Gillingham, Kent
A Safe, Caring & Stimulating Start for Your Child
Flexible Day Nursery, Pre-School & Crèche in Gillingham for children aged birth to 5 years. Located inside Everlast+ Gym with flexible hours and 51 weeks of care.
- GOOD OFSTED Rating (2023)
- Mon–Fri, 7am – 7pm (51 Weeks of the Year)
- Accredited Healthy Food & Nutrition Setting
- Government Funded Spaces (9 Months To 4 Years)
Flexible Hours
7am to 7pm, full days, flexi-hours, and drop-off crèche options.
Qualified Staff
NVQ Level 3 standard, Paediatric First Aid trained & fully DBS checked.
ClassDojo & Updates
Online communication app for under 2s, plus daily verbal handovers & termly reports for over 2s.
Outdoor Adventure
Dedicated outdoor play area complete with an all-weather cover and a pirate ship!
Started by Mums, Built for Families
1st Friends Nursery began in 2002, founded by two mums who wanted something better than the childcare options available at the time. Their vision was simple: create a place where children feel safe, valued and inspired every day.
In 2012, we expanded by opening our second nursery within Roko Health Club in Gillingham - now Everlast+ Gyms. This setting offers families flexible hours, a choice of days, and a convenient drop-off crèche facility to support busy routines.
Over the years, we have continued to grow while staying true to what matters most: a warm, friendly environment where children and families feel part of our community. Building strong, trusting relationships with parents and carers has always been at the heart of who we are.
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide a safe, stimulating and effective environment where children thrive. We believe that excellent, inspirational teaching has the power to shape children's futures, helping them develop confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.
Everything we do is designed to support children in achieving their full potential - socially, emotionally, physically and academically.
Fueling Healthy Minds & Bodies
We are proud participants in Medway's Food and Nutrition Support Programme for Childcare Settings (delivered by the Children's Food Trust).
Our staff are accredited in nutrition to encourage children to build positive, healthy eating habits.
Meals & Funding
Meals are optional under new government funding rules. Parents may choose not to take our meal package; however, we cannot store or refrigerate packed lunches due to food safety regulations.
If you opt out of meals, your child we need to leave the nursery and return afterwards, as we cannot hold or serve food, brought from home.
Our balanced lunch and pudding is freshly prepared and delivered by Zebedee's.
Daily Meal Times
- Healthy Breakfast7am – 8am£2.00
- Nutritious Snack9am-9.30am£2.00
- Balanced Lunch & Pudding11.30am£6.00
- Tea & Fruit4pm£2.00
Sessions & Fees
Clear, transparent pricing with funded options for every family.
The session times shown are examples, not fixed slots. If you need different hours, please speak to the manager — we will always try to work with you to make it fit your family. The funded-hour window is set for both 15 and 30 hour entitlements.
Hourly Rate
£12
per hour
Full Day Pricing
Unfunded Full Day (7am – 7pm)
£90
- Childcare
- £78
- Food
- £12
Includes: Breakfast, snack, lunch, tea
Funded Full Day (7am – 7pm)
£84
- Childcare
- £72
- Food
- £12
Includes: Breakfast, snack, lunch, tea
30 Hours Funding
The times below are examples of how the 30 funded hours can be used — talk to us if you’d like a different pattern.
Full Day (7:00 – 7:00)
£84
- Childcare
- £72
- Food
- £12
Includes: Breakfast, snack, lunch, tea
8:30 – 5:30 (9 Hours)
£46
- Childcare
- £36
- Food
- £10
Includes: Snack, lunch, tea
11:30 – 5:30 (6 Hours)
£8
- Childcare
- £0
- Food
- £8
Includes: Lunch, tea
School Holiday Top-Up
If your funded hours are not stretched across the year, our standard daily rate of £90 per day applies during school holidays — and that includes food.
15 Hours Funding
The session below is one example of how the 15 funded hours can be used — we’re happy to discuss a pattern that suits you. Session: 8:00am – 2:00pm (6 hours total) · 5 funded + 1 unfunded hour.
8:00 – 2:00 (6 Hours)
£20
- Childcare
- £12
- Food
- £8
Includes: Snack (9am), Lunch (11:30)
Deposits & Payment
- A £50 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your child’s place.
- Fees are payable monthly in advance and due by the 1st of each month.
- A minimum of 4 weeks’ notice is required for any changes to sessions.
- We do not offer swaps for missed days, including holidays and sickness.
Come and See Us
We have an open-door policy, so you’re welcome to drop in for a show-around between 8:30am–11am or 2pm–3:30pm. These windows help us avoid mealtimes and sleep times.
Our Mission Statement
The importance of the pre-school years for a child's later development is widely recognised. Children at 1st Friends Day Nursery will be encouraged to develop their own personalities and acquire the knowledge and skills that will be of value to them in the next phase of their formal education. It is our objective to help children in our care reach their full mental and physical potential. We aim to do this by:
Visit Us in Gillingham, Kent
Come and see our rooms, meet the team, and ask us anything.
Our Location
1st Friends Day Nursery, C/O Everlast+ Gym, Off Will Adams Way, Watling Street, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 6BYInside Everlast+ Gym with convenient parking for drop-offs & pick-ups.
Get in Touch
- 07423 379590
- friends_1st@yahoo.com
- Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (51 Weeks of the Year)