Pennies Day Nursery - Newnham Court, Maidstone

Newnham Court Shopping Village, Bearsted Road, Maidstone ME14 5LH
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9.8 169 Reviews
  • Pennies Day Nursery - Newnham Court, Maidstone, Maidstone
The company is named after its founder – Penny Scotton – and continues to adhere to her vision of offering; ‘the very best in childcare, learning and fun’

Purpose-built to their own specification and opened in 2005 between Maidstone and Bearsted this site hosts nursery services and a home for Breakfast, After School and Holiday clubs. Air-conditioned and equipped with under-floor heating and two fully fitted kitchens; parents describe Newnham Court as ‘welcoming.’ It is bright and lively with extensive gardens and outdoor play facilities. Newnham Court was graded as good by Ofsted (March 2022).

Fully air-conditioned and equipped throughout with underfloor heating and two fully fitted kitchens, parents describe Newnham Court as 'welcoming'. It is bright, colourful and echoing with the happy sound of children. Developments in Pennies’ provision have gone hand-in-hand with the ethos of the ‘Pennies Family’ within which all children and parents feel involved and have the chance to discuss and shape the care provided

The main features of Newnham Court include

•        Catering for children from three months to five-years-old
•        Separate rooms, arranged by age for nursery age children
•        Separate term time only pre-school room
•        Extensive garden with grassed areas, large sandpit, play equipment and sheltered areas which support all areas of a child's development
•        Meals prepared daily by a trained chef and made with fresh ingredients sourced from local suppliers
•        Annual social calendar of events for children and parents
•        Popular Kids club catering for children from four to eleven years of age
•        There is a large, secluded garden area with a number of designated areas including a story-telling mound and adventure playground
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Claire Williams and Paige Priest (Nursery Managers)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 75

Total Places for Children

  • 131

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Per day:
    0-2 yrs £114.25
    2-3 yrs £112.25
    3+ yrs £111.25

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Pennies Day Nursery - Newnham Court, Maidstone Reviews (169)

9.8

Pennies Day Nursery - Newnham Court, Maidstone has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.800) out of 10, based on 31 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Pennies Day Nursery - Newnham Court, Maidstone has 169 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Reviewer Connection to Pennies Day Nursery - Newnham Court, Maidstone
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Total of 169, showing 141-160
Review from D H (Mother of Child) published on 9 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little girl has been coming to Pennies from the age of 6 months. She will soon be 2 and she still gets excited when we pull up outside the doors in the morning. All the staff we have had dealings with have been excellent in taking the time to get to know her and It makes it easier as a parent to
leave knowing she is very content in her surroundings. Great attention is taken to relay information at the end of the day and I really like the tapestry online link which updates me on some of her daily activities from the week along with photos. Many thanks, Pennies.
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Review from Gemma B (Mother of Child) published on 9 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My second child is currently attending Pennies. He has just turned 3 and has been there since he was 10 months old. For both of my children (both very different in character) I have found Pennies as an excellent nursery. My children have been very happy there and has thrived working with the positive
and committed staff. The staff are always cheerful, helpful and reassuring and as a result, my children both settled quickly (despite only attending a day a week). The Tapestry updates are excellent and being able to receive photographs and videos of the children in the setting is wonderful and clearly show the progress made through the nursery planned and varied activities. I could not ask for more from a nursery.
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Review from Cristina G (Mother of Child) published on 9 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot talk highly of Pennie's staff and the facility. I am a first-time mum who had to return to work so leaving my 1-year-old in a nursery was a very hard and emotional process. The staff made the transition so easy for both myself and my daughter, making sure I am informed about how she is doing
during the day, taking pictures and videos and sharing them with me on their private portal but also offering my daughter the cuddles and comfort when she was upset and unsettled. I found them to be loving, caring and most of all nonjudgmental and supportive. My daughter is learning things I would not be able to teach and she is becoming more confident every single day she spends at Pennies. I am very pleased with her evolution and progress so far and I would not hesitate to recommend Pennies to other mums.
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Review from Liv (Mother of Child) published on 8 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at Pennies for 3 years and we cannot recommend it highly enough. Fantastic facilities and leaning opportunities but most importantly the staff are fantastic and show such care and attention to all the children. The management are always approachable and accommodating too.
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Review from DB (Mother of Child) published on 8 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at Pennies for 6 months starting when she was 10 months old. I am thrilled with her progress there, the staff are lovely and the facilities are fab. I really like the updates we get from Tapestry. It helps me to keep in touch with her time at nursery and it's wonderful to see what
she gets up to!
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Review from Paula S (Mother of Child) published on 8 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been going to Pennies since September 2016, she settled in extremely well and I now have trouble getting her to leave as she has made great friends and enjoys all activities especially the large outside area. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful and are easy to approach. It really
is a great nursery.
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Review from alyx h (Mother of Child) published on 8 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I'm very happy with the care that my child is provided by the team at Pennies Nursery. My child always comes home and sleeps for a good couple of hours which to me is a good sign that he's had a lot of fun.
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Review from Sophie V (Mother of Child) published on 8 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My two-year-old daughter comes to Pennies 5 days a week and loves it. It's a really friendly setting and the nursery staff are all smiley, helpful and engaged. The fact that it is purpose built means the rooms are well sized with good natural light and there is a great outdoor play area. My only criticism
is that it's not possible to free-flow out to the garden from all the rooms. Also, although the food seems to be very good quality, I would prefer if it were slightly healthier (eg no cheerios for breakfast and only fruit or plain yoghurt for pudding). In the grand scheme of things these are minor complaints and overall I am delighted that we found such a great nursery.
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Review from Ben C (Father of Child) published on 8 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son is now 3 and has been going to Pennies since he turned 1, for 2 days per week. He has his moments of not wanting to go sometimes (not very often) but we know once we get him there he changes his mind very quickly. He loves the staff, and there are a few really special members of staff that
really set this nursery above all others.


