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Dunkys Forest School & Nursery at Gullivers World

Ofsted: Strong standard·
5.0(5 Google reviews) ·Gullivers World Ltd, Old Hall, WARRINGTON, WA5 9YZ · Warrington
Number of places
97 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2026
Local authority
Warrington

About this day nursery

Dunkys Forest School & Nursery at Gulliver's World, located in Warrington, offers high-quality, affordable daytime childcare for children aged 0 to 11 years. The day nursery operates 51 weeks a year, from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, providing flexible booking options including full-day, half-day, and school-hours sessions, with the ability to add extra hours or half-hours to create a bespoke package that suits individual family needs.

They pride themselves on offering an all-inclusive service, where nappies, wipes, formula feed, bottles, and all meals are provided, meaning parents only need to bring their child. The day nursery has a strong focus on outdoor learning, particularly through its Forest School provision, which offers children the freedom, creativity, and confidence to thrive in wild woodland environments featuring rain shelters, mud kitchens, and fire circles.

Dunky's also supports various government childcare funding schemes to help families manage childcare costs.

Our ethos

We believe that the use of a local outdoor setting enables our children to return to the same site often so that over time, this familiarity enables freedom, creativity and confidence to thrive.

What it's like

Children explore freely and confidently in this purposeful, enchanting and natural forest school environment. Enthusiastic staff warmly greet the children as they separate with ease from their parents and carers. Children settle quickly into self-chosen activities, showing high levels of curiosity and sustained engagement in their play. Children consistently demonstrate they feel safe, valued, and have a real sense of belonging. Children play happily and make many friends. High-quality learning opportunities capture children's interests and imaginations. Children love to learn and respond enthusiastically to all that is on offer.

Forest SchoolAll-inclusive packagesFlexible bookingGovernment funding acceptedOutdoor learning focus

Pricing & funding

The nursery offers flexible booking options including full-day, half-day, and school-hours sessions, allowing families to tailor childcare to their needs. While standard fees are not listed, the nursery charges nominal fees for meals and consumables (nappies, wipes, etc.) for children utilising free early education hours. These charges are £1.50 for breakfast, £3.50 for lunch, £2.00 for high tea, £1.50 for consumables on a fully funded day, and £0.75 for consumables on a half-day funded session.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • All consumables, including nappies, wipes, Sudocrem, suncream, formula feed, bottles, and all meals, are included in the standard fees.
  • Parents are responsible for reconfirming eligibility codes for funded childcare every three months.
  • Funded hours can be stretched over 51 weeks or used over 38 weeks.
  • Minimum contract period for funded-only places is one academic term.
  • Funded childcare cannot exceed 10 hours in a single day.
  • Funded childcare must not be accessed before 6 am or after 8 pm.

Key facts

Session types

full-day sessions, half-day sessions, school-hours sessions, additional hours and half-hours

Food

All meals and snacks are included in the fees, with charges for funded hours.

Opening hours

7:30 am to 6:00 pm, 51 weeks per year.

Age range

0-11 years

Term time / All Year

All_year

Registered with Ofsted

2024

Waitlist

Not specified

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Strong standard

Last inspected Jun 2026

Headline: Strong standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
—
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementStrong standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingStrong standard
Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceStrong standard
Age range
2 to 7
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted report for Dunkys Forest School & Nursery at Gullivers World

Last inspected 18 June 2026

What it's like to attend

Children explore freely and confidently in this purposeful, enchanting and natural forest school environment. Enthusiastic staff warmly greet the children as they separate with ease from their parents and carers. Children settle quickly into self-chosen activities, showing high levels of curiosity and sustained engagement in their play. Children consistently demonstrate they feel safe, valued, and have a real sense of belonging. Children play happily and make many friends. High-quality learning opportunities capture children's interests and imaginations. Children love to learn and respond enthusiastically to all that is on offer.

Inspector highlights

  • Children make rapid progress from their starting points, developing knowledge and skills for the next stage of learning.
  • Children are confident communicators, expressing ideas through hands-on learning in a natural woodland.
  • Children develop a secure foundation in early mathematics, using number and recognising patterns in meaningful ways.
  • Children build physical strength, navigate the forest terrain, and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning.
  • All children consistently demonstrate highly positive attitudes to learning through well-established routines.
  • Staff support children's wellbeing exceptionally well through warm and attentive care.
  • Children develop increasing confidence in regulating their emotions and managing their feelings.
  • Leaders have thought carefully about what they want all children to learn, shaping learning around children's interests.
  • The curriculum for communication and language is a strength.
  • Leaders and staff know each child's needs well, building strong relationships with children and their families.
  • Leaders use additional funding effectively to reduce barriers to learning for disadvantaged children.
  • Leaders provide a safe and welcoming space, valuing close relationships with parents and carers.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders and those responsible for governance should sustain their work to ensure continued improvement and high standards. They should focus on creating a transformational impact on the outcomes and experiences of all children.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The inclusive curriculum is adapted to meet the needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Leaders and staff plan small and manageable steps for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, working with agencies such as speech and language therapists to review and amend plans. Well-trained, experienced staff use visual prompts, key words and repetition to help children understand routines and express themselves.

Outdoor space

Children explore freely and confidently in this purposeful, enchanting and natural forest school environment, engaging in activities such as cooking in the mud kitchen, hunting for minibeasts, and developing an understanding of risk through outdoor activities.

Google Reviews of Dunkys Forest School & Nursery at Gullivers World

5.0
(5 Google reviews)
Shona Buxton
4 months ago

Absolutely phenomenal setting for children. My lad has thrived since he’s started there. Lauren, Heather & Kayleigh are fantastic & we love the updates. No sickness has been a massive bonus (must be all of that fresh air). In my opinion all nurseries should be forest nurseries

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Natalie Johnson
11 months ago

My daughter absolutely loves attending the forest nursery. Since attending when it opened she has really come on socially, the outside area is amazing and so well equipped with fun activities. We get so many photo updates and crafts brought home. She’s really going to miss the staff when she starts school in Sept, but she will definitely be back for holiday clubs! Highly recommend

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Scrab Cake
a year ago

My 6 year old had a wonderful 3 days this half term. The staff were lovely and she wont stop talking about the activities & fun she has had. A wonderful way to spend the holidays and will be booking again in the future.

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Stephanie Nelson
11 months ago

My son absolutely loves forest school. There’s so much fun things for him to do and it’s all outside in nature! Staff are amazing with bear ❤️

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Jade Poulton
a year ago

Because it deserve it it was very fun week blake

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Dunkys Forest School & Nursery at Gullivers World. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

18 June 2026

Strong standard

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Dunkys Forest School & Nursery at Gullivers World

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more