Abacus Nursery and Childcare

In September 2025, volcano-making, vegetable growing and an obstacle course gave Abacus Nursery and Childcare a practical, exploratory character. This New Romney setting has capacity for 60 children aged 24 to 60 months. Its strongest detail is the connection between children's interests and what staff help them learn next.

At its September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated Abacus Outstanding and judged safeguarding effective. The examples beneath that judgement matter: an interest in volcanoes became an opportunity to build vocabulary, draw and investigate, rather than an activity that ended when children left the sand.

In September 2025, learning followed children's interests while staff assessed what they already understood and planned their next steps. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, play gave children opportunities to practise language, movement and understanding together.

Volcano-making prompted children to use words such as eruption and lava in their building and drawing. Staff also helped them investigate online. Returning to an idea through different activities gave children another chance to use what they had learned.

The garden added physical challenge and imaginative play. In September 2025, children mixed pretend drinks in the mud kitchen, played builders and practised balance on an obstacle course. Digging and drawing at easels also exercised their muscles. Recycling, growing vegetables in the allotment and caring for wildlife connected outdoor activity with responsibility for the world around them.

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found sustained progress, including for children with SEND and those learning English as an additional language, with additional funding supporting environmental adaptations and staff training.

In September 2025, communication support combined speech with signing, visual prompts and photographs that helped children express their needs. Songs and shared books provided further opportunities to listen and use language. These were practical ways to make participation easier.

Staff played alongside new children and discussed routines with parents. Families received resources, advice and support linked to their child's needs, while children's backgrounds and cultures informed daily learning. Children also explored looking after their teeth and bodies, food choices and expressing emotions: preparation for managing everyday needs as well as learning activities.

Abacus is on Craythorne Lane, New Romney, TN28 8BL. It opens during term time, Monday to Friday, from 7.45am to 6pm, and closes for school holidays.

In September 2025, the setting included a preschool nursery and an out-of-school club, and offered government-funded places for children aged two to four. It operated within the grounds of St Nicholas Primary Academy. Attending a nursery on school grounds does not guarantee a Reception place.

• School-holiday cover. Abacus closes for school holidays, so families needing childcare throughout the year must account for those breaks.
• School-site expectations. The September 2025 location was within St Nicholas Primary Academy's grounds. Nursery attendance does not guarantee admission to Reception.
• Settling into the day. September 2025 practice included conversations with parents about new routines. During a visit, ask how settling would work around your child's attendance pattern.

Abacus suits families seeking term-time childcare with learning built around children's interests. Its September 2025 examples bring that approach into clear view: language developed through volcano-making, movement through garden play, and environmental responsibility through growing and recycling. The school-holiday closure is the central practical consideration.