Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep

St Faith's Prep, 5 The Street, Ash, Canterbury CT3 2HH
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14 Reviews
  • Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep, Canterbury
Sandcastles Nursery provides early years education for children aged two years upwards.

Situated in the beautiful Kent countryside, the nursery is rated 'Excellent' (ISI, November 2022) and is home to a highly dedicated and experienced Early Years team who create a safe and nurturing environment where every child can explore, discover and thrive.

Children at Sandcastles Nursery benefit from subject-specialists in Music, French and Sport, and enjoy the excellent facilities available to them through the main school. They love to explore the outdoors, regularly visiting the school's Nature Garden, and during the summer months the Upper Nursery children also benefit from swimming lessons in the onsite heated pool.

Freshly cooked hot lunches are provided within the fee cost, and the nursery offers both term-time and year-round childcare, as well as wrap-around care until 5.30pm.

Sandcastles Nursery supports children to be active learners and to pursue their ideas through creativity. Children are encouraged to develop as individuals and an imaginative and fully developed Early Years curriculum supports children to build the skills they need to start school happy and full of confidence.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Helen Coombs (Headteacher)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 11

Total Places for Children

  • 60

Age Range

  • from 2 years 0 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Morning Session (8am to 1pm) £40.
    Full Day (8am to 3.30pm) £60.
    Early Years Late Room is available until 5.30 for an additional charge.

  • Participates in the Kent County Council Free Early Education for 3 & 4 year olds. Able to provide access up to 15 hours a week for 38 weeks a year (570 hours max).

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-17:30
    Tuesday 08:00-17:30
    Wednesday 08:00-17:30
    Thursday 08:00-17:30
    Friday 08:00-17:30

When Closed

  • Christmas

Parking

  • Parking onsite at main school drop-off and pick-up times, and layby for all other times.

Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep Reviews (14)

Over all time Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep has 14 reviews.

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Review from Stephanie O (Mother of Child) published on 12 July 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son loves Sandcastles nursery so much, his progress has been amazing and the staff are just fantastic. It’s immensely nurturing, you often see one of the ladies carrying a little one, and they interact with the children in such a beautiful way. Our son has learnt so much from mathematics ie counting,
his phonics and his love of music has flourished. We couldn’t think of a happier setting for our son to be in. Our son adores his key worker and often speaks about her and the other ladies whom all put in so much effort with every child. I love the fact the nursery is in a more rural setting and they are often taken down to the field to play. Our son comes home regularly with artwork he has made and is always proud of it. He is so happy there.
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Review from Catherine R (Mother of Child) published on 12 July 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Every single day we are greeted with smiles from the staff at Sandcastles. The nursery has excelled all my expectations. My son enjoys all aspects of play at Sandcastles and his assisting in his development in preparation for school. I know he has the best time and he is so well looked after and cared
for. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Sandcastles to anyone!
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Review from A R (Mother of Child) published on 2 July 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has attended several nurseries as we have moved around. I can say that Sandcastles Nursery, without doubt, is the best care provider we have experienced. Not only is my child thriving in their care, the communication between staff and parents provides further assurances that this has been
a decision well made.
Professional, personable, caring and genuine - the staff really are wonderful. Thank you!
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Review from Yasmin K (Mother of Child) published on 25 June 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Choosing a nursery for our first child was hard, as we wanted a place where we would feel that she was safe, happy and would enjoy herself. After visiting St Faith's nursery we were over the moon as we were really impressed with what we saw and heard. Our daughter has been going for three months and
absolutely loves it.
She has a strong bond with the teachers and has done so much in a short space of time.
We feel that she has developed a lot since going and is able to have the one to one that she needs.
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Review from J P (Mother of Child) published on 25 June 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have been very happy with how our children have progressed at Sandcastles Nursery. They have more confidence and a willingness to learn new things. The staff are very supportive and keep us up to date with how our children are getting on. We, as parents, feel very confident that our children are
thriving in a safe, happy and fun environment.
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Review from Megan A (Mother of Child) published on 25 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All three of my children have attended this nursery, the oldest is now 9. My son who is 2 now attends and has had the same teacher, a testament to the fact that staff are both loyal and fantastic. I adore this nursery for its nurture, it's kindness and ability to educate in a fun stimulating environment.
My son is very happy and I couldn't imagine him anywhere else.
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Review from Jo B (Mother of Child) published on 25 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A wonderful nurturing environment. The staff are amazing and my daughter just loves it there. They provide the children with such a vast range of activities and experiences - my daughter is flourishing.
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Review from Lee C (Father of Child) published on 8 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Sandcastles is a wonderful setting for nursery aged children. Every child is nurtured, valued and cared for by wonderful and professional staff, who after two years feel more like family! Activities are varied and our daughter has enjoyed art, baking, growing in the garden as well as music, French and
all sorts of sporting activities. We would recommend St Faith's Sandcastles Nursery to anyone seeking high-quality childcare in a lovely setting.
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Review from Sarah V (Mother of Child) published on 20 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our experience of Sandcastles has been very positive. My son seems to enjoy attending and seems to be able to demonstrate new learning from school which is lovely to see. Ultimately, the most important thing when leaving a young child is that you feel confident that they will be happy and safe.


