Pennies Day Nursery - Hockers Lane, Maidstone

149 Hockers Lane, Weavering, Maidstone ME14 5JY
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9.9 125 Reviews
  • Pennies Day Nursery - Hockers Lane, Maidstone, Maidstone
This cottage-style nursery was graded by Ofsted as ‘Good in all areas’ in December 2021. Located near Bearsted on the edge of the North Downs; an area of outstanding natural beauty, Pennies Hockers Lane perfectly balances rural surroundings with the convenience of swift access to main routes, such as the M20.

The main features of Hockers Lane include catering for children from three months to five years and four separate rooms, arranged by age, for nursery age children.

The nursery ensure parents have an active involvement in decisions on care for their children. There is an extensive garden with Pennies Pit Stop, sensory snug, book nook large sandpit, play equipment and sheltered areas. While meals are prepared daily by a trained chef and made with fresh ingredients sourced from local suppliers.

Pennies offers an annual social calendar of events for children and parents and has rooms that are designed specifically for babies, toddlers, and pre-school aged children.

Pennies fully-inclusive fees cover all food, drinks, nappies and formula milks for the babies and children in their care.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Caroline Hannant and Kathryn Fox (Nursery Managers)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 30

Total Places for Children

  • 55

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Per day:
    Under 2's £111.75
    2-3 yrs £109.75
    Over 3's £108.75

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

Parking

  • No parking restrictions on Hockers Lane - other than not in front of neighbours driveways.

Pennies Day Nursery - Hockers Lane, Maidstone Reviews (125)

9.9

Pennies Day Nursery - Hockers Lane, Maidstone has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.944) out of 10, based on 15 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Pennies Day Nursery - Hockers Lane, Maidstone has 125 reviews.

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Review from Mark D (Father of Child) published on 23 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Pennies Day Nurseries are excellent, my children have both really enjoyed their time there and have always wanted to go. We can see how beneficial their day care has been in our children's learning and development
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Review from Louise L (Mother of Child) published on 23 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Pennies is a great nursery. They have such good facilities for the children and a wonderful outside area. The activities they do with the children are brilliant, lots of variety. The staff are very friendly and helpful. I would not hesitate to recommend Pennies.
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Review from Samantha G (Mother of Child) published on 23 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter loves every minute at nursery, she has become such a confident little girl, who we are extremely proud of!
We couldn't wish for friendlier staff and a warm and welcoming environment for her to grow and learn in!
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Review from Amy O (Mother of Child) published on 23 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter started at Pennies in September and has loved every minute! The girls are all lovely and her key worker has been amazing with my daughter. I love seeing what they have been up to and the pictures that she brings home. Thank you to everyone who has helped my daughter settle into the busy
bee room, She is now in the ladybird lodge where she is onto her next adventure!
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Review from Christine (Mother of Child) published on 20 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A wonderful nursery, where I feel the staff genuinely care for my son. They offer brilliant activities to encourage learning and development with creativity and originality. My son loves it, and I feel confident leaving him there to go to work. All the staff know the children and communication with
parents is brilliant. Thank you for being the wonderful people who care for my son when I'm not able to due to work commitments!
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Review from Jessica M (Mother of Child) published on 20 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Pennies is a wonderful nursery. The staff are attentive and caring and you really get a sense that your child is treated as an individual. They constantly seek feedback and act on your suggestions.


Both of my children have enjoyed their time at Pennies and formed strong bonds with their carers.

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Review from Amy M (Mother of Child) published on 20 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot praise Pennies highly enough. My daughter has cerebral palsy and I was very nervous about leaving her. But Pennies have been incredible and my daughter has blossomed since going there.
They provide a stimulating and fun environment and are actively involved in her development, from helping
her to walk to learning Makaton. The staff always ensure that they are up to date on what she needs and even suggest things which might help us at home. She is so excited to go there and would honestly rather be at Pennies than at home now! I just wish that they had more places so that she could attend full-time.
I have also just started my 7month old there for one day a week and she loves it too! The staff have really taken the time to get to know what she likes to do, her routine and what makes her happy. I think that being at Pennies will help her to blossom in the same way as her sister.
Thank you to everyone for your hard work and dedication to what you do.
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Review from Hollie M (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Pennies Day Nursery, Hockers Lane was absolutely amazing at helping us to feel happy about leaving our daughter (11 months, at the time) at nursery when I returned to work after maternity leave. We couldn't be happier with all the staff at the nursery and how much they have played such a key role in
our daughter's development and happiness. She has already moved up to the Busy Bee room and she didn't even need any settling in time thanks to the ladies and her new key worker. Our daughter LOVES going to nursery and we would happily take her every day if we could!
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Review from James W (Father of Child) published on 19 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Hockers Lane has been fantastic for our son, after a bad experience attending another nursery. The staff are always open to talk to, whether that be any concerns or anything positive. They are friendly, caring, empathetic and honest. Our son has blossomed in confidence since attending he has formed
friendships with others in his group. He has been able to comply to structures and has enjoyed thoroughly the times when he has been on trips out and adventures with his friends in their lovely garden which offers a variety of different learning/play experiences for him from climbing frame to the sand pit, as well as building blocks and cars. Our son has been able to move through preschool age with very good support and he loves attending and feels very safe and part of the nursery, which as a parent is all you can ask for.
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Review from Emma G (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have sent all 3 of my children to Pennies Nursery and they have all been so happy and absolutely loved going there!


