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Keepers Gate Forest School

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Sept 2023)
·
5.0(2 parent reviews) ·Field off Wentwood Drive, Weston super Mare, BS24 9ND · North Somerset
Number of places
24 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2023
Local authority
North Somerset

About this day nursery

Keepers Gate Forest School offers children an inspiring environment in Weston-super-Mare, fostering holistic growth through child-centred, outdoor learning experiences. Embracing the Scandinavian open-air culture that inspired the UK Forest School movement in 1993, this school encourages exploration and a deep connection with nature.

Children spend uninterrupted time outdoors, engaging in play, investigation, and supported risk-taking, which cultivates confidence, self-esteem, and resilience. The curriculum seamlessly integrates the six principles of Forest School with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, placing the child at the heart of their learning journey.

This approach ensures each child receives support for their physical, social, emotional well-being, health, and learning. The school values strong connections to family, community, culture, and the natural world, believing that children thrive in enabling environments and positive relationships.

They aim to empower children to become curious, creative, and resilient learners by allowing them to test their abilities, make choices, and find pride in overcoming challenges.

Our ethos

At Keepers Gate Forest School, children are encouraged to explore and connect with nature, fostering a sense of freedom and belonging. They spend uninterrupted time outdoors, playing, investigating, exploring, learning to take risks, making friends, showing curiosity, and building resilience. The school aims to teach children to care for their environment, gain knowledge of the ecosystem, and understand the importance of wildlife for their future. The outdoor environment is considered vital for a child's mental health and well-being, providing an amazing opportunity for children to live and breathe these experiences every day.

What it's like

Children thrive in this exemplary outdoor setting. They quickly become absorbed in activities that encourage creativity and curiosity, investigating natural objects and raw vegetables to invent mud kitchen recipes. The atmosphere is exceptionally nurturing and inclusive, with staff fostering children's self-esteem and pride.

Forest School programmeOutdoor learningChild-led activitiesEYFS curriculum integrated

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

8am to 6pm Monday to Friday term time and during the holidays from 8am to 4.30pm

Age range

4-11 years old (holiday club)

Term time / All Year

Mixed

Established

2021

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Keepers Gate Forest School

Last inspected 21 September 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 thrive in this exemplary outdoor setting. They quickly become absorbed in activities that encourage creativity and curiosity, investigating natural objects and raw vegetables to invent mud kitchen recipes. The atmosphere is exceptionally nurturing and inclusive, with staff fostering children's self-esteem and pride.

Inspector highlights

  • Managers and staff implement high-quality visual group times, using puppets and props to teach children about sharing.
  • Managers provide extensive support for all children and their families, including those who speak English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
  • Staff excel at supporting children to advance their communication and language development.
  • The dedicated managers endeavour to find new ways to improve their already excellent practice, using funding for all staff to complete trauma training and training in autism.
  • Staff report that they are exceedingly happy in their work and feel empowered working alongside the managers, creating a culture of mutual respect where morale is high.
Inspection #10308734 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents are especially praising of the teaching that staff deliver for their children.

Parents share that staff recognise their children as individuals.

They express that they appreciate the regular feedback on their children's progress.

Parents value suggestions for how they can support learning at home.

They report that their children fondly recall exciting experiences they have in the setting and that they sleep better after a day in the setting.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Managers provide extensive support for all children and their families, throughout their time at the setting. This includes children who speak English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Managers work closely in partnership with parents and outside agencies to get children the support they need.

Outdoor space

Children thrive in this exemplary outdoor setting. They quickly develop confidence and their physical abilities to manoeuvre around the terrain as they explore the forest with staff, embracing opportunities to solve problems and take safe risks.

EAL / language support

Managers provide extensive support for all children and their families, throughout their time at the setting. This includes children who speak English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Parent Reviews of Keepers Gate Forest School

5.0
(2)
Astrid Noordermeer
a year ago

Our son absolutely loves attending Keepers Gate Forest School! They offer such a wonderful range of activities, and the outdoor environment is perfect for the children. It's so refreshing for them to spend the entire day immersed in nature. The experiences they offer go beyond what you’d typically find in a regular nursery or preschool. The staff is fantastic—so caring and attentive with the children. We couldn't be happier!

Read on Google
Paul Watkins
7 months ago

Wow what a lovely place for children to be outside

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Keepers Gate Forest School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

21 September 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

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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