Business Details
7 Years
experience
Trusted Child Care & Forest School in Sevenoaks
Broughton Cottage Day Nursery reopened in 2019 under new management, offering a nurturing environment in a historic property surrounded by farmland in Dunton Green. Our setting combines a homely atmosphere with structured early years education, catering to children aged 3 months to school age. With extensive experience in childcare, owners Michelle Aston and John Tomlinson have revitalised the nursery to provide high-quality care and Forest School integration. Our team prioritises individualised attention, outdoor learning, and strong parent partnerships. We maintain strong ties with local communities in Sevenoaks, Knockholt, and Otford, operating near junction 4 of the M25. Our Ofsted-registered service offers flexible hours from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a focus on child-led development and nutritional home-cooked meals.Staff expertise includes Level 4 childcare qualifications and Forest School leadership, ensuring comprehensive early education. We support local initiatives like Sevenoaks Rugby Club while maintaining rigorous safety standards. Parent testimonials consistently highlight our staff's dedication, engaging activities, and seamless settling-in processes. Our facility features extensive outdoor spaces for exploration and learning, complemented by regular progress updates and family engagement events.
Services
Day Nursery
Forest School
Child Care
Early Years Education
Funding Support
Details
- Year established: 2019
Highlights and features
- 29 years' experience in childcare sector with Level 4 qualifications
- Integrated Forest School approach with outdoor learning specialists
- Homely environment with 1:8 staff-to-child ratio
- Ofsted-registered with recent 'Good' inspection reports
- Flexible funding options for 2-4 year olds available
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Loves it
Fantastic staff
Amazing food
Great experience
Lovely outdoor space
Services
Day Nursery
Our day nursery provides full-time and part-time care for children aged 3 months to school age. With a 1:8 staff-to-child ratio, we offer structured learning alongside free play in a homely environment. Our qualified team creates individualised development plans while maintaining strong parent communication through daily updates and formal progress reports.
Forest School
Forest School sessions integrate nature-based education with the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Children engage in supervised outdoor activities that develop risk assessment, teamwork, and environmental awareness. Our woodland learning spaces feature sheltered areas for all-weather exploration and structured programmes led by Level 3 Forest School practitioners.
Early Years Education
Our Early Years Foundation Stage programme combines play-based learning with structured educational activities. Qualified staff deliver individualised learning plans focusing on communication, physical development, and social skills. We incorporate technology through interactive whiteboards while maintaining traditional learning methods like storytelling and creative arts.
Funding Support
We administer government-funded childcare places for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds through the Free for 2 (FF2) and Free Early Education Entitlement (FEEE) schemes. Our management team assists parents with eligibility checks and application processes while offering flexible payment options for additional hours beyond funded entitlement.
Settling In
Our structured settling-in process includes flexible start times, parent orientation sessions, and gradual integration into nursery routines. Key workers provide personalised attention during the initial weeks, supported by daily feedback sessions and photographic updates to ensure parental confidence and child comfort.
People
Michelle Aston
Nursery Manager
Level 4 childcare qualified with 29 years' experience, Michelle leads our team with expertise in Forest School methodology. She previously managed Oaklands Day Nursery and has revitalised Broughton Cottage's educational approach.
John Tomlinson
Co-Owner
With family heritage in early years education through his mother's founding of Oaklands Day Nursery, John brings strategic leadership and operational expertise. He oversees facility development and community partnerships at Broughton Cottage.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We care for children from 3 months old up to school age, with dedicated spaces for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Do you offer flexible hours?
Yes, we operate from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, with flexible session options to accommodate working parents.
Are meals provided?
We serve home-cooked meals using fresh ingredients, with menus designed to meet children's nutritional needs.
How do you support child development?
Our curriculum combines Forest School principles with Early Years Foundation Stage requirements, focusing on individualised learning and outdoor exploration.
What about funding options?
We offer government-funded places for eligible 2, 3, and 4-year-olds, with support for parents navigating the application process.
How are parents kept informed?
We provide daily updates, formal progress reports, and regular parent-teacher meetings to maintain open communication channels.
Reviews (1)
Demowe Demulder
Sep 14, 2020
Report
Awesome environment for the kids and fantastic conversation with John. Looking forward to meeting again.
