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Great And Small Kindergarten

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Sept 2022)
·
5.0(6 parent reviews) ·Rishton Road, Clayton Le Moors, BB5 5PN · Lancashire
Number of places
36 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2022
Local authority
Lancashire

About this day nursery

Great and Small Kindergarten and Forest School, founded in 2015, provides childcare across two distinguishing settings: a kindergarten and a forest school, both recognised as "Outstanding" by Ofsted. The service is dedicated to offering children the freedom to play, explore, investigate, learn, and thrive.

The educational philosophy is deeply inspired by the Forest School approach, a concept originating from the USA and Scandinavia and brought to the UK in 1995. This approach emphasises hands-on learning in a woodland environment, fostering confidence and self-esteem.

The curriculum is designed to encourage children to lead their own play, follow their interests, and learn about their world, community, and cultures, as well as themselves and others. Both settings boast excellent outdoor spaces, with the kindergarten featuring a charming garden and playground, and the forest school offering access to beautiful private woodlands.

The overarching aim is to instil a love and respect for nature, self, and others, while also developing strong communication and relationships with parents to ensure the best possible start for each child. The teaching approach incorporates open-ended, natural, and recycled resources, promoting sustainability and environmental care.

Our ethos

Great and Small Kindergarten and Forest School's educational philosophy is deeply inspired by the Forest School approach, emphasising hands-on learning in a woodland environment. They are committed to fostering children's confidence and self-esteem by encouraging them to lead their own play, follow their interests, and learn about the world around them. The teaching approach incorporates open-ended, natural, and recycled resources to promote sustainability and environmental care, aiming to instil a love and respect for nature, self, and others.

What it's like

Children feel extremely loved and valued by staff who constantly take their feelings into account. This instils a strong sense of safety and security, enabling children to explore their surroundings with confidence and curiosity. The well-organised environment offers a wealth of exciting learning opportunities, sparking imagination and creativity, as children embark on learning journeys and make happy play discoveries.

Forest School EthosOfsted OutstandingOutdoor Focused LearningTerm-time onlyAccepts Funding Schemes

Pricing & funding

Kindergarten fees are structured by age band, with separate rates for two to three-year-olds and three to five-year-olds. Sessions are offered in three, six, or seven and a half hour blocks. Forest school locations offer specialised daily rates, funded bundles including campfire meals, and specific individual session rates.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-oldsTax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Forest school packages for funded places include a woodland care package and campfire cooked lunch and snacks.
  • Forest school sessions run on specific days, with individual daily and half-day options available.

Key facts

Opening hours

Term time only, 38-39 weeks a year.

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2018

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Great And Small Kindergarten

Last inspected 14 September 2022

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 feel extremely loved and valued by staff who constantly take their feelings into account. This instils a strong sense of safety and security, enabling children to explore their surroundings with confidence and curiosity. The well-organised environment offers a wealth of exciting learning opportunities, sparking imagination and creativity, as children embark on learning journeys and make happy play discoveries.

Inspector highlights

  • The learning environment is organised skilfully, with resources that encourage children to use their imagination and pursue their own interests enthusiastically.
  • Staff expertly model a rich range of language, allowing children to deepen their understanding of key concepts essential for learning.
  • A love of books is promoted throughout the setting with strategically placed books and inviting, cosy corners for reading.
  • Children who speak English as an additional language and their families are extremely well supported through skilful interventions.
  • The manager is inspirational in her pursuit to develop an exceptionally ambitious curriculum, with an excellent understanding of the needs of children and families.
Inspection #10194333 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents remark on the impressive progress their children have made in such a short space of time.

They praise the staff for offering tremendous support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They comment how staff reduced the isolation they experienced during this time.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff have developed highly efficient processes for identifying and responding to any concerns regarding children's development. They have developed strong links with outside professionals and ensure that children receive additional support very early on. This means that all children make exceptional progress in relation to their starting points, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Outdoor space

The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, both indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation of an outdoor activity.

Parent Reviews of Great And Small Kindergarten

5.0
(6)
Olivia Lakin
2 years ago

My 3 year old has attended great and small for over a year and absolutely loves it. She was very hesitant and shy at first and it took her a good few months to become familiar with the setting and the staff but they’re all brill and she thoroughly enjoys her time there.

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erin Haworth
5 years ago

This nursery is just amazing, I can't tell you enough! My little girl followed in her brothers footsteps at a lovely nursery that he loved but she just wasn't happy and wasn't thriving like I had imagined, then I came across this little gem! We went for a look around and I just knew it was the one for her, so we moved her. The staff were lovely, friendly and approachable and the nursery was always full of fun. They allow the children to be free and encourage outdoor play in all weathers and my little girl came on so much whilst attending here. She came out of her shell and made friends, something which before she had struggled with. The nursery got her ready for school despite being the baby of the year and she started no further behind than the eldest children! She was always happy to go, often asking to attend on days she was not down for because she enjoyed it that much. There was forever a smile on her face when she was there, I couldn't of been a happier Mum!

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Stephanie Freeman
5 years ago

My daughter has been going to this nursery over a year now and she absolutely loves it. The staff are fantastic, they keep me updated on what my daughter has been upto and how she has progressed.

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Ruth Campbell
5 years ago

Excellent child care facility. Highly recommend.

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Reviews from Google for Great And Small Kindergarten. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

14 September 2022

Outstanding

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

View full Ofsted report

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