They learn a lot of through play, as the staff are extremely good with them and take the time to really engage with the children. I always recommend the nursery to people as I have

been so satisfied with it.
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Review from Heidi S (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very friendly and welcoming nursery.
Staff are very friendly and get to know everyone individually.
The staff teach my daughter life long skills and she has progressed so much since she has been there. Will recommend to everyone.
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Review from Cian M (Father of Child) published on 19 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My two children go to Pennies Nursery and they both love it, I wouldn't send them anywhere else. When I come to pick up them they get upset to be leaving. The staff really care for the children here and I feel happy to leave the children
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Review from Nicki (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I looked around a lot of nurseries before placing my children at Pennies. When visiting I knew this was where I wanted my children to go, not only is it an old house, but the feeling you get when you visit is like they are a family, very warm welcome. Leaving your children at a nursery, I think, is
one of the hardest things to do after having them 24/7, however, this was an easy transition.
It's not that my children like to see the back of me, but when they open their arms to the nursery ladies I feel very reassured that they enjoy the environment. On an educational basis, classes are set on age and ability, so learning takes place at the correct level. Lots of activities to do inside, and the garden is lovely too. I don't have any second thoughts about choosing this nursery.
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Review from Marianne E (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We looked around a lot of nurseries before settling on Pennies - and I have been extremely happy with our choice ever since.


The nursery is clean and with good equipment and facilities. The staff could not be more friendly and helpful, and I love the Tapestry system because it allows us to be more

involved and get an insight during the nursery day.


I feel like my child is in excellent hands and has made good progress since starting, and if I have another child I would certainly not hesitate to send them there as well.

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Review from Katie W (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am so pleased with this nursery. We love it and so does my little boy. The staff are so happy and cheery, morning and night even when collecting my child at 5.30! It's always clean and tidy too. We love it here.
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Review from M J B (Father of Child) published on 19 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Have sent both our children here so had a connection for 7 years now (this will be our last). Both of our children loved it, as have those of some of our friends whose children also attend. In fact, I haven't heard any complaints. The fees are quite high, but they children get well fed and nappies for
the babies so I guess you get what you pay for and the hours they are open are long enough that there is not normally a rush home from work to collect the children.
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Review from Tahlia K (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff are brilliant. They work with you to understand the individual needs of the children and work to help them develop in a way which suits their personality and interests. The staff are qualified, friendly, committed, professional and diligent, and I have no reservations to recommend the nursery
to anyone.
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Review from Louise M (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Pennies has been brilliant for our little girl. The staff are so good at meeting her individual needs and tackling transitions sensitively and at the correct pace. We feel it has done her the world of good and we will definitely be increasing her days when she is 3 as she enjoys it so much! The staff
also use Tapestry to help us know what she is up to which is always lovely, especially when she hasn't settled on leaving her some days. I have already recommended Pennies Hockers Lane to friends and will continue to do so!
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Review from Jodie S (Mother of Child) published on 3 August 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my sons currently attend Pennies at Hockers lane. They both love going and I feel they are extremely well cared for. All the facilities and staff are outstanding. I would recommend to anyone looking for a nursery
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Review from Emma O (Mother of Child) published on 21 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff are friendly and welcoming, and they communicate very well with parents. The food is healthy and seems well received by my daughter. They are out in the garden in the fresh air as much as possible and are always having great fun on the toys or exploring. They learn through play and encouraged
in everything they do. Would recommend to anyone that wants a happy child when you pick them up.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.944)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.944) out of 10 for Pennies Day Nursery - Hockers Lane, Maidstone is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 15 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 15 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 4.944 for Pennies Day Nursery - Hockers Lane, Maidstone is calculated as follows: ( (171 Excellents x 5) + (8 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 180 Ratings = 4.944
  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 - Hockers Lane, Maidstone is based on 15 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 55 number of registered child places is 11, which has been reached with 15 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

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (9)

Meet the Team (3)

Caroline

Caroline Hannant

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2007

I have worked for Pennies for nearly 18 years, I have worked alongside a great team and successfully progressed from being Head of Unit, Third in Charge, Deputy Manager at Newnham Court to Nursery Manager at Hockers Lane.


I love being apart of such a great team and I share my enthusiasm, with the teams, for arts and crafts, messy play and sensory exploration, promoting great learning opportunities for the children. My work family has extended and the team, children and parents, couldn't have made me feel more welcome.

Kathryn

Kathryn Fox

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2024

Hi, my name is Kathryn and I joined Pennies in April 2024. I have worked in Early Years establishments for the past 23 years. Back at the beginning of my career, I gained an NNEB in childcare, working in various day nurseries and school settings, with children aged between 3 months to 5 years. More recently I have achieved a BA Hons (first class) degree in Early childhood studies and spent time teaching children in Preschool settings. Having the opportunity to be part of the Pennies family is wonderful and enables me to continue to fulfil my passion within the Early Years and continue to be part of children’s early childhood journey.

Sarah-Lou

Sarah-Lou Stepney

Job Title: Deputy Manager - Early Years Professional Joined: 2001

Hi, my name is Sarah-Lou and I started Pennies at Hockers Lane in 2001 as a Level 3 Practitioner. Before joining Pennies I worked for another family run company and during this time I completed a Level 2 and 3 NVQ in Childcare and Education. In 2005, when Newnham Court opened, I decided to take a new post there. During my time at Pennies I have gained experience working with children from 3 months old to 11 years old. I have also had 2 children of my own, Millie and Jake. In 2016 I took on a Development Coordinator role at Pennies which allowed me to work with all 3 nurseries and to support each setting with their CPD. I’ve now come back to Hockers Lane as Deputy manager.

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