Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start)

22-23 Overcliffe, Gravesend DA11 0EH
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9.8 52 Reviews
  • Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start), Gravesend
Windmill Nursery School (previously Smart Start Nursery School) is located inside two Victorian townhouses in Gravesend, Kent. Their team of educators are experienced and passionate about providing premium education and care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years old.

At Windmill you’ll find a home-from-home environment with tailored spaces to suit children at every age of their time at the nursery. Babies enjoy sensory discovery and gentle play, with free access to resources and the large garden area. Toddlers also enjoy time outdoors as well as caring for the nursery budgies, Jelly and Olaf. Preschool children focus on developing an understanding of phonics, numbers and their social skills.

The nursery’s learning-approach is tailored to allow children to develop at their own pace in their own time, combining the Early Years Foundation Stage framework with their own learning programmes.

At mealtimes, children enjoy freshly prepared food by the onsite chef using local and seasonal produce where possible. Older children help with food preparation in the kitchen.

Windmill prides itself on developing close relationships with parents, working with them to create a partnership that enhances children’s learning and development.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Jessica Skinner (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 25

Total Places for Children

  • 84

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Full day (7:30 am to 6:30 pm) from £67.50

  • We want to make life simple, so our fees include infant formula, milk, freshly prepared snacks, and meals. We also provide nappies, wipes, and sun cream, or parents can bring their own if they prefer.

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

Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) Reviews (52)

9.8

Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.813) out of 10, based on 27 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) has 52 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start)
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Review from L A (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son absolutely loves going to the nursery, he really enjoys his teacher's company, and they make him feel safe and secure, which is the most important for me. Definitely recommend this nursery to anyone
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Review from Rashma A (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery has been great for my son in terms of social interaction with other kids. He's a fussy eater, so they also take the time to sit with him to encourage eating a different variety of foods. There is genuine care for the children; they oversee and always take the time to speak to you to reassure
you of his progress and development. The nursery offers a wide range of activities for the kids and is always happy to assist with any requests around his welfare. My son enjoys his time there. The times are flexible for working mothers. The staff there are always, always pleasant, which is a good environment for my son to be in. I love the pictures that are sent of some of the activities he undertakes during his session. Ultimately, I have no concerns when my son is left under their care.
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Review from Daniel O (Father of Child) published on 1 February 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since joining Smart Start, I've noticed my son has become more outgoing and confident. His interaction with other children has greatly improved. The staff are always friendly and helpful. The seniors have been amazing, very flexible and accommodating. The staff also update a daily log, which I follow
on the app, which is reassuring and gives a great insight into his day. 10/10.
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Review from Shannon F (Mother of Child) published on 17 August 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I can honestly say my son gained so much confidence being at Smart Start. All the staff were always so lovely and helpful, and I was never worried about him being in their care. I know my son loved his time at Smart Start and cried his eyes out when he realised it was his last day there.
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Review from G B (Mother of Child) published on 12 August 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little one has been coming since March for 4 days a week and settled in really quickly - he doesn’t even want to go home at the end of the day as he’s having so much fun. He’s so happy at nursery and all the staff are so lovely. I would recommend this nursery to anyone.
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Review from F C (Mother of Child) published on 12 August 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my boys attended this nursery, my youngest 'graduated' from the pre-school in the summer of 2022. Both kids loved it here! The staff are very friendly, warm and responsive, the boys felt cared for and that showed when sharing their experience at home. The management is also very responsive. Our
favourite feature was definitely the large garden, kids really enjoyed the space! The building itself perhaps needs some renovations, we have seen some of that taking place already. Overall, the boys wanted to go to nursery every day and they had a smile at pick up which says a lot about the great time they had. As a mum, I was pleased to see how caring the staff has been, especially when a child was upset and they were even reassuring towards me during the initial moments of separation. I highly recommend this nursery and I am pleased that both my boys had such a positive first experience, thank you!
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Review from M R (Mother of Child) published on 28 January 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My twins have loved coming to the nursery since they were 13-months. All the staff are hardworking and friendly, and my twins are getting the best care and support that is needed for them. They have a great outdoor space, and the twins are always talking about going into the garden. We are always informed
about any latest news or anything concerning our twins via phone or email.
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Review from Karen J (Mother of Child) published on 28 January 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Extremely pleased with this nursery. I have two children who attend this nursery and cannot explain how please I am with the service they provide. The staff are really friendly and look after the children. I have never had to complain. It's a very clean nursery and lots of things for the children to
do, the garden is outstanding with lots of fun things for the children. Overall, highly recommended.
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Review from Niccie L (Mother of Child) published on 29 July 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Our daughter has loved attending Smart Start Nursery. The staff were always very friendly, helpful and they went over and beyond during lockdown. I want to thank you for providing a fun, caring environment during lockdown for our daughter, under very difficult circumstances, and being very flexible.
We will definitely recommend you to other families.
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Review from Plamena N (Mother of Child) published on 17 July 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing staff and amazing attitude. I can’t want for more. My daughter was really happy to go to the nursery. She really, really enjoyed the adventure and really loved all the teachers. I give five stars because you guys deserve it. Thank you very much for your help and for your care. Kind regards.
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Review from Marinela C (Mother of Child) published on 17 July 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very nice staff and they look after the children very well.
Nice building with a big garden and the opening hours are matched very well with parent's requirements.
Good Ofsted rating. Highly recommend it.
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Review from Clare R (Mother of Child) published on 29 June 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both of my sons attended Smart Start Nursery and thoroughly enjoyed it. The staff are extremely caring, helpful and approachable. Both of my sons developed wonderful relationships with the staff and speak about them at home all of the time. The staff have great knowledge of the children and set up wonderful
activities to support the children in their development. We are all very sad that due to the lockdown our children were unable to finish their time here as we had planned and we ate all very sad that they missed there last few months at what has been a wonderful start to their learning and development.
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.813)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.813) out of 10 for Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) 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 27 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 26 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 4.813 for Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) is calculated as follows: ( (281 Excellents x 5) + (26 Goods x 4) + (6 Satisfactorys x 3) + (6 Poors x 2) + (1 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 320 Ratings = 4.813
  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 Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) is based on 26 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 84 number of registered child places is 16.8, which has been reached with 26 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 (4)

Meet the Team (1)

Jessica

Jessica

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2024

Hello and welcome to Windmill Nursery School in Gravesend.
Every day at Windmill we encourage children to be inquisitive and creative in our stimulating learning environment. In doing so, they soon develop a real love of learning and a curious mind.


Our experienced team come with a wealth of early years learning insight. We know that every child is different with their own story to tell, so we make sure that your child learns in a way and at a pace that’s right for them.


Our happy nursery allows children to imagine, wonder and learn, both indoors and outside, whether it’s our creative play and sensory rooms or our large garden that’s ready for adventures. We work collaboratively with parents, a partnership that truly enhances children's learning and development.


We’d love you to come and visit us and look forward to meeting you and your family.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Windmill Nursery School (Smart Start) has an Enhanced Service - more info.