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Little Barn Owls Forest School Nursery

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Jan 2022)
·
5.0(1 parent reviews) ·Easteds Barn, Easteds Lane, Southwater, RH13 9DP · West Sussex
Number of places
52 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2022
Local authority
West Sussex

About this day nursery

Little Barn Owls Forest School Nursery in Southwater caters to children aged 3 months to 5 years, providing full-time day care and a unique forest school experience. Children over three years old regularly participate in their forest school programme, held daily in a private 11-acre forest just a five-minute drive away.

The nursery embraces the Reggio Emilia Approach, a renowned educational philosophy from Northern Italy, fostering enquiring minds through a holistic, hands-on learning environment. Children engage in creative research projects with professional artists in dedicated art studios called Ateliers.

Beyond forest school, the nursery offers excellent facilities including a newly landscaped garden and renovated classrooms within a barn setting. The location also boasts access to a large green playing field and Southwater Country Park for outdoor adventures.

The nursery prioritises high-quality care, teaching and learning, maintaining a high staff-to-child ratio and investing in extensive professional development for its team to ensure a "5-star" service.

Our ethos

Little Barn Owls Forest School Nursery embraces the Reggio Emilia Approach, fostering enquiring minds through a holistic, hands-on learning environment with creative research projects. They integrate a daily forest school programme for children over three years old, held in a private 11-acre forest, to provide unique outdoor learning adventures.

What it's like

Children arrive eager and motivated to discover what exciting opportunities staff have created to start their day at nursery. They exude self-confidence as they explore highly stimulating play environments. Children show exceptional resilience, independence and collaboration skills to test out their play ideas and enquiries.

Forest SchoolReggio Emilia ApproachHigh Staff-to-Child RatioOutdoor Learning

Pricing & funding

Fees include a non-refundable registration fee and a refundable deposit due upon space confirmation. A monthly retainer fee applies if a child's start date is delayed beyond the standard admissions period. No session rates are specified.

Good to know

  • A non-refundable registration fee and a refundable deposit must be paid within 72 hours of confirmation.
  • Payments must be made via BACS.
  • A retainer fee of 10% to 20% of the first month's invoice applies each month to reserve a space for delayed starts.

Key facts

Opening hours

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

Age range

3 months to 5 years old

Established

2018

Waitlist

yes

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Barn Owls Forest School Nursery

Last inspected 28 January 2022 · Sherrie Nyss

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 arrive eager and motivated to discover what exciting opportunities staff have created to start their day at nursery. They exude self-confidence as they explore highly stimulating play environments. Children show exceptional resilience, independence and collaboration skills to test out their play ideas and enquiries.

Inspector highlights

  • The inspirational leaders ensure their passion for exceptional quality care and education is reflected across the nursery and forest school.
  • Staff provide children with opportunities to challenge their thinking skills over a long period of time, allowing for meaningful discoveries and deep connections.
  • Children demonstrate exceptional independence skills, with staff supporting babies and toddlers with hand-eye coordination and older children with self-care tasks.
  • Children quickly recognise how to care for their own hygiene.
  • Staff promote children's physical health exceptionally well and provide outstanding opportunities to develop language skills.
Inspection #10213661 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak highly of the nursery.

Parents comment favourably about how well their children make progress through the inspirational experiences on offer.

Parents comment how staff know their children incredibly well and have very positive relationships.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff plan precisely to ensure that children that need extra help to catch up receive intervention at the earliest opportunity. This supports children to make rapid progress in their learning and development.

Outdoor space

At the base camp during a forest school session, children discuss and practise how to use tools, and use flints and stones to generate sparks to start a fire. Children challenge themselves to tackle rope assault courses and suggest instructions to their friends to accomplish climbing to higher ropes.

Parent Reviews of Little Barn Owls Forest School Nursery

5.0
(1)

Reviews from Google for Little Barn Owls Forest School Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: January 2022

  • March 2022Outstanding
  • January 2022Outstanding

Frequently asked about Little Barn Owls Forest School Nursery

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