--- title: "Barn Owls Nursery, Dorchester | Ofsted: Good | Fees" url: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/barn-owls-nursery-dt2-0hg-ey361933 description: "Barn Owls Nursery in Dorchester — rated Good by Ofsted. See fees, opening hours, photos and contact details. Compare nearby nurseries." lang: en-GB --- Nursery Advice: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/ Claim Your Nursery: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/claim # Barn Owls Nursery Ofsted: Good (Aug 2024) · Barnhayes Farm, Frome St. Quintin, Dorchester, DT2 0HG · Dorset Number of places 30 places Age range 1–4 yrs Last inspected Aug 2024 Local authority Dorset ## About this day nursery Barn Owls Nursery, situated in the beautiful countryside of Frome St. Quintin, Dorset, offers a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 8 months to 5 years. The day nursery focuses on fostering a sense of freedom and exploration, encouraging children to engage with their surroundings and develop at their own pace. A key feature is their expansive outdoor area, equipped with "loose parts" like tyres and cable reels, and an "infamous mud pit" that transforms with the seasons, providing endless possibilities for imaginative play. The day nursery emphasises the importance of outdoor play for a child's overall development, with children spending a majority of their day outside. Sibling integration is encouraged, creating a warm, family-like atmosphere. The nursery prioritises strong parent-nursery relationships, utilising online learning journals and regular communication. All staff are qualified or actively training, ensuring high-quality care and education aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Our ethos Barn Owls Nursery's ethos is centred on fostering freedom and exploration, with a strong emphasis on outdoor, imaginative play using natural and "loose parts" materials, inspired by the EYFS framework. They believe in allowing children to develop at their own pace in a nurturing, family-like environment that prioritises parent partnerships. What it's like Children are happy and feel they belong to a community of learners. They form close, trusting relationships with staff who make them feel safe and secure. Babies, young and older children play and learn alongside one another, fostering a nurturing environment. Staff support children in growing in confidence and independence, entrusting them with responsibilities and encouraging mutual respect. Emphasis on Outdoor Play Mud Kitchen Family-like Atmosphere Child-Initiated Play ## Pricing & funding Funding accepted 15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds 15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs) Pricing on request This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability. Request pricing → (https://www.barn-owls-nursery.co.uk/#contactform) ## Key facts Food All meals are provided. Snack time includes fruit and milk/water. Lunch is a 2-course meal, freshly cooked on premises. Afternoon tea is a hearty snack. Special dietary needs are catered for. Opening hours 8am-6pm Mon to Fri for 51 weeks of the year (excluding Bank Holidays) Session types full day care, sessional care, 9am-1pm, 1pm-5pm Age range 8 months - 5 years Term time / All Year All Year Registered with Ofsted 2007 Ofsted Inspection ## Ofsted rating for Barn Owls Nursery Last inspected 28 August 2024 · Jonathan Payne Safeguarding effective Overall effectiveness Good Quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good What it's like to attend Inspector highlights - Leaders have developed a cohesive curriculum that sequentially builds children's confidence and communication skills. - Leaders and staff are good at supporting children's emotional well-being. - Leaders and staff know children well and accurately assess their starting points. - Staff model language well and engage children in imaginative play. - Leaders and staff have developed good partnerships with parents. Areas to develop - 1 support staff to use questioning more effectively to consistently extend and deepen children's thinking and learning. Inspection #10354783 · Source: Ofsted View full Ofsted report (https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50259705) Inclusion & environment ## How they support every child SEND provision Leaders and staff know children well. They accurately assess children's starting points and are aware of the necessary steps to support their individual development, especially for those with identified special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. Outdoor space Children benefit from spending much of their time in the outdoor environment. They are physically active and routinely build strength and precision in the control of their bodies as they balance, climb, crawl and build throughout the day. Children use clipboards placed around the outdoor area to write, draw and make marks, creating treasure maps and digging in the sandpit. Inspection history Date: November 2014 - August 2024 Good - November 2018 Good - April 2018 Inadequate - November 2014 Good ## Frequently asked about Barn Owls Nursery ### Is Barn Owls Nursery a good nursery? ### What is Barn Owls Nursery's Ofsted rating? ### How much does Barn Owls Nursery cost? ### Does Barn Owls Nursery accept 15 or 30 hours of free childcare? ### Does Barn Owls Nursery take 9-month-old funded places for working parents? ### Does Barn Owls Nursery take 2-year-old funded places? ### What are Barn Owls Nursery's opening hours? ### What age range does Barn Owls Nursery accept? ### Does Barn Owls Nursery have outdoor space? ### How does Barn