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Little Barn Owls, The Orchard

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Aug 2025)
·
5.0(1 parent reviews)
·The Orchard, Cowfold Road, Horsham, RH13 8LY · West Sussex
Number of places
64 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2025
Local authority
West Sussex

About this day nursery

Little Barn Owls offers an enriching early years education experience across multiple locations, including The Orchard in Horsham. Recognised with awards such as The Nursery World Award for Enabling Environments 2024, the nursery group prides itself on its innovative forest and farm school approach.

Their philosophy centres on nurturing confident, caring, and curious children through engaging activities and a strong connection to nature. The Orchard branch is situated on Cowfold Road, West Grinstead, within Horsham, and offers a welcoming environment for young learners.

Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in nursery life, with opportunities spanning parents' evenings, association activities, and workshops. The admissions process is structured on a first-come, first-served basis, with a registration fee and a refundable deposit required to secure a place.

While the primary intake window is from September to January, children can start at other times, potentially incurring a retainer fee. The nursery also offers minimum booking options, often on Mondays and Fridays, and maintains a waiting list for desired start dates or days.

What it's like

From a very young age, children learn to be fully independent and make their own choices, leading to strong concentration and fine motor skills. They show an exceptional understanding of caring for others and relish explaining how they assess risks in their play, demonstrating confidence and ease with challenges in a safe environment.

Forest and farm schoolAward-winningOutdoor learning focusedParental involvement

Pricing & funding

Charges include a registration fee and a refundable deposit payable upon space confirmation. A monthly retainer fee is charged if a child starts outside the standard admissions period. No session or hourly rates are provided.

Good to know

  • Registration fee is non-refundable.
  • Deposit is refundable.
  • Fees must be paid via BACS within 72 hours of space confirmation.
  • A monthly retainer fee applies if starting outside the standard admissions period.

Key facts

Opening hours

each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2023

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Barn Owls, The Orchard

Last inspected 13 August 2025 · Helen Penticost

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding

What it's like to attend

From a very young age, children learn to be fully independent and make their own choices, leading to strong concentration and fine motor skills. They show an exceptional understanding of caring for others and relish explaining how they assess risks in their play, demonstrating confidence and ease with challenges in a safe environment.

Inspector highlights

  • There is a clear and extremely effective leadership hierarchy, which helps the overall daily operations of the setting run smoothly and appear effortless.
  • Leaders demonstrate to staff how to further improve the high-quality interactions with children to extend language.
  • There is an extremely clear and ambitious plan for the curriculum that is exceptionally thought-provoking and challenging for all children.
  • Staff have an extremely in-depth knowledge of not only their key children but all children attending. This enables them to make the most of each and every interaction with children to challenge their learning even further. Staff continually and consistently observe and assess children's development.
  • