Play A Way Day Care Centre

Oddfellows Hall, 2a Vicarage Road, Gillingham ME7 5HZ
Review Us
9.9 54 Reviews
  • Play A Way Day Care Centre, Gillingham
Play A Way Day Care Centre is one of three Gillingham facilities from this provider (Play A Way Nurseries Ltd), all of which are well-respected by families and parents whose children have benefited from a sound early years curriculum.

All of the nursery's team are well-qualified and believe in a friendly approach towards both children and parents, respecting the direction of regulator Ofsted and the key goals of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Show Play A Way Day Care Centre on the Map

Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Tasha Cave (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 12

Total Places for Children

  • 35

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Day Nursery Children:


    AM/PM Session: 08:30–11:30 (AM) or 12:30–15:30 (PM) - £30.00
    Core Session: 08:30am–3:30pm - £60.00
    Full Day:07:30am-6:00pm - £67.50
    Half Day: 07:30am–12:30pm or 12:30–6:00 pm - £42.00
    Full week: 5 Full days – (Mon–Fri) - £315.00
    Additional Hour - £10.50

  • Types of funding accepted:
    Tax free childcare accepted
    2 year old funding
    3 years old funding
    15/30 hours funding

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Parking

  • One hour free street parking for all visitors.

Play A Way Day Care Centre Reviews (54)

9.9

Play A Way Day Care Centre has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.918) out of 10, based on 21 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Play A Way Day Care Centre has 54 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 47
  • 7
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Date Published
  • 54
  • 10
  • 16
  • 21
  • 33
Reviewer Connection to Play A Way Day Care Centre
  • 44
  • 8
  • 1
  • 1
Total of 54, showing 41-54
Review from Katy M (Mother of Child) published on 22 December 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending this nursery since January 2020, and he absolutely loves it.
Both the toddler room and the preschool rooms have been amazing for his learning and confidence. I've noticed such a change in him, he's becoming more confident every day, doing more things and that's all down to
the nursery staff.
He is always asking to go and see the staff as well as his friends there. He walks in so happy. All staff are so friendly and welcoming and are there for parents too as well as children. I would 100% recommend this nursery!
Reply from Erica Edwards, Manager at Play A Way Day Care CentreThank you for your amazing review, from all at Playaway.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Charlotte B (Mother of Child) published on 21 June 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been here since April and I have not had any issues or concerns. My daughter loves going and is loved very much by all the staff. I was put at ease when leaving her and no matter how many times I call up to check on her, they are so understanding. My daughter has grown more in confidence
and knowledge whilst attending. She was premature by 2 months so again this was another concern but the nursery has been amazing. I can't fault anything with the nursery and will be keeping her there til she is ready to move on.
Reply from Carol Vigus, Owner/Manager at Play A Way Day Care CentreThank you for the review they help us to monitor and review our service.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Lisa G (Mother of Child) published on 3 April 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot praise the owner and the staff enough at Play Away, Vicarage Road, Gillingham. My son loves coming into nursery every day. He has come on leaps and bounds and his confidence has grown, he is now ready for school in September. THANK YOU!!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Linda H (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Even though my child has only been to the nursery for just over one month he seems to enjoy the atmosphere. He has only had one incident and the nursery was very quick to handle it and deal with it very quickly. Staff are ever so friendly and so easy to approach. My child is picking up more words with
them and is very excited to attend. Well done Play-A-Way, keep up the good work.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Keely O (Mother of Child) published on 23 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am very pleased with my child's progress since being at Play-A-Way Day Nursery. The staff are all excellent and have helped my child come on in leaps and bounds.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Jennifer W (Mother of Child) published on 23 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Overall, the experience is very good. My son enjoys nursery and comes into nursery without any problems. I am satisfied with his progress. Staff are friendly and approachable with any concerns being dealt with quickly.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Renee W (Grandmother of Child) published on 23 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
He has settled in lovely and enjoys coming. Staff are very nice and quick to pick up on any problems with your child.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Claire H (Mother of Child) published on 23 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This nursery is fantastic. My daughter loves coming here. She is learning lots and she is always happy to be there.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Hollie C (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I am very pleased with my daughter's progress. I can see how much he enjoys coming to nursery as sometimes he doesn't want to leave!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Darren R (Father of Child) published on 4 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am very happy to say all staff and the things they do in respect of my daughters learning and activities that she participates in are highly recommended and useful. Thank you.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Lisa L (Mother of Child) published on 18 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both of my children go to the nursery and both really enjoyed their time there. I have no problems what so ever and I think they have flourished in the friendly fun and educational atmosphere.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Bethany B (Mother of Child) published on 18 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Play-A-Way's has helped our daughter to become more confident on social situations and within groups. Play-A-Way's have always kept us up to date about our daughters progress and events. Play-A-Way's staff are approachable, kind, caring and highly committed. I highly recommend Play-A-Way's.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Christianne D (Mother of Child) published on 18 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The play school has been a brilliant place for my son as he got to overcome his shyness. He learnt quite a lot being in play school.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Katie F (Mother of Child) published on 12 April 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
A caring environment, all the staff are brilliant. Each child is looked after with 100% of each carer. Large bright clean play area with lots to do. A lovely spacious garden. Easy access to the toilets and a good range of snacks. The building isn't the most attractive but it is always clean and the
space has been used well. I am particularly impressed with how the staff show such interest in my children. They really do care. They are also very flexible which is a winner for me. They always seem to have a wide range of learning tasks which is great. My children always have a lovely time.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.918)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.918) out of 10 for Play A Way Day Care Centre 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 21 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 21 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 4.918 for Play A Way Day Care Centre is calculated as follows: ( (226 Excellents x 5) + (18 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 245 Ratings = 4.918
  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 Play A Way Day Care Centre is based on 21 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 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 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 35 number of registered child places is 7, which has been reached with 21 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.

Loading

Loading Loading

Loading

Loading

Awards / Recognitions (1)

Meet the Team (2)

Natasha

Natasha

Job Title: Manager

I have been employed by Play-a-Way Nurseries since leaving school. I started my career at Play-a-Way, Christmas Street setting and in those 11 years, I worked my way up to become the Pre-school Room Leader and the After-School Club Lead. However, after leaving and attempting many different career routes I missed my time working with the children. I realised that educating children and encouraging them to develop into their best selves through play and learning, expanding on their knowledge, interests, and skills was what I enjoyed and what I wanted to do. I returned to Play-a-Way and became Deputy Manager at the newly acquired Stuart Road setting before I was promoted to Manager at our Play-a-Way Vicarage Road setting. I recently gained my B.A. (Hons) in Early Childcare and Education and I am confident that the skills I developed in all three settings will be useful in my new position and will benefit the facility and the families and children who attend it.

Zoe

Zoe

Job Title: Deputy Manager

I have been employed at Play-a-Way since September 2023 as Deputy Manager and Preschool Room Lead. I have a Teaching Degree in Primary Education, specialising in Early Years. I started my career managing a nursery and then I moved on to primary education. I love to explore every individual child’s interest and always want to make learning as fun as can be. I am passionate about allowing children to develop independence, creativity and lifelong skills through play. I look forward to meeting the Play-a-Way families and getting to know all the wonderful children.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Play A Way Day Care Centre to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Play A Way Day Care Centre has an Enhanced Service - more info.