Business Details
28 Years
experience
Award-Winning Childcare in Gillingham
The Gillingham Nursery has been a trusted provider of early childhood education and care in Gillingham since 1998. Our purpose-built facility on Gillingham Business Park offers a warm, engaging, and supportive environment where children thrive through play, learning, and exploration. With structured programs tailored to age groups from babies to preschoolers, we prioritise individual development, safety, and family involvement. Our dedicated team, led by Nursery Manager Lesley Dartnell, brings decades of experience and a passion for nurturing young minds. Recognised with awards such as the NDNA Award and Ofsted Good Provider status, we maintain high standards in both education and care.Our themed rooms, outdoor garden, and innovative activities create a unique 'home from home' atmosphere. We use technology to keep parents informed about their child's progress and milestones. With flexible booking options and a commitment to affordability, we aim to make quality childcare accessible. Our reputation, built on over 25 years of service, reflects our dedication to excellence. We invite families to experience our nurturing environment through free consultations and trial sessions.
Services
Baby Room Care
Toddler Development
Preschool Programs
Flexible Booking
Parent Communication App
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- Experienced team with 25+ years in childcare excellence
- Tailored programs for every developmental stage from birth
- Real-time progress updates via secure parent communication app
- Award-winning safety and educational standards
- Unique themed rooms and outdoor learning spaces
Associations and certifications
- NDNA
- Ofsted
- Food Hygiene Award Scheme
- Nursery World
What people say
Loves it here
Excellent care
Thrived
Lovely staff
Great communication
Services
Baby Room Care
Our dedicated baby room provides nurturing care for infants from 8 weeks old. Specially designed with sensory activities and safe exploration spaces, our qualified staff support early developmental milestones through gentle interaction and structured routines. Parents receive daily updates via our communication app to stay connected with their baby's progress.
Toddler Development
For children aged 1-3 years, our toddler program balances structured learning with free play. Themed environments like our Jungle Room encourage physical development and social skills. Staff use play-based activities to introduce early literacy and numeracy concepts while maintaining a strong focus on safety and emotional wellbeing.
Preschool Programs
Our preschool provision prepares 3-5 year olds for school through the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. With two dedicated rooms - Kingdom of Castle and Sea-themed - children engage in curriculum-aligned activities that develop independence, creativity and foundational academic skills in preparation for 'big school'.
Flexible Booking
We offer adaptable childcare solutions with full-time (8am-6pm, 5 days/week) and part-time options (1-4 days/week). Half-day sessions available for families requiring more flexibility. Our booking system accommodates changing family needs while maintaining continuity of care for children.
Parent Communication App
Our secure app provides real-time updates on children's daily activities, milestones and development progress. Parents receive immediate notifications about minor incidents and can view photographic evidence of their child's learning journey, ensuring complete transparency and involvement in their child's care.
People
Lesley Dartnell
Nursery Manager
With over 20 years in childcare, Lesley transitioned from legal roles to early years education in 2002. She leads our team with a focus on quality education, staff development, and family partnerships, ensuring each child reaches their potential through interest-led learning.
Jenni Bearfoot
Assistant Manager
Jenni has been with The Gillingham Nursery since its 2011 opening, bringing extensive experience in early childhood development. She supports staff training and curriculum implementation while maintaining the nursery's high standards of care and education.
Questions
What age groups do you accept?
We care for children from 8 weeks to 5 years across six age-specific programs: Babies, Older Infants, Toddlers, Two-Year-Olds, and two Preschool groups.
Are meals provided?
Yes, we provide nutritious meals and snacks following dietary requirements. Our menu includes breakfast, lunch, and tea with options for special dietary needs.
How do you track child development?
We use a secure app to document milestones, share photos, and provide real-time updates aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
All staff are qualified in childcare with regular training updates. The management team holds advanced qualifications and has decades of combined experience.
Is there outdoor play space?
Yes, we have a large garden with planting areas and an indoor sandpit for all-weather play opportunities.
What happens if my child gets sick?
Minor incidents are reported immediately via our app. For more serious issues, we follow strict first-aid protocols and contact parents immediately.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Juliet Jolley
Dec 19, 2021
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My son has been attending Happy Bunnies for the last 2.5 years and he has had a brilliant time. When he started he was in the Baby room and was only just sitting and crawling. The staff supported him with learning to stand and walk, with his eating and in all aspect of his development. Communication is via an app which allows staff to map milestones and development against the early years framework which is great. We also get pictures so that we can see what our children are doing during the day which is lovely to receive when Im at work. The staff take safety and safeguarding very seriously
Natalie Hilton
Jul 31, 2021
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Absolutely fantastic nursery with professional staff members. My daughter has attended Happy Bunnies since she was 3 months old as I needed to return to work. Claire and the team made the transition extremely comfortable for us and I'm grateful for the level of flexibilty of nursery days that we need due to shift patterns. It's a friendly, welcoming nursery and I would 100% recommend it.
Samantha Verrin
Jul 20, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Reliability
My daughter attends this nursery and has come out of her shell and really enjoys coming here. She has made so many friends. The staff and management is very professional.
My daughter attends this nursery and has come out of her shell and really enjoys coming here. She has made so many friends. The staff and management is very professional.
Jennifer O'Reilly
Jul 20, 2021
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I cannot recommend this nursery enough. They are fabulous. My son has been here since 11months old and is due to leave for school in September. They have great contact with between staff and families and I know my son is cared for excellently by all the staff. Best decision we ever made sending him to happy bunnies. They are fab
Shannon Swift
Jul 14, 2021
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My daughter has been attending HB since February and she has enjoyed every moment. I was nervous at first about leaving her for the first time but staff are really friendly and she settled really well. She has really come out of her shell and now doesn't even notice I've left because she knows she is safe and happy. Would definitely recommend!
Nicola Watts
Jul 11, 2021
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My daughter has attended this nursery since she was 8 months old, her development has come on leaps and bounds since she started there. Staff are always happy to accommodate any needs I or she may have and always helpful if any days need rearranging. Good communication about her days there and she always has lots of fun :-)
