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Baby Moonbeams Day Nursery

Baby Moonbeams Day Nursery is a pre-school in Sittingbourne for children aged 0 to 4, with 38 registered places. Ofsted report card, 2 July 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met.

The Sittingbourne School, Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne, ME10 4NL

Baby Moonbeams Day Nursery is at The Sittingbourne School.

Key facts

Type
Pre-school (Sessional day care) (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)
Ages
0 to 4 (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)
Registered places
38 (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)
Registered
19 September 2024 (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)

Opening hours

Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 08:00 - 17:00

Source: Ofsted report, inspection on 2 July 2026

Who runs it

Baby Moonbeams Day Nursery is run by Little Moonbeams Day Nursery Ltd (Ofsted register).

Latest inspection

  • Inclusion: Strong standard
  • Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard
  • Achievement: Strong standard
  • Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Strong standard
  • Children's welfare and wellbeing: Strong standard
  • Leadership and governance: Strong standard
  • Safeguarding standards met

Source: Ofsted, inspection on 2 July 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

What it's like to be a child at this setting

Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who face other barriers to their learning, thrive at this warm and welcoming setting. Leaders and staff take time to get to know each child and create a home-from-home environment where children feel safe, relaxed and secure. For example, children are encouraged to wear slippers and bring comforters from home. This helps them to feel comfortable and supports their emotional regulation. Children enjoy a broad and balanced curriculum across the setting. They take part in exciting experiences that help them learn vital life skills. For example, children visit the supermarket to shop for ingredients, bake a variety of dishes and learn how to stay safe when walking near roads. Children develop a strong appreciation for the natural world. They plant flowers and help care for them in the garden area. Children learn the importance of providing enough water and sunlight to help the flowers grow. Staff immerse children in a range of different books about animals, insects and the wider natural world. Children move confidently between the indoor and outdoor areas. They choose activities that interest them and take an active role in their learning. Staff provide a balance of child-led activities and those that are supported by adults. For example, babies are enthralled by the activity 'What's in the box?', which takes place every morning. Staff encourage babies through a familiar song to reach into the box for an unknown object. With support, babies develop their physical development and show an increasing ability to maintain their focus for sustained periods of time. Staff embed routines across the setting, which helps children to develop a sense of belonging. Staff introduce familiar activities every day that spark children's excitement and curiosity. These activities embed high expectations for engagement and behaviour so that children know what is expected of them. Leaders and staff are excellent role models and treat children with kindness and respect. They create a harmonious, caring atmosphere where everyone feels valued. As a result, children learn to be kind, work together and show consideration to others.

Families are warmly welcomed, and leaders and staff support staff to recognise the importance of regular attendance.

What Ofsted found in each area

Inclusion: Strong standard

Leaders have an in-depth and secure knowledge of all children across the setting. They are committed to creating an inclusive environment that ensures that every child receives the support they need to thrive, achieve and belong. Staff meaningfully support every child, and they adapt their practice to meet children's unique needs. For example, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) use climbing equipment in the outdoor area to promote their physical development. Children also have access to a spinning chair, which supports them with their sensory needs and emotional regulation.

Children's development is carefully monitored using a range of extensive tracking tools. This enables emerging needs to be identified and addressed swiftly. Children with SEND benefit from personalised support that is regularly reviewed and adapted to maximise progress. Strong partnerships with parents and carers and external professionals help secure positive outcomes. Parents speak highly of the support they and their children receive and report significant progress in their independence, development and wellbeing.

Leaders work with a range of external professionals and have an unwavering determination to ensure that children receive the support they need. They ensure that children benefit from their full entitlement of additional funding. They consider how it is used so that it is impactful for children's progress and development. For example, they have purchased targeted resources and funded enrichment activities to support children's physical development and social skills.

Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard

Leaders create an ambitious, inclusive curriculum that is accessible to all children. Activities reflect children's interests, developmental needs and prior learning. Staff deliver high-quality teaching across all areas of learning. This creates engaging experiences for children that encourage curiosity, confidence and sustained learning. Staff plan activities to be age and stage appropriate, with a strong focus on developing life skills. These build independence, self-esteem and resilience.

Visits to local parks, supermarkets and community spaces offer invaluable enrichment opportunities. These extend children's learning beyond the setting. Experiences like these help to develop confidence, curiosity and a sense of belonging in their community. These trips occur with the utmost care and attention, with rigorous risk assessments in place to ensure children's safety and enjoyment.

Staff consistently immerse children in a language-rich environment, using familiar stories, rhymes and songs. During activities, they model rich and varied vocabulary. This helps to develop communication and language skills. For example, when describing a monkey, staff use words, such as 'magnificent' and 'rare'.

Since the last inspection, leaders have worked hard on their mathematics curriculum. They provide children with a range of opportunities to explore key mathematical concepts. For example, staff model baking to teach children about quantities. Children are able to count scoops of mud correctly and identify when a container is full or empty.

Achievement: Strong standard

Children are enthusiastic and highly motivated learners. They consistently achieve well and build the skills they need for their next stage of learning. For example, children from a young age develop their independence when managing their personal care and using cutlery at mealtimes. This means they are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make significant progress from their starting points. They are developing effective ways to communicate their needs, build relationships and engage in learning. Children are learning to use visual cues and signs to express their wants and needs. This ensures every child feels valued and listened to.

Children practise important social skills, such as sharing and turn-taking. Targeted activities are used to develop patience and cooperation. Across the setting, children play together with kindness and consideration for others. They show positive attitudes to learning and enjoy working as a team. For example, children explore a range of books together to learn about different animals.

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Strong standard

Leaders embed high expectations of behaviour throughout the setting. Throughout the day, staff use visual prompts to support children's understanding of room routines and expectations to promote an inclusive environment. Staff provide gentle reminders and use positive reinforcement effectively. Children behave beautifully, show kindness to one another and engage collaboratively in their play and learning.

Relationships between staff, leaders and children are highly respectful and nurturing. Staff act as positive role models. They consistently demonstrate calm, courteous interactions that children replicate. Children form deep, trusting bonds with their key person, establishing a secure foundation for learning. They flourish under consistent praise and encouragement, taking visible pride in their milestones. For example, babies who have recently learned to crawl are visibly delighted when staff celebrate and praise them for showing off their new skill. This nurturing environment boosts children's self-esteem and fosters a sense of belonging. Notably, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities thrive through predictable routines and interactions. This enables them to engage in all activities alongside their peers.

Children show consistent and positive attitudes to learning and participate fully in the activities on offer. Established routines provide children with security and familiarity. For example, regular activities take place at the same time every day, creating a consistent and embedded routine that the children relish.

Leaders take active steps to promote and monitor attendance and punctuality. They take prompt action to address barriers to attendance. Leaders clearly explain their attendance and behaviour expectations to parents. This helps families stay engaged and supports positive outcomes for the children.

Children's welfare and wellbeing: Strong standard

Leaders prioritise children's welfare and wellbeing throughout the setting. A harmonious and calm environment makes children feel safe, secure and valued. Staff are vigilant in promoting children's safety and comfort. This is evident during mealtimes, sleep routines and personal care. Leaders ensure that the learning environment is adapted appropriately. They manage room temperatures in the hot weather to ensure children remain comfortable throughout the day. Leaders and staff know the children exceptionally well and have a thorough understanding of their individual needs, particularly those with barriers to their learning. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are developing effective ways to communicate their needs, build relationships and engage in learning. Staff use signs alongside clear, single words, such as 'bubbles', 'nappy' and 'snack', to support understanding. This ensures every child feels valued and listened to while at the setting. Positive relationships between children and staff enable children to feel emotionally secure and confident. Children are treated with dignity and respect. For example, during personal care routines, staff explain what they are doing and seek children's cooperation. This helps them feel valued and respected. Children's health is prioritised and promoted across the setting. Staff use mealtimes to champion healthy eating habits and motivate children to try new foods. Children develop independence by self-serving their own food and drink. Oral health habits are encouraged. Children practise toothbrushing regularly using sets of 'teeth' and sing familiar songs about the importance of a secure toothbrushing routine.

