--- title: "Harlequin Forest School — Rated Outstanding by Ofsted" description: "Harlequin Forest School, a nursery in Maidstone — Rated Outstanding by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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See opening hours, fees, photos and contact details on Nursery Advice.", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/#website" }, "about": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/harlequin-forest-school-me17-4na-2691614#nursery" }, "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/harlequin-forest-school-me17-4na-2691614#breadcrumb" }, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", "[data-speakable]" ] } }, { "@type": "ChildCare", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/harlequin-forest-school-me17-4na-2691614#nursery", "name": "Harlequin Forest School", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/harlequin-forest-school-me17-4na-2691614", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressCountry": "GB", "streetAddress": "The Woods", "addressLocality": "Boughton Lane", "postalCode": "ME17 4NA" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/harlequin-forest-school-me17-4na-2691614#webpage" }, "telephone": "01892 518065", "email": "enquiries@hosc.co.uk", "sameAs": [ "http://hosc.co.uk/" ], "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 51.242204, "longitude": 0.535424 }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "City", "name": "Maidstone" } ], "audience": { "@type": "PeopleAudience", "suggestedMinAge": 2, "suggestedMaxAge": 4 }, "award": "Ofsted: Outstanding", "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": 5, "reviewCount": 1, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": 5, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alec Cole" }, "reviewBody": "fantasy patrol", "datePublished": "2025-05-26T22:33:28.758350Z", "inLanguage": "en" } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/harlequin-forest-school-me17-4na-2691614#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Nurseries", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nurseries" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "South East", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?region=South%20East" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Harlequin Forest School", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/harlequin-forest-school-me17-4na-2691614" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/harlequin-forest-school-me17-4na-2691614#faq", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is Harlequin Forest School's Ofsted rating?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Harlequin Forest School proudly holds an 'Outstanding' rating from its Ofsted inspection on December 16, 2024. This reflects the high quality of care and education provided at the nursery, ensuring children receive the very best start." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do payments work at Harlequin Forest School?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Harlequin Forest School keeps things straightforward when it comes to fees. You only pay for the sessions your child attends, as the nursery states, \"While Harlequin you only pay for the session you book.\"" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Harlequin Forest School accept funded hours?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, Harlequin Forest School accepts Tax-Free Childcare, which can help eligible families with the cost of childcare. The pre-school also operates funded sessions during term time, from 8:45 am to 3:00 pm." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the opening hours for Harlequin Forest School?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Harlequin Forest School is open from 7:15 am to 6:30 pm every weekday, excluding bank holidays. However, the pre-school itself operates during term time from 8:45 am to 3:00 pm, with options for children to attend breakfast and after-school sessions." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What age range does Harlequin Forest School cater for?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Harlequin Forest School provides comprehensive childcare for children aged 2 to 12 years across its various settings. The pre-school specifically caters for children aged 2-4 years, offering a nurturing and stimulating environment for their development." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What makes Harlequin Forest School unique?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Harlequin Forest School distinguishes itself by providing \"extensive forest school experiences for both holiday club and pre-school children,\" aiming to equip them with unique skills and social interactions. They also extend traditional forest school services to local schools and offer specialized forest sessions for adolescents." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Harlequin Forest School support children with special educational needs?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Harlequin Forest School provides expertly tailored support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The staff at Harlequin Forest School work seamlessly with parents and external professionals to achieve the best possible outcomes for all children." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Harlequin Forest School communicate with parents?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Harlequin Forest School uses the Famly app for all communications, bookings, and assessments. This ensures a streamlined and paper-free experience for parents, making it easy to stay updated on their child's progress and nursery information." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I contact Harlequin Forest School directly?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, you can easily get in touch with Harlequin Forest School. You can reach them by phone at 01892 518065, or send an email to enquiries@hosc.co.uk. More information is also available on their website, hosc.co.uk." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [South East](/search?region=South+East) 4. Harlequin Forest School # Harlequin Forest School Compare Contact Nursery Ofsted: Outstanding (Dec 2024) · 5.0 (1 parent reviews) · The Woods, Boughton Lane, Maidstone, ME17 4NA · Kent Number of places 15 places Age range 2–4 yrs Last inspected Dec 2024 Local authority Kent About - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - Reviews - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [Reviews](#reviews) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## About this day nursery Harlequin Forest School offers comprehensive childcare services for children aged 2 to 12 years across various settings in mid and west Kent, including Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells. The nursery prides itself on providing a nurturing and stimulating environment where children feel secure, happy, and supported, regardless of their age or ability. They offer a diverse range of programmes, including pre-school, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, holiday clubs, and specialised forest education sessions. The pre-school operates during term time from 8:45 am to 3:00 pm, with funded sessions available. Additionally, pre-school children have the option to attend breakfast and after-school sessions. Harlequin Forest School distinguishes itself by providing extensive forest school experiences for both holiday club and pre-school children, aiming to equip them with unique skills and social interactions often missed in conventional schooling. They also extend traditional forest school services to local schools and offer police-supported specialised forest sessions for adolescents, designed to divert them from crime. The nursery emphasises