Ofsted Good
Open 7.00am - 6.00pm
Outdoor learning
Open 51 weeks
Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury is located on the outskirts of the beautiful cathedral city of Canterbury and is a purpose-built nursery providing care for children aged 0-5.
We offer an enriching environment where creativity thrives through play-based activities and in-the-moment teaching experiences. Our qualified Nursery Practitioners foster a nurturing atmosphere, ensuring each child receives personalised attention to support their growth and development.
Our ethos focusses on providing children with the freedom to explore and learn through play, whilst also engaging them in regular trips around the local area to visit places such as Canterbury Library, Westgate Gardens and the local park.
We embrace a brighter learning approach, ensuring that every child benefits from the expertise of our qualified teachers. Our nursery operates all year round, offering consistent, high-quality childcare to meet the needs of busy families.
View Ofsted report
The Brighter Learning Approach (BLA) is unique to The Old Station Nursery group and is our advanced approach to the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and core pedagogy. It differs from traditional nursery teaching methods by providing real-life opportunities to enhance children’s natural curiosity, with emphasis on hands-on experiences, child-led learning, and whole development.
The six core areas promote active engagement and critical thinking whilst encouraging exploration, creativity, and collaboration. Each child learns at their own pace and is challenged and extended at appropriate times.
The best place to see the BLA in action is via our local nursery Facebook page, where each post explains which part of the curriculum the children are working on. Our parents also receive updates on the Parent App too.
Championing children's holistic health and laying the foundations for a happy, healthy and successful life.
Helping the future generation of global citizens to understand the world they live in and to believe they can make a difference.
Enabling early experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM). Nurturing our next generation of investigators, inventors and innovators.
Enticing children to develop a life-long love of books and reading through engaging and interactive storytelling experiences. Building strong literacy skills while sparking imagination and creativity.
Engaging children in meaningful mathematical learning. Developing knowledge, building skills and exploring concepts, through purposeful play and plenty of practice.
Developing confident communicators by engaging in quality conversations with children every day, in a language rich and communication friendly environment.
Activities at our Canterbury nursery free-flow between indoor and outdoor learning, making the most of our outdoor spaces whenever we can. When you come for a nursery tour, you will see how our environment supports this seamless transition.
We offer numerous extra clubs throughout the week, enhancing our Brighter Learning Approach, a bespoke version of the Early Years Statutory Framework.
Our children love nothing more than when the team calls time for meal preparation or works with the children to produce a teatime dessert or baking morning. The children learn so much in these activities including measuring, counting skills and following instructions.
Come rain or shine, we tend our vegetable plots, teaching the children about the different stages of growth cycles and exploring the different tastes and textures of the produce.
As Budding gardeners, children learn about the environment and gain lifelong sustainable growing skills and enjoyment, which they will carry with them throughout their lives.
At Canterbury nursery, our budding movers enjoy Boogie Beats, a fast-paced dance class that our nursery children and the staff thoroughly enjoy.
The class combines music and dance with carefully structured learning that helps to develop co-ordination and confidence whilst having lots of fun.
During their early years at Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury, children explore the world and learn through hands-on experiences. From the moment they join us, they discover different materials, solve puzzles, observe their surroundings, and make their own scientific discoveries throughout the nursery and it’s outdoor area.
We encourage their natural curiosity by inviting them to ask questions about the world around them.
At Canterbury nursery, our Budding Artists club inspires creativity and self-expression in young children through engaging activities such as drawing, painting, and crafting.
Through this hands-on experience children explore various art forms and techniques whilst nurturing their artistic talents and boosting their confidence and fine motor skills.
Budding Musicians club ignites a love for music in young children through fun and interactive activities like singing, playing instruments, and exploring different sounds.
Children develop their musical skills and creativity at Canterbury nursery and not only enhances their appreciation for music but also supports their cognitive and emotional development.
Energetic and exciting, Rugby Tots at our nursery is the perfect introduction to the game for children of all ages, from toddlers to pre-schoolers.
In addition to creating a fun and positive atmosphere, children learn how to pass, kick, catch and play as part of a team. A winning way to build confidence and self-esteem.
