Our Nursery
About us
Learn more about what makes us different
Formerly known as Dawn to Dusk Day Nursery Swanley, we are proud to be entering an exciting new chapter as The Birches Nursery. Since becoming part of the Swanley Park community, we have grown into a well-established, welcoming, and nurturing setting for children and families. Our new name reflects not only our beautiful surroundings, but also our vision for the future — creating an inspiring environment where children feel happy, secure, and encouraged to learn, grow, and thrive every day. While our name is changing, our caring ethos and commitment to delivering exceptional childcare remain at the heart of everything we do.
Our purpose-built nursery is located within the beautiful surroundings of Swanley Park, offering a calm and natural environment for children to explore and enjoy. Completed in October 2023, the nursery has been thoughtfully designed to complement the park setting, with warm, natural interiors and high-quality facilities tailored to each stage of a child’s development. From our specially designed baby room to our spacious outdoor garden for learning and play, every area has been carefully created to support curiosity, creativity, and confidence. We welcome children from as young as 3 months through to school age, providing a safe and supportive space throughout their early years journey.
We are open from 7:00am to 6:30pm, offering flexible childcare for busy families. Conveniently located within walking distance of Swanley Railway Station, the local library, fire station, and supermarkets, we regularly enjoy outings within our local community to help children learn about the world around them. We also love planning exciting trips further afield, including visits to farms, beaches, and other enriching experiences. Community, exploration, and outdoor learning are an important part of nursery life at The Birches Nursery.
What makes us different?
Exceptional Outdoor Facilities
Our purpose-built nursery, completed in October 2023, is nestled within the picturesque Swanley Park. We provide beautiful garden spaces tailored for all age groups, allowing children to engage in outdoor learning and play. Additionally, our prime location offers direct access to Swanley Park and the surrounding woodlands, enriching our curriculum with nature-based activities.
Comprehensive Year-Round Care
Understanding the diverse needs of families, we operate from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year, closing only on bank holidays and for one week during Christmas. These extended hours provide parents with the flexibility needed to accommodate work and travel commitments.
Experienced and Dedicated Staff
Our team comprises long-standing staff members, with some having dedicated over a decade to nurturing and educating children at our nursery. This continuity ensures that children benefit from experienced caregivers who are deeply committed to their development.
Commitment to Continuous Professional Development
We are dedicated to the ongoing professional development of our staff, ensuring they have access to the latest resources and training. This commitment enables us to provide engaging and up-to-date learning experiences for the children in our care.
Fresh and Inclusive On-Site Dining
All meals are freshly prepared on-site by our highly trained chef, focusing on healthy, balanced nutrition. We cater to all dietary needs, ensuring every child enjoys delicious and suitable meals during their time with us.
Our Rooms
Seedling Room (3 months+)
Our Seedling Room provides a calm, nurturing space tailored to support babies from 3 months onward. With soft furnishings and age-appropriate sensory and physical play equipment, we focus on building strong attachments, promoting physical development, and encouraging emotional security. Singing and rhymes are a daily feature to support early communication, listening, and language skills. Our practitioners respond to babies’ individual routines, providing a home-from-home environment where babies can explore, thrive, and feel safe.
Saplings & Hazel Rooms (13 months+)
Designed for toddlers from around 13 months, these rooms are buzzing with curiosity and active exploration. We embrace messy play, supporting both gross and fine motor skill development through tactile and hands-on experiences. Practitioners focus on supporting early language development, self-awareness, and social interactions. With plenty of time spent outdoors, toddlers develop physical confidence and explore the world around them, laying the foundations for independence and critical thinking.
Cherrys & Maples Rooms (24–42 months)
Children in these rooms are constantly on the move, mastering new physical skills and becoming confident communicators. This age group thrives on active learning and imaginative play, which we encourage through rich, language-filled interactions and creative activities. We support their growing independence, emotional development, and social understanding. Daily outdoor play is essential for building coordination, resilience, and a strong sense of self.
Sycamore & Oaks Rooms (36 months–5 years)
These rooms focus on school readiness and preparing children for the next stage in their learning journey. We offer a broad curriculum that supports literacy, numeracy, communication, and social-emotional skills through purposeful play and child-led learning. Our environment encourages critical thinking, turn-taking, problem-solving, and a positive sense of self. We work in partnership with families and local schools to ensure a confident transition into Reception.
Forest School Sessions
We are also proud to offer Forest School sessions at the beautiful Swanley Park. These outdoor learning experiences give children the opportunity to build resilience, teamwork, and independence while connecting with the natural world. From den building to exploring local wildlife, Forest School promotes holistic development and nurtures a lifelong love of nature and outdoor play.