College and Eltham College whilst also teaching at Dartford Grammar School and Tonbridge School.


He strongly believes in the power of sport and play to not only educate children academically but also instil wonderful lifelong characteristics like kindness, working with others, resilience, teamwork and self-confidence.


Rob

Rob Danks

Job Title: Pre-School & Business Manager

Joined: 2024

Rob is a Nationally recognised manager with over 20 years of experience, Rob leads by example and is on hand every day making sure every single child access the most they can 5 days a week.


Rob is full of knowledge and passion giving the staff a strong role model, giving the staff the confidence to do the best job they can do while having fun and building strength to strength.


Rob has been involved in award winning teams and knows what it takes to give the children the best start in Early Years building the foundations for every child to succeed.


Now come in and join Play Pavilion for the best Early education a child could want while having fun and stimulation.


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Lauren Furlong

Job Title: Nursery Apprentice

Joined: 2025

Photo and Description to follow


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Gail Saunders

Job Title: Nursery Nurse Level 3

Joined: 2025

Photo and description to follow


Frequently Asked Questions about Play Pavilion Pre-School

What is the Age Range of Children that Play Pavilion Pre-School accepts?

Play Pavilion Pre-School accepts Children aged from 2 years 0 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Play Pavilion Pre-School Open?

Play Pavilion Pre-School is open: Monday 08:00-17:30, Tuesday 08:00-17:30, Wednesday 08:00-17:30, Thursday 08:00-17:30, Friday 08:00-17:30.

How many Children does Play Pavilion Pre-School have capacity for?

Play Pavilion Pre-School has capacity for a total of 32 Children.

How far is Play Pavilion Pre-School to the centre of Gravesend?

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