Little Kickers at Canterbury nursery consists of a positive introduction to sport by teaching high quality football skills in a friendly, pressure-free environment with different classes tailored specifically to the needs of children between 18 months and 5 years of age.
With a focus on simplicity and enjoyment, the coaches at Little Kickers use age-appropriate activities to help your child learn essential football skills such as kicking, dribbling, and basic coordination.
We are passionate about the link between home and nursery; the nursery experience is as much about the parent as it is for the child. Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury commits to verbally updating you about your child’s day at pick-up time and via digital updates on the parent app.
We are here at any time should you wish to call us or want to discuss any area of your child’s care.
We aim to look after our parents as well as our children so you can continue with your day with a sense of peace.
First and foremost, you and we need to know that your child is safe. Before we can deliver the excellent curriculum that makes our nurseries so special, robust policies and procedures are followed to meet the exacting standards of Ofsted, building and fire regulations, food safety standards and staff DBS background checks and references.
Our staff are trained in numerous areas and we offer further training opportunities for staff who have an interest in a particular area.
For example, some of our nurseries have attained Millie’s Mark, an accreditation gained by having 100% of staff on site trained in paediatric first aid.
Nutritious hot meals are prepared on-site at Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury by our qualified on-site chef with menus rotating every three weeks. Good nutrition is essential during childhood as it is a time of rapid growth, development and activity.
Our chefs are trained using the Eatwell NHS guidelines to ensure mealtimes are delicious, packed with good things that enjoyable for children to eat.
Every child has a nursery key person who knows them best and who will be the child and parent’s main contact. Your key person at our nursery will update you about your child’s day and is there to answer your questions.
When your child moves to the next age group room, we hold several settling sessions with a new nursery key person. We encourage our parents to view the new room too, and we will work with you to discuss the new routines, just like we did when you first started nursery.
It is wonderful to nurture and see our children graduate to primary school. Part of the unique offering of Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury is our focus on the next stage of your child’s learning journey.
We prepare the children through school activities, teacher meet and greets and graduation ceremonies. Our commitment is to support our parents too by providing updates on your child’s learning, planning parents evenings or one-to-ones and encouraging home link learning kits to enhance the link between nursery and home.
All our nurseries follow the Brighter Learning Approach, our bespoke version of the Early Years Statutory Framework. Within this, each nursery chooses extra clubs, activities, and enhancements suitable for their space.
Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury enjoys multiple clubs including Budding Gardeners, Budding Movers, Budding Scientists, Budding Musicians, Budding Artists, Little Kickers and Rugby Tots.
We also hold open days where parents and carers are encouraged to come along and meet other parents to build their own personal friendships and networks ahead of primary school.
Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury commits to providing a simple fee structure so you can manage your nursery costs.
At this nursery, we provide private and government-funded sessions for eligible parents. Contact us for the nursery fee that is correct for your individual circumstances.
Our Babychoos Room offers a sensory-rich environment on the ground floor, providing a safe and stimulating space for infants and toddlers.
Designed with open-plan spaces and direct access to a specially crafted garden, this room encourages exploration and sensory play tailored for children under two.
The Caterpillar Room is dedicated to children aged 2-3 years, promoting free-flow play both indoors and outdoors.
With spacious interiors bathed in natural light from large windows, it offers ample opportunities for learning and discovery.
Our well-equipped outdoor play area complements indoor activities, supporting holistic development in a nurturing environment.
At around 3 years old, children transition to the Butterflies Room, where learning remains enjoyable and enriching.
This room strikes a balance between child-initiated play and structured activities, preparing pre-schoolers for academic readiness and fostering social skills.
The new funding term is starting again in January and it’s important to understand the different kinds of funded childcare available to you and when you need to apply before the deadline closes on 30th November.
We have online experts who are on hand to answer any questions you may have via a web chat service, whether you’re a new or existing nursery parent.
Find out how you can save money on nursery fees through funding.
"Every child learns individually and at Choochoos, we adapt to the needs at every stage of development as well as helping them to set responsible boundaries"
Meg Knight (Canterbury Nursery Manager)
Please note that this is not a confirmation of your tour. One of our nursery team will endeavour to get back to you ASAP to confirm your date and time. Thank you.
If you are looking to arrange a tour within the next 48 hours, we recommend calling the nursery directly.
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