The setting is great for learning and fun activities and the staff genuinely seem to care about our son and I'm sure all the other children there.


We travel a fair distance to keep him at this nursery since moving recently but its worth it. We have also already signed up for our little princess to start when she's 1!

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Review from Rebecca N (Mother of Child) published on 2 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Highly recommend Pennies to anyone looking for a nursery for their children. We visited lots of nurseries in the area when deciding on childcare for our daughter and Pennies was by far our first choice- brilliant, engaging, highly qualified staff, lovely spacious, bright, clean environment with great
outdoor space with a huge variety of fun and educational activities on offer. Our daughter started at Pennies at 9 months and after a home visit and settling in sessions I felt comfortable and confident that she was in brilliant hands and felt fully supported during the first few weeks of settling her in. She has flourished enormously during her time there and absolutely loves it, as does our youngest who now also attends. Cannot recommend highly enough. Thank you
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Review from Katie S (Mother of Child) published on 2 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have two children at Pennies Nursery and have used the nursery for 6 years now, my son has been there from 9 months old and now attends PKC the after school club.
My daughter has been attending since she was 5 months and has now joined the Term Time Only room which she loves.
The staff are very
caring, the food that is provided is very healthy and there is a wide variety so the children do not keep having the same dinners every week.
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Review from JJ N (Mother of Child) published on 1 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both myself and my husband love Pennies Nursery, so much so that we have requested extra sessions.


Our Son has always had separation issues but the nursery made me and him feel at ease. Within a few weeks, our son was quite happy to watch us leave whole eating his breakfast. He has been attending

for about 6 months and does still occasionally get upset but the staff at Pennies are quick to distract him.


Our son is so much more confident for attending Pennies. The staff communication is excellent and I hope Pennies will see him through until he goes to School!

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Review from Angela D (Mother of Child) published on 30 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Before my daughter started at Pennies (Newnham Court) I looked at a number of nurseries in both Maidstone and Kings Hill, however, Pennies stood out above the rest. My babysitter used to work for Pennies and she spoke very highly of them, as do other parents that I have met who have children there.


My

daughter attends four mornings a week. She thoroughly enjoys it, has made friends and her social skills have come on enormously.
Staff are patient, friendly and supportive. They were wonderful about settling her in and were always available if I had any questions. Drop off is easy, there is plenty of parking outside the main door and an electronic key to get through into the foyer. The buzzer is answered quickly and it helps ensure that I have a stress free start to the day.


I have total confidence in Pennies and I feel very lucky to have such a good child care provider who I completely trust to look after my daughter. I will be very sad when she leaves for school in September.

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Review from Tricia F (Mother of Child) published on 27 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child has been attending this nursery some time now and my husband and I are extremely happy with his development.
The staff and especially his key worker are so helpful, always available to chat and are working with us on a plan for our child.


I am very happy and grateful to Pennies!

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Review from Sarah R (Mother of Child) published on 26 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
An outstanding nursery with staff who are genuinely passionate and enthusiastic wanting to offer the best care. I've experienced other nurseries and can say Pennies Newnham Court are ahead of their competition.


There is great communication with parents both in terms of day to day care but longer

term development and initiatives.


The management and team are very collaborative and supportive to one another. I wouldn't think twice to recommend.

