Play-A-Way Activity Centre, in Gillingham, is a fifty capacity nursery with an excellent community reputation, offering parents an open and honest service while their child is able to learn and develop in a healthy and secure atmosphere.
The facility is well-resourced for age-specific learning, looking to prepare each child well for the challenges of full-time education.
Group: Play-A-Way
Person in charge: Carol Vigus (Owner/Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services: Medway Council
Number of Staff: 15
Service Offered: Nursery School (Privately Owned), Open all year, Full Day Care
Total Places for Children: 50
Age Range: from 0 years to 8 years
Opening Days: Mon-Fri
Opening Hours: 0700-1800
The Review Score of 9.6 (maximum of 10) for Play-A-Way Activity Centre is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.
a) The Average Rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 16 Reviews over all time. This Average Rating is also the rating value for Play-A-Way Activity Centre in Google's Search Results - more info
b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5 out of 5 from 12 positive Reviews in the last 12 months.
a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating of all Reviews over all time. For each review the Day Nursery / service is rated Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, Poor or Very Poor on a number of areas eg Staff, Management etc. The Day Nursery receives points for each rating as follows: Excellent = 5. Good = 4. Satisfactory = 3. Poor = 2. Very Poor = 1. These points are added up and then divided by the total number of completed ratings to generate the average rating.
The Average Rating of 4.637 for Play-A-Way Activity Centre is calculated as follows: ( (128 Excellents x 5) + (55 Goods x 4) + (7 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 190 Ratings = 4.637
b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 12 months. If there are no Positive Reviews in the last 12 months, then 2.5 points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 2 years. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with 'Extremely Likely' or 'Likely' in answer to the question 'How likely are you to recommend this Day Nursery to friends and family?'
The 5 points available are broken down as follows:
4 points are available for the first 5 Positive Reviews, 3 points for the first Positive Review and then 0.25 Points for each of the next 4 Positive Reviews.
1 point is available for reaching a target number of Positive Reviews based on 20% of the number of registered maximum number of service users. If the target is partially reached then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery with 50 registered maximum number of service users has a target of 10 Positive Reviews, if it has 10 or more Positive Reviews it will receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews will receive 0.7 points.
If there are no Positive Reviews in the last 12 months, then 2.5 points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 2 years. The calculation is the same as above, except the points are divided by 2.
The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Play-A-Way Activity Centre is based on 12 positive Reviews in the last 12 months and is calculated as follows:
3 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 = 4
Target of 10 positive Reviews (50 registered maximum number of service users ÷ 5). 12 Reviews ÷ 10 Target Reached = 1
When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
Play-A-Way Activity Centre has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.637)
Review submitted from a Postal Card by Valerie Z (Mother of Child) on Thursday 5 April 2018. Relates to February 2018.
Good nursery, staff are very friendly, children are well cared for and looked after.
Good learning activities and follows the curriculum.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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Carol Vigus, Owner at Play-A-Way Activity Centre responded to this review on 05 Apr 2018:
Thank you for the review.
Review submitted from a Website Submission by Gemma B (Mother of Child) on Tuesday 6 March 2018. Relates to August 2017.
My older son attended play away Christmas street and loved it. Hence why I chose to send my 2nd son there and he also loved it. However, with my second son, he has development delays which were evident and the nursery were kind, supportive and willing to learn new ways as well as using their experience with additional needs children to help him develop. A great place for both my boys to spend their early years. I am so glad I chose play always.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Claire A (Mother of Child) on Monday 5 March 2018. Relates to March 2018.
I have two children that attend this nursery. My son goes to breakfast club and walking bus to school. My daughter is full-time daycare at this nursery. Play-A-Way is such a fantastic nursery and would highly recommend to anyone. My children are happy and well looked after. The staff are amazing and have been such a support to all of us as a family.
Both my children are learning and growing in confidence by the day. I can go to work confident that my children are in good hands. They both also attend holiday club and both love this and the activities that are put on.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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Carol Vigus, Owner at Play-A-Way Activity Centre responded to this review on 06 Mar 2018:
Thank you for your comments.
Review submitted from a Website Submission by Elin C (Mother of Child) on Tuesday 27 February 2018. Relates to February 2018.
Fantastic nursery, wonderful supportive staff. Approachable and willing to help and be available whenever you need.
So good with children with extra needs.
Cant fault Christmas Street! My boys literally run through the door.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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Carol Vigus, Owner at Play-A-Way Activity Centre responded to this review on 06 Mar 2018:
Thank you for your review.
Review submitted from a Website Submission by Bethan M (Mother of Child) on Tuesday 27 February 2018. Relates to February 2018.
This is by far the best nursery both my children have attended and also my nephew. All the children have a fantastic day filled with so many activities for them to do. The staff are always welcoming and very kind, they always consider each child’s needs and make the separation between parents and their children much more relaxing knowing our children are in safe hands. Being a student my timetables have changed from time to time and the staff have always been extremely helpful in helping my children’s care be as flexible as I needed previously. Fantastic nursery.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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Carol Vigus, owner at Play-A-Way Activity Centre responded to this review on 27 Feb 2018:
Thank you.
Review submitted from a Postal Card by Poppy B (Mother of Child) on Monday 26 February 2018. Relates to February 2018.
Absolutely love Play-A-Way nursery and so does my son. The staff are always so welcoming and always talk about the children so fondly. They have been great with steps like potty training and do their utmost to adapt to parents and the children's different needs. I recently moved and the nursery is no longer as convenient to get to. However, I would not move my child to a closer nursery as he is so well settled and cared for at Play-A-Way nursery in Gillingham.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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Carol Vigus, Owner at Play-A-Way Activity Centre responded to this review on 26 Feb 2018:
Thank you, it's great you stayed with us.