The

staff will give my son a cuddle as I leave if he wants one and I feel comfortable leaving him in their very capable hands.
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Review from R A (Mother of Child) published on 6 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We transitioned from another nursery to Sandcastles after moving closer to Ash. From the initial visit to the settling in session and beyond, my husband and I are thoroughly impressed by the staff, facilities, meals and activities.
Our son has flourished and loves it there. He has now moved up into
the upper nursery, and the transition was managed superbly. We couldn't be happier with Sandcastles and the staff have been helpful and supportive when needed. We hope our son will continue through the school, and our daughter will start at the nursery in 18 months time.
Reply from Helen Groves, Marketing and Communications Manager at Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep
Thank you for your kind words, we are very proud of our Nursery and wonderful staff.
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Review from H S (Mother of Child) published on 6 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Sandcastles Nursery is a great place for children. Our twin daughters have been so happy there. They love going to school and get very excited, just by the mention of it.
The teaching staff are really lovely and caring to the children. They are very reassuring and very organised, definitely a great
place to leave your children without any worry.
We can see a huge development in the three months that our children have been there; in terms of speech, knowledge etc.
The only things that we do not quite like is the parking outside the school, as there is a lack of flexibility for nursery children as they don't have a fixed time to be dropped off.
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Review from Guy W (Father of Child) published on 6 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter is new to the nursery and new to the area having recently moved. She loved her last nursery, so we were nervous about her ability to settle. We needn't have worried. Sandcastles Nursery is a bright, warm and welcoming environment. The staff are exceptional, very friendly and do all to help
busy parents. My daughter loves them, she loves her new friends and looks forward to every day. The nursery is attached to a primary school which includes the nursery in all it's activities and empowers the younger kids to move onwards and up.
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Review from Liz (Mother of Child) published on 6 December 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A wonderful nursery that my son is very happy attending. He can't wait to get there in the mornings and get stuck into all the fun activities and play with his friends. The staff are fantastic and certainly make this a special place for the little ones. I would definitely recommend Sandcastles at St
Faith's Prep School.
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Review from Lindsay B (Mother of Child) published on 6 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am extremely happy with the care and facilities. The compulsory school dinners are a real plus for helping one of my fussy eaters. The staff really care about assessing each child's individual needs. The music lessons are a real hit with my twins. In the summer, they enjoyed using the school swimming
pool. I have a great relationship with the staff which gives me a piece of mind and up to date every day with how their day has been. A fantastic nursery. :)
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep

What is the Age Range of Children that Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep accepts?

Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep accepts Children aged from 2 years 0 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep Open?

Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep is open: Monday 08:00-17:30, Tuesday 08:00-17:30, Wednesday 08:00-17:30, Thursday 08:00-17:30, Friday 08:00-17:30.

How many Children does Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep have capacity for?

Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep has capacity for a total of 60 Children.

How far is Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep to the centre of Canterbury?

8.5 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith's Prep has an Enhanced Service - more info.