Teeny Feet Day Nursery

Individual support is the clearest strength at Teeny Feet Day Nursery, with a more mixed picture of everyday teaching. At its February 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged inclusion to be at the Strong standard, all five other assessed areas at the Expected standard, and safeguarding standards met. The distinction matters: support for individual needs earned stronger recognition than the wider provision.

Based in Chatham, the nursery has capacity for 30 children, accepting babies from birth through to age five. Its outdoor play and attention to children's care preferences give families concrete points to weigh alongside the teaching improvements identified in February 2026.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning and care, covering development through play across the areas of learning. In February 2026, activities took place indoors and outdoors, with staff observing children's learning and discussing their developing skills.

Everyday objects became starting points for learning that month. A toy duck prompted singing with younger children, while shape sorting gave children opportunities to persevere. Staff counted during babies' play and introduced ideas about shape and size. However, some activities were pitched poorly for children's developmental stages, limiting what they could learn next.

Outdoor play was a daily part of life in February 2026. Children used bikes and a mud kitchen; babies and toddlers explored a garden playhouse by opening and closing its doors and windows. Plants and a discovered worm prompted conversations about the natural world. These were practical opportunities to explore movement, materials and living things.

At the February 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that children progressed from their starting points and that those with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefited from consistently implemented support plans, with help introduced while specialist advice was awaited. Staff training and collaboration with other professionals supported this work.

In February 2026, key persons knew children's individual care preferences, including whether sleep worked better in a quiet space or near ongoing play. Parents contributed information about development at the start, and observations added to that understanding. Staff also used signs to support communication.

Meals in February 2026 were designed to be nutritious and appealing, and children's allergy information and preferences were kept updated. Mealtimes nevertheless needed more attention to independence: cutlery did not always fit children's needs, and older children had too few opportunities to practise cutting food.

The address is 118 Dargets Road, Chatham, ME5 8BP. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. That opening window is useful for comparing the nursery with a family's working day.

• Teaching matched to development. In February 2026, some activities did not match children's developmental stages closely enough. A visit could explore how staff adapt the same activity for children with different skills.
• Mealtime independence. February 2026 findings highlighted unsuitable cutlery for some children and limited practice cutting food. Families should weigh how daily care routines also build practical skills.
• Consistency in behaviour support. Agreed strategies were applied unevenly in February 2026, affecting children's understanding of their actions and others' feelings. Ask how practitioners now keep their responses consistent.

Teeny Feet merits consideration for families seeking care from babyhood onwards who place particular weight on individual support. The February 2026 findings give that support substance, while the teaching, behaviour and mealtime concerns deserve equal weight in a decision. The weekday opening window offers a useful practical starting point for families arranging care around work.