Care4kids Childcare

In December 2022, rope ladders, clay modelling and a bear travelling between nursery and home gave Care4kids Childcare a recognisable character. At its December 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, with children choosing their play independently and joining activities enthusiastically.

Based at The Pavilion in Charing, the nursery has 30 places in total for children aged 0 to 60 months. Its inspection picture combines practical exploration with close relationships, while identifying two improvements that matter to families: allowing children time to answer questions and strengthening communication with other childcare settings.

In December 2022, younger children explored numbers by arranging dominoes into a track, while older children constructed fire engines and improvised hoses from pipes. Clay models incorporated ivy and conifer foliage, bringing texture and smell into creative play. These examples connect early mathematical ideas, imagination and sensory exploration to things children can handle and investigate.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care. In everyday terms, play supports children's communication, physical development and growing independence, alongside the care they need throughout the day.

Outdoor activity had substance in December 2022. Younger children tackled steps and slopes; older children used tyre swings, rope ladders and zip lines. Growing strawberries and green beans linked food with practical experience. Woodland activities involved minibus transport, and visits to a local stream included learning about water safety. These were opportunities to practise movement and explore the surrounding world, rather than simply spend time outside.

At the December 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities that included working with other agencies and using Makaton signing. That gives families a concrete example of how communication support worked at the time.

Relationships also had a practical expression in December 2022: staff knew children's preferences and used them when planning activities. Mr Cuddles, a bear children took home, gave them experiences to talk about with friends afterwards. Staff shared daily experiences and achievements with parents, connecting nursery life with home.

Breathing exercises and yoga were part of children's routines in December 2022. The improvement points were equally specific: questions sometimes came too quickly for children to consider their answers, and information exchange with other settings was not fully established. Both affect how consistently adults can support a child's learning.

The address is The Pavilion, The Arthur Baker Field, The Moat, Charing, Ashford, TN27 0JJ.

In December 2022, opening hours were 8am to 5.30pm on weekdays, with operation throughout the year. At that time, the nursery received early-education funding for children aged three and four. These are dated practical details, rather than a current attendance or funding commitment.

• Time to think. In December 2022, questioning sometimes moved faster than children could process. On a visit, look for adults allowing a child to finish thinking before adding another question.
• Shared care. Communication with other settings needed strengthening in December 2022. Families using more than one provider should discuss how information about learning and care passes between them.
• Attendance and costs. Before joining, request a written quotation covering the attendance pattern you need, any funded hours, meals and consumables.

Care4kids suits families who value practical outdoor exploration and play built around children's interests. The December 2022 examples are persuasive: physical challenges, imaginative construction and home-to-nursery conversation all had a place. The same dated picture makes thoughtful adult questioning and coordination of shared care useful priorities when choosing it.