Review submitted from a Postal Card by Philippa A (Mother of Child) on Monday 26 February 2018. Relates to February 2018.
Both my children attend Play-A-Way nursery on Christmas Street in Gillingham. I feel exceptionally happy with how my youngest is doing in the baby room as the staff are always very attentive and always very attentive and always give thorough handovers to me when picking him up. My eldest is in the preschool room and although I am confident he is always safe and generally happy there I would prefer it if the staff could take the time to let me know how he gets on each day, although I understand they are busy.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Likely
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Carol Vigus, Owner at Play-A-Way Activity Centre responded to this review on 26 Feb 2018:
Please ask your child's key person when you collect, the staff are always happy to give you some feedback on how your child has been.
Review submitted from a Website Submission by Canny M (Mother of Child) on Friday 23 February 2018. Relates to February 2018.
Both of my children went to this nursery and I’m very happy with them, when my firstborn was there (years ago), he had just transferred from a local nursery to Play-A-Way as requested by us his parents. He wasn’t doing very well with his previous nursery as they didn’t take time to get to know him at all and as parents, we had lots of concern regarding his wellbeing so we made the right decision after speaking with the manager and transferred him and our boys adjusted well with Play-A-Way.
Now my second child is there and I’m really happy with his adjustment and well-being só definitely recommending this nursery to other parents.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Likely
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Carol Vigus, Owner at Play-A-Way Activity Centre responded to this review on 26 Feb 2018:
Thank you for the review.
Review submitted from a Postal Card by Craig M (Father of Child) on Thursday 22 February 2018. Relates to February 2018.
My son started at Play-A-Way in November 2017. Play-A-Way was welcoming in all areas explaining policies and protocols.
We chose Play-A-Way nursery as it was presentable inside. All staff seemed happy and approachable.
The outside space is a little smaller than I would like, however, staff have used it to it's best potential. Well done.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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Carol Vigus, Owner at Play-A-Way Activity Centre responded to this review on 22 Feb 2018:
Thank you for this review from all the staff.
Review submitted from a Website Submission by Jade N (Mother of Child) on Wednesday 21 February 2018. Relates to February 2018.
The nursery settled my daughter in just a few sessions. She’s of toddler age. I felt comfortable leaving her there, whereas I did not feel this in other nurseries I looked at. They are reassuring and happy for me to call to check in on her. They have managed to get to her to eat more variety of foods that she will at home. She is always happy when I leave her and collect her (unless she is tired!). Staff are great with her & me. Their security for collecting the children is great. All in all, it’s a fab nursery and I’d happily recommend them to others.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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Carol Vigus, Owner at Play-A-Way Activity Centre responded to this review on 22 Feb 2018:
Thank you for the lovely review.
Review submitted from a Postal Card by Charlotte B (Mother of Child) on Monday 19 February 2018. Relates to February 2018.
I was a new mum in 2016 and the thought of returning to work was very worrying. I looked at many nurseries and found that none of them matched how I felt when I visited Play-A-Way Activity Centre.
My daughter is treated like their own she is so happy here and it then makes me feel at ease whilst at work. My daughter has learnt so much more being here and is growing into a lovely little girl. The staff listen to concerns, family problems and you are welcomed in every way.
They have introduced her to so many new experiences something I was worried she would miss out on as I had to go back to work I can't thank the staff enough for what they do here and will continue her learning right here until school age. Play-A-Way Activity Centre is Brilliant.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Stephanie M (Mother of Child) on Saturday 10 February 2018. Relates to February 2018.
Excellent breakfast and after-school clubs. Children are well looked after and a range of activities offered. Staff have high expectations for children’s behaviour and encourage positive relationships. Staff always have time to talk to parents and my son is very happy here.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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Carol Vigus, Owner at Play-A-Way Activity Centre responded to this review on 12 Feb 2018:
Thank you for your review it helps us to improve where we can.
Review submitted from a Website Submission by Oonagh M (Mother of Child) on Thursday 28 July 2016. Relates to July 2016.
Not being from Medway, I was originally worried about where to send my first child and thankfully Play-A-Way was recommended to me by a parent. The carers are very friendly and welcoming. My daughter is in the toddler room and my son is in the baby room. All members of staff are helpful and accommodating and I feel they often go beyond their call of duty for all parents. Putting your children's care and well-being in the care of someone else is a daunting experience and I find it difficult trusting someone 100% however, this has never been an issue at Play-A-Way. I'm always kept well informed of both my daughter's and son's behaviour and progress. Daily activities, sleeping times, eating habits and any other issues are always communicated clearly and dealt with on a daily basis. The carers at the nursery are always happy to offer advice and answer questions. Both my son and daughter love spending their days here and it makes my day a lot easier knowing that they are in a safe environment and in excellent hands.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Nicola D (Mother of Child) on Friday 25 March 2016. Relates to March 2016.
My daughter has been going here since she was 1 years old, she is now 4 and I have never had a problem. Will continue to use them when she goes to school in September for after school club and holiday club.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Ivan D (Father of Child) on Thursday 24 March 2016. Relates to March 2016.
Overall, we are very happy with Play-A-Way Nursery and the progress our daughter has made. There have been great improvements in our daughter's understanding, language development and general development since starting nursery. Staff deserve 10 stars! xxx
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Abi S (Mother of Child) on Wednesday 23 March 2016. Relates to March 2016.
Both my sons have been to this nursery. My youngest began in the baby room and is now in the toddler/preschool area. He loves it here! The staff in each are kind and professional. I have had to move days around but nothing has been too much trouble from management.
How likely would you be to recommend Play-A-Way Activity Centre? Extremely Likely
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