Invicta Park Playgroup
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Maidstone for children from birth to 8+, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in November 2024. Open since 1990, with 50 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
ME14 2NAWhat 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, 7 November 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children enjoy playing and learning in the carefully planned environment. Staff greet children warmly with a smile at this unique setting that offers a strong community feel. Children are excited to arrive and quickly engage in the stimulating activities available to them. Children are confident to explore the environment and are able to access resources placed at their level. Children have built strong relationships with staff and enjoy sharing experiences with them. For example, children model to staff how to do a Nepalese dance, while dressed in saris. This gives children a strong sense of belonging and shows an inclusive approach to practice.
Children behave well and staff act as positive role models. They show high levels of independence. For example, they wash their hands when prompted by staff and collect water from the sink to take into the garden to extend their play. Children show determination to do things for themselves. For instance, they persevere to build a bridge using crates, which they then use to walk over. Children are given meaningful opportunities to learn about the cultures, faiths and religions of their peers. For example, they recently took part in activities to learn about Tihar.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen daily routines to support children effectively to make choices about where they would like to play.
- 7 November 2024Good
- 15 January 2019Good
- 9 June 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Invicta Park Playgroup
- 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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.