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Review from Becky N (Mother of Child) published on 26 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Pennies is a fantastic nursery, I am very pleased with the care that is given to both my children. They have both thrived with the care and guidance they have been given with their development. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Pennies to others.
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Review from Sarah C (Mother of Child) published on 26 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my children go to Pennies Newnham Court and have done since they were about 9 months old. My daughter is now 3 years old and my son is 19 months. I cannot fault the team at Pennies and have always been 100% happy with the care my children receive. They both love going to nursery and gain so much
from their time there.
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Review from Gemma G (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son attends this nursery and we couldn't be happier with the care and love he receives every day. My husband and I feel that the nursery has a wonderful mixture of structure and yet all of our views and requests as parents are accommodated in every aspect of our child's care.


The nursery is purpose

built which means that every room is perfectly suited to looking after the little ones, appropriate to the age of the room. I am always surprised at well how clean the nursery is kept considering that the kids are often taken outside to the gardens or engaged in messy play (which our son adores!).


The pick up and drop off area is spacious and hassle free although security is tight (as you would expect) with personally answered intercom access for every parent or visitor entry.


I wish it were cheaper but for the facilities and service provided we can't fault this nursery.

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Review from Sylwia O (Mother of Child) published on 1 August 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My son has been in nursery since 6 months old. Only recently from 2.5 till now is full time. He has gained confidence and skills that will help him at school. Fantastic ladies at pre-school has helped him a lot with his speech which was delayed due to different languages used at home. From a frustrated
boy now I have a happy child. It will be difficult to say goodbye end of August. We do appreciate all the help and care that was provided through those years.
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Review from Claire (Mother of Child) published on 13 July 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Felt Pennies offered a clean, safe, secure environment for my little one year old when first returning to work. She is now 6 and we now use the kidz club in the holidays as it still provides a fun safe environment, so we have peace of mind at work.
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.800)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.800) out of 10 for Pennies Day Nursery - Newnham Court, Maidstone is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 31 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 30 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.800 for Pennies Day Nursery - Newnham Court, Maidstone is calculated as follows: ( (324 Excellents x 5) + (28 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) + (1 Poors x 2) + (9 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 365 Ratings = 4.8
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Pennies Day Nursery - Newnham Court, Maidstone is based on 30 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 131 number of registered child places is 26.2, which has been reached with 30 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (8)

Meet the Team (5)

Michaela

Michaela Stone

Job Title: Head of Operations Joined: 2004

Hi, My Name is Michaela and I hold a CACHE Level 3 and Level 4 in Childcare and Management.


My journey in the Early Years started 25 Years ago; 20 of these years have been in a Management position. I have worked with all age groups from 3 months through to 11 years. I strongly believe in the best for every child, and that every child should be acknowledged as a unique individual and given the opportunity to flourish to their full potential.


I believe myself to be level-headed in all aspects of the business and operations, and I enjoy focusing on the development of my team, casting vision, and giving the team the education and tools they need to create a rich environment for the children to thrive within.

Claire

Claire Williams

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2004

Hi, my name is Claire and I have worked at Pennies since 2004. I hold a diploma in child studies and CACHE NVQ level 3 and 4 in children’s care, learning and development. I have thoroughly enjoyed my years at Pennies working my way up to a management position where I am able to help and support staff with their professional journey.


Over the years I have looked after children right from babies up to 11 years but I particularly enjoy the older children in our out-of-school club. My position as nursery manager is one I enjoy the challenge of. Being part of a child’s start in life is a rewarding career and I believe it is important that children can develop and flourish in a safe and secure environment.

Paige

Paige Priest

Job Title: Joint Nursery Manager Joined: 2025

Hello, my name is Paige, and I am one of the Managers at Pennies Newnham Court.


I have had a long working career in childcare, starting as a nursery practitioner, working my way up to management. I studied early childhood studies at university, and through my studies and many years of experience, I have a great deal of knowledge and skills in the early years sector. Above all, I have a burning passion for the early years and pride myself on creating outstanding learning environments for every child in my care.


I believe that every child benefits from a nurturing, caring environment where they are encouraged to flourish and supported to achieve the best outcomes.

Amy

Amy Mallett

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2018

Hello, I’m Amy and I have been part of the Pennies team since 2018.

Claire

Claire Lucas

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2024

Hello, I’m Claire and I have been part of the Pennies team since 2024. I have worked in childcare for 15+ years in a variety of roles with all ages of children.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Pennies Day Nursery - Newnham Court, Maidstone to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Pennies Day Nursery - Newnham Court, Maidstone has an Enhanced Service - more info.