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Filthy Squirrels Woodland Nursery

Ofsted: Outstanding
(May 2023)
·The Threshing Barn, Manor Farm, Broad Chalke, Salisbury, SP5 5HT · Wiltshire
Number of places
12 places
Age range
1–5 yrs
Last inspected
May 2023
Local authority
Wiltshire

About this day nursery

Filthy Squirrels Woodland Nursery offers an outdoor educational experience for children aged one and above, set within a private woodland in the Chalke Valley. The nursery focuses on fostering creativity, resilience, and confidence through child-led active learning, where children can explore and engage with nature.

The curriculum challenges traditional indoor education by embracing the outdoors, meaning activities typically confined to a classroom are adapted for the natural environment. Their approach, described as covering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in mud, allows for meaningful learning opportunities across all seven areas of development, utilising the dynamic woodland setting.

The nursery prides itself on building strong relationships with families to understand each child's individual needs and interests, transforming their outdoor play into profound learning experiences with positive encouragement and intuitive guidance. Filthy Squirrels Woodland Nursery was rated 'Outstanding' by OFSTED in May 2023, highlighting its exceptional environment for children's comprehensive development.

Our ethos

Filthy Squirrels Woodland Nursery embraces an outdoor, child-led educational approach inspired by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in a woodland setting. They focus on fostering creativity, resilience, and confidence through active learning and engagement with nature, transforming natural elements into profound learning experiences.

What it's like

Children show immense levels of excitement as they arrive. Highly enthusiastic and nurturing staff welcome them. Children flourish as they embrace the enriching and ambitious curriculum that has their emotional development at its heart.

Outdoor NurseryChild-led LearningForest School EthosOFSTED Outstanding

Pricing & funding

Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Opening hours

8.30am until 5pm, Monday to Friday

Age range

from 1

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2021

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Filthy Squirrels Woodland Nursery

Last inspected 9 May 2023 · Catherine Parker-Johns

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding

What it's like to attend

Children show immense levels of excitement as they arrive. Highly enthusiastic and nurturing staff welcome them. Children flourish as they embrace the enriching and ambitious curriculum that has their emotional development at its heart.

Inspector highlights

  • Children learn to be imaginative with creative staff as their role models.
  • The manager maintains an inspiring setting for all.
  • A sense of belonging among families, children and staff is a priority here.
  • Children are confident communicators and have a thirst to learn.
  • Staff are passionate and committed to continuously advancing their practice.
Inspection #10280950 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

parents report that the setting feels like an 'extended family'.

They share how they delight in receiving information about their children's learning and development in the form of letters addressed to their children.

They share that they feel these are written with genuine kindness and love from staff.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Training in signing has led to the introduction of Makaton and visual aids that all children can use to aid communication and understanding.

Outdoor space

Children's current fascination in bees leads to a hunt for hidden bowls of pretend nectar in the forest. The forest echoes with laughter and happiness as staff play along, pretending to be bees.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

9 May 2023

Outstanding

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 Filthy Squirrels Woodland Nursery

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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