Owls Nursery support children with SEND? ### What do parents say about Barn Owls Nursery? ### How do I contact Barn Owls Nursery or arrange a visit? ## Nearby day nurseries in Dorchester Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Barn Owls Nursery. - Ofsted: Outstanding 1.8 mi ### Little Acorns Playgroup Dorchester · DT2 0JY https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/little-acorns-playgroup-dt2-0jy-ey281575 - Ofsted: Good 3.0 mi ### Maiden Newton Childcare Provision Dorchester · DT2 0AX https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/maiden-newton-childcare-provision-dt2-0ax-ey493345 - Ofsted rating unavailable 5.1 mi ### Lower Covey Sherborne · DT9 6LJ https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/lower-covey-limited-dt9-6lj-2836189 - Ofsted report unavailable 6.5 mi ### Leweston School Sherborne · DT9 6EN https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/leweston-school-dt9-6en-ey308762 - Ofsted: Good 7.6 mi ### East Coker Playgroup Yeovil · BA22 9LQ https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/east-coker-playgroup-ba22-9lq-507986 - Ofsted: Outstanding 8.0 mi ### Charminster Preschool Dorchester · DT2 9RD https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/charminster-preschool-dt2-9rd-ey337568 See all nurseries in Dorchester →: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q=Dorchester ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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The nursery focuses on fostering a sense of freedom and exploration, encouraging children to engage with their surroundings and develop at their own pace, supported by qualified staff." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is Barn Owls Nursery's Ofsted rating?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Barn Owls Nursery received a rating of 'Good' in its most recent Ofsted inspection, which took place on 28/08/2024. This reflects the nursery's commitment to high-quality care and education for all children." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much does Barn Owls Nursery cost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "This information isn't published - contact the nursery directly to ask." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Barn Owls Nursery accept 15 or 30 hours of free childcare?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Barn Owls Nursery accepts 15 hours of free childcare for disadvantaged two-year-olds and 15 hours universal funding for three to four-year-olds. Please contact Barn Owls Nursery for more details on eligibility and how these funding options can benefit your child." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Barn Owls Nursery take 9-month-old funded places for working parents?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "This information isn't published - contact the nursery directly to ask." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Barn Owls Nursery take 2-year-old funded places?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Barn Owls Nursery accepts 15 hours of free childcare for disadvantaged two-year-olds. This funding helps support eligible families with the cost of childcare, providing a nurturing environment for their children to thrive." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are Barn Owls Nursery's opening hours?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Barn Owls Nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm. The nursery operates all-year, providing consistent childcare throughout the year for families requiring it." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What age range does Barn Owls Nursery accept?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Barn Owls Nursery accepts children aged from 1 to 4 years old. They provide a nurturing and stimulating environment that caters to the developmental needs of children within this age range." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Barn Owls Nursery have outdoor space?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, Barn Owls Nursery has an expansive outdoor area where children spend much of their time. They are physically active, building strength and precision as they balance, climb, crawl, and build. There are also clipboards for writing and drawing." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Barn Owls Nursery support children with SEND?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Barn Owls Nursery's leaders and staff know children well, accurately assessing their starting points and understanding the steps needed to support individual development, especially for children with identified special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The special educational needs coordinator provides dedicated support." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What do parents say about Barn Owls Nursery?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Parents consistently highlight the strong relationships developed between children and staff at Barn Owls Nursery. They appreciate how staff support children in growing in confidence and independence, fostering a warm and respectful environment. This creates a secure and happy setting for every child." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I contact Barn Owls Nursery or arrange a visit?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You can contact Barn Owls Nursery by phone at 01935 83177 to arrange a visit or discuss any queries you may have. Further information is available on their website at https://www.barn-owls-nursery.co.uk." } } ] } ] } ] ```