Holden Park Pre-School
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Tunbridge Wells for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in May 2023. Open since 2005, with 27 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Kent
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Kent from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
TN4 0EHWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 9 May 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
All children are settled, confident and happy in the setting. Children are independent. For example, they confidently choose their own play and complete tasks, such as handwashing. Staff have a secure understanding of how they implement their effective curriculum. Children are excited to join in with the interesting activities that staff carefully plan for them. For example, children are keen to explore with their senses. They learn that if they mix water and fruits, such as oranges, they can change the scent of the liquid they create. Children enjoy learning to make marks and patterns in different ways, such as using cars in paint.
Children learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles. They talk about healthy items at snack and lunchtime. Staff take children to visit the dentist to help them understand how to keep their teeth healthy. All children gain good physical skills.
For example, they confidently learn about the different ways they can move. This includes safely negotiating climbing and balancing equipment. Children are confident to communicate their ideas. They answer thought-provoking questions with confidence. They are keen to share their ideas with their friends. For instance, they make up narratives as they engage in imaginative play.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- provide guidance for staff to ensure they consistently help all children to fully understand the expectations of their behaviour n further strengthen the mentoring of all staff to ensure they are fully supported to consistently teach to the highest quality.
- 9 May 2023Good
- 22 September 2017Good
- 15 December 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Holden Park Pre-School
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.