Bright Horizons Maidstone Boughton Lane Day Nursery and Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff provide the children with a calm and nurturing environment throughout the setting. Children settle quickly and feel safe and secure as they confidently investigate and explore the resources and activities on offer. For instance, older children excitedly use the real vegetables in the home corner to make meals as they engage in role play. The younger children use their imagination to build models using a variety of boxes, tubes and tape. The staff plan a highly effective curriculum that focuses on the children's interests and next steps in learning. This helps to ensure all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language (EAL), receive the support they need to flourish.

The provider ensures children enjoy a range of nutritious, freshly prepared meals and snacks. Staff understand children's health needs and have secure arrangements in place to accommodate these. For example, food allergies are carefully managed to support children's individual dietary requirements.

Staff are positive role models and have high expectations for behaviour. The children are learning to share. For example, they use a sand timer to help them take turns using the bicycles with friends. Children are kind and developing their independence. They learn about the importance of being physically active and having a healthy lifestyle.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

• The provider places a significant importance on developing children's communication and language skills. Staff engage effectively with children to expand their vocabulary by introducing new words. For example, during science activities, staff discuss terms like 'pipettes' and 'petri dishes' with the older children. All children enthusiastically join in with action songs. They follow instructions and tap along to the beat of the music. Staff provide children with a wealth of opportunities to develop their listening skills.
• The children have a range of experiences to learn about the world around them. For instance, staff take them on walks around the local area to explore. The children carry out litter picking, and staff teach them about the importance of recycling to help take care of the environment.
• The provider has implemented exceptional settling-in procedures that focus on the individual needs of each child and their family. This attention to detail continues as children move through the setting and eventually progress to school.
• Staff consistently use regular assessments to build on children's existing knowledge and skills. They provide a diverse curriculum that has clear learning
• Inspection report: Bright Horizons Maidstone Boughton Lane Day Nursery and Preschool 2 2 September 2025 objectives. For example, children use a range of tools to measure and mix ingredients as they develop their fine motor skills through sensory exploration. However, on occasion, staff do not consistently adapt daily routines and activities to fully support the younger children's enjoyment and enhance their learning further.
• Staff provide the children with a well-sequenced curriculum as they progress through the setting. They work closely with other professionals to implement targeted plans that address any identified gaps in learning. This collaborative approach ensures that all children, including those with SEND and those who speak EAL, receive the support they need. The provider has made effective use of extra funding. For instance, they have purchased more resources to support physical development and enable staff to undertake focused training.
• Parents receive detailed information from staff about their children's experiences at the setting. Staff share updates about children's progress and care routines through in-person discussions and send updates and photos using the children's online monitoring records. The provider has a strong focus on building positive relationships with parents. For example, they arrange focused events such as stay-and-play activities for parents and carers and encourage parents to join the parent forum.
• Staff challenge and extend children's physical skills throughout the day. For instance, they make sure babies have space to crawl around and can access low-level furniture to pull themselves up to standing. This helps babies to strengthen their core muscles in preparation for walking. Older children enthusiastically ride their bicycles and use the large climbing resources in the garden. Staff offer children a multitude of experiences that help to build muscle strength and develop an awareness of how their bodies move in the space around them.
• The provider ensures all staff receive extensive opportunities to complete an array of training. For instance, staff undertake focused training on how to support children to recognise and deal with how they are feeling. Staff support the children to develop a sense of well-being and positive self-esteem as they explore their emotions and acquire their social skills.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• make better use of routines and activities to consistently support the needs and enhance the learning of younger children.
• Inspection report: Bright Horizons Maidstone Boughton Lane Day Nursery and Preschool 3 2 September 2025