Horsmonden Kindergarten
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A day nursery in Tonbridge for children from birth to 5, open 08:30 to 15:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2025. Open since 2017, with 44 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
TN12 8NJWhat 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, 26 February 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive at the nursery happy, settle in quickly and eagerly explore the activities. They confidently use the self-registration system and independently choose a place for their belongings. The environment is peaceful and children remain engaged in their play. They form strong bonds with staff and seek comfort when needed, which helps them feel safe and secure. Staff consider children's interests well. They arrange the environment to support their development and learning intentions. Staff consider children's interests, arranging the environment to support development and learning. Younger children have a dedicated space, separated by doors that open later, offering age-specific activities and a free-flow experience.
Older children are encouraged to think critically, explore ideas, and approach problem-solving during play. For example, during an activity using cars on a ramp, children experiment with speed and movement. They predict how adding tape would affect the cars' speed. Staff support their enquiry and encourage them to test their theory and adapt the activity when the cars change direction. Children further extend the activity by adding writing numbers to the game. They show curiosity and deep engagement. Staff create a positive atmosphere with clear communication and use of Makaton. They model good manners, teaching children to say 'please' and 'thank you.' Through guidance, staff help children learn to share, take turns, and make good choices, promoting positive behaviour and social development.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen the monitoring of staff practice so that all staff understand how to adapt their teaching to extend children's learning further.
- 26 February 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 15 July 2019Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Horsmonden Kindergarten
- 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.