a unique approach that caters to the social, physical, and emotional needs of each child, fostering quality care within a happy, safe, and fun environment for both children and staff. The setting utilises the Famly app for all communications, bookings, and assessments, ensuring a streamlined and paper-free experience for parents. Our ethos We are a small childcare company with a passion for providing really good childcare and environment where children feel included, happy and supported whatever their age or ability. We believe, because it was true for us, that parents can only really settle when they know that their child is happy and safe. Harlequin’s unique approach fulfils the social, physical and emotional needs of each child as an individual by providing quality care in a happy, safe and fun environment for all children and staff. What it's like Children flourish at this unique and special setting, enjoying freedom and independence within the forest boundaries and investigating with confidence and enthusiasm. Staff plan an enticing curriculum with activities that embrace children's unique interests, leading to sustained attention and productive, purposeful play. Forest School Outstanding Ofsted Rating Wrap-around Care Holiday Club Famly App ## Pricing & funding Funding accepted Tax-Free Childcare Pricing on request This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability. ## Key facts Opening hours 7:15am - 6:30pm every weekday except bank holidays Session types full day, morning session, afternoon session Waitlist No waitlist mentioned. Parents can book regular or ad-hoc sessions. Age range 2-12 years old Term time / All Year Term Time ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Harlequin Forest School Inspection date Dec 2024 Inspection no. 10360177 Safeguarding arrangements are effective [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50266010)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2691614) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Reveal phone number Contact Nursery [ Visit website ](http://hosc.co.uk/) The Woods, Boughton Lane, Maidstone, ME17 4NA Opening hours 7:15am - 6:30pm every weekday except bank holidays [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/0.53542/51.2422/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Maidstone - [Day nurseries in Maidstone](/search?q=Maidstone) - [Day nurseries in South East](/search?q=South+East) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=harlequin-forest-school-me17-4na-2691614) Ofsted Inspection ## Ofsted rating for Harlequin Forest School Last inspected 16 December 2024 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 flourish at this unique and special setting, enjoying freedom and independence within the forest boundaries and investigating with confidence and enthusiasm. Staff plan an enticing curriculum with activities that embrace children's unique interests, leading to sustained attention and productive, purposeful play. Inspector highlights - Staff expertly deliver a curriculum centred on exploration and discovery in the beautiful surroundings. - Staff help children to become respectful of their own background and that of others, openly celebrating differences and discussing them. - Staff use language with children that deliberately broadens their vocabulary and helps them to learn the correct names for the natural environment. - Staff expertly weave frequent mathematical language into their interactions with children. - The provider models excellent practice to staff, and staff feel valued and proud of their work. Inspection #10360177 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50266010) ## What parents say Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection > made progress in 'leaps and bounds' > feel that their children are thriving as a result of their attendance at this distinctive and individual setting Inclusion & environment ## How they support every child SEND provision Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive expertly tailored support. Staff work seamlessly with parents and external professionals to provide the very best outcomes for children. Outdoor space Children enjoy freedom and independence within the boundaries of the forest and investigate with confidence and enthusiasm. Staff expertly deliver a curriculum that is centred on exploration and discovery in the beautiful surroundings, and children know the landmarks and can explain how the environment evolves with the seasons. ## Parent Reviews of Harlequin Forest School 5.0 (1) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjXpez06y26VK4j2hacHP_bl4sH5iFPkPHskYAZN86laij5z7Twk=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo-ba6) Alec Cole 12 months ago fantasy patrol [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJMnF4WWpJenRUWGJ3EAE!2m1!1s0x47df314990227b8f:0x450da74c57ab4f42) Reviews from Google for Harlequin Forest School. [See all on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=4975817109644463938&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) Inspection history Most recent inspection 16 December 2024 Outstanding Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published. [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50266010) ## Frequently asked about Harlequin Forest School ### What is Harlequin Forest School's Ofsted rating? ### How do payments work at Harlequin Forest School? ### Does Harlequin Forest School accept funded hours? ### What are the opening hours for Harlequin Forest School? ### What age range does Harlequin Forest School cater for? ### What makes Harlequin Forest School unique? ### How does Harlequin Forest School support children with special educational needs? ### How does Harlequin Forest School communicate with parents? ### Can I contact Harlequin Forest School directly? ## About the setting Harlequins Forest School registered in 2022 and is based in Boughton Monchelsea, Kent. Children visit the forest school from their main setting in nearby Coxheath, which opens from 7.15am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, in term time only. The setting employs eight members of childcare staff, seven of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. Additionally, the forest school runs a holiday club and provides funded childcare places for eligible children. URN 2691614 Registered person Harlequin Out Of School Clubs Ltd Day care type Full day care Register Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Establishment type Childcare on non-domestic premises Previous rating Not applicable ## Nearby day nurseries in Maidstone Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Harlequin Forest School. - [ Ofsted: Good 0.4 mi ### Tiger Cubs Day Nursery Maidstone · ME15 9QL ](/nursery/tiger-cubs-day-nursery-me15-9ql-ey411555) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.5 mi ### Bright Horizons Maidstone Boughton Lane Day Nursery and Preschool Maidstone · ME15 9QF 4.4(8 reviews) ](/nursery/bright-horizons-maidstone-boughton-lane-day-nursery-and-preschool-me15-9qf-ey302109) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.7 mi ### Brishing Barn Nursery Maidstone · ME17 4NF 5.0(8 reviews) ](/nursery/brishing-barn-nursery-ltd-me17-4nf-ey418865) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.0 mi ### Junior's Day Nursery Maidstone · ME17 4JD ](/nursery/junior-s-day-nursery-me17-4jd-2667123) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.5 mi ### Smarties Nursery Maidstone · ME15 6TL ](/nursery/smarties-nursery-me15-6tl-2502387) - [ Ofsted: Outstanding 1.8 mi ### Harlequin Out of School Clubs - Coxheath Maidstone · ME17 4PS ](/nursery/harlequin-out-of-school-clubs-coxheath-me17-4ps-ey333465) [See all nurseries in Maidstone →](/search?q=Maidstone) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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