Leadership and governance: Strong standard

Leaders have a secure oversight of the setting. They have a thorough understanding of the needs of the children and families it serves. Leaders show a deep commitment to providing high-quality care and education. Adaptations are made to respond to children's emerging needs. This approach ensures that children remain at the heart of planning and decision-making. Parents and carers speak highly of the support they receive and value the enrichment opportunities that are available for their children. They praise the regular and consistent communication and ideas for learning and support at home. Parents feel fully informed about their children's experiences, learning and development. This has a positive impact on children as parents are able to maintain their learning at home. Parents are also able to mirror routines and strategies, which support children with barriers to their learning. Leaders take steps to further progress the professional development of staff. For example, many have undertaken training on how to support children's emotional regulation. This has a positive impact on how staff support children's changing behavioural needs. Leaders value staff and support them in both their work and welfare. Staff feel confident when approaching leaders with concerns or to ask for further professional development. Leaders are committed to improving their practice and have created a supportive and reflective culture. As a result, staff feel motivated, and children enjoy consistently high-quality care and learning.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

  • Leaders should continue the successful work in striving to close any gaps in achievement for the most disadvantaged children.

Ofsted's words, from the report on the inspection on 2 July 2026. Read the full report on the Ofsted website. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Ofsted report cards (England, from November 2025)

Since 10 November 2025 Ofsted has graded nurseries and pre-schools on a report card. There is no single overall grade. Instead, each of six areas gets one of five grades: Exceptional, Strong standard, Expected standard, Needs attention, Urgent improvement.

The six areas are inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children's welfare and wellbeing; leadership and governance. Safeguarding is judged on its own, as met or not met.

Expected standard means the setting does what Ofsted expects of every setting. Strong standard and Exceptional are above that; Needs attention and Urgent improvement mean Ofsted found things the setting has to put right.

Source: Ofsted reports

Funded childcare hours in England

All 3 and 4 year olds in England can get 15 hours of free childcare a week, for 38 weeks of the year.

Working parents of children aged 9 months to 4 years old can get 30 hours of free childcare a week for 38 weeks of the year (Free Childcare for Working Parents), if they meet the earnings rules. You confirm your details every 3 months.

Some 2 year olds can get 15 hours a week when the family gets certain kinds of extra support.

The hours are used at a registered provider that offers them, so ask each nursery how it offers the funded hours.

Source: GOV.UK: Free Childcare for Working Parents, check if you're eligible · GOV.UK: Free childcare and education for 2 to 4 year olds (checked 31 October 2026)

Other nurseries nearby

  • Stepping Stones - Day nursery, Sittingbourne ME10 3BH, ages 2 to 4, 28 places, 0.4 miles
    Ofsted, 17 March 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Busy Bees Day Nursery at Sittingbourne - Day nursery, Sittingbourne ME10 4SU, ages 0 to 4, 77 places, 0.5 miles
    Ofsted, 2 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Goldilocks Nursery - Day nursery, Sittingbourne ME10 3RU, ages 2 to 4, 69 places, 0.6 miles
    Ofsted, 13 December 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Cedartree Preschool - Pre-school, Sittingbourne ME10 4BX, ages 2 to 2, 20 places, 1.0 miles
    Ofsted report card, 3 December 2025: Strong standard in 1 area, Expected standard in 5 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Wings Nursery - Day nursery, Sittingbourne ME10 3RG, ages 2 to 4, 48 places, 1.0 miles
    Ofsted, 13 December 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective

Schools nearby

Baby Moonbeams Day Nursery on the Ofsted website