Dandara Plants Seeds of Outdoor Learning at Local Nursery

With brighter days on the horizon, children at Saplings Nursery and Pre-School in Hadlow are now enjoying new outdoor play equipment, thanks to a donation from independent housebuilder Dandara. 

Currently building new homes nearby in Tonbridge and Malling, Dandara has supported the nursery in purchasing items including balance bikes and ride-on toys, enriching the setting’s outdoor learning provision. 

Situated on the outskirts of Hadlow village, Saplings Nursery and Pre-School provides a safe and fun environment for children to learn and explore. With a holistic approach to education, Saplings believe every day is a new opportunity to connect with nature, to grow and to build on children’s natural curiosity that will create a life-long love of learning.1 

Dandara’s support for early childhood education reflects the developer’s wider commitment to the Hadlow area. Its upcoming residential development, located on the former Court Lane Nurseries site, will deliver 57 new homes – half of which will be affordable – in a thoughtfully designed setting with green spaces and play areas at its heart. 

To meet the increasing educational needs of Tonbridge and Malling’s growing young population,2 a purpose-built children’s nursery will also be delivered alongside the new homes, improving early childhood education access. 

Alex Dowling, Sales and Marketing Director of Dandara South East, commented: “We are aware of just how paramount early years learning is in Hadlow, as we are presently in the construction process of our own development nursery, which is why we are thrilled to be supporting Saplings Nursery with new outdoor learning equipment. We hope the donation provides great benefits to the children at the nursery as they develop and learn in such an enriching environment.” 

Steph from Saplings Nursery and Pre-School, added: “Our objective at Saplings is to be a bridge between the home and school by providing the highest standards of childcare and education for babies, toddlers and pre-school children. We pride ourselves in outdoor learning, and the new equipment furthers the touch of nature in our teachings. We would like to thank Dandara for their support of our children’s development, which will allow them to completely immerse themselves in the outdoors just in time for the warmer days fast approaching.” 

All homes at the upcoming Hadlow development will include sustainable features such as air source heat pumps and EV charging points, along with two parking spaces per property. The scheme will also deliver £537,000 in Section 106 contributions to enhance local infrastructure and services. 

A show home is due to open in early 2026, with properties launching for sale off-plan from October 2025. 

Located close to the Hadlow Conservation Area, the site benefits from nearby village amenities including a convenience store, café and barbershop, offering an ideal setting for professional families seeking a well-connected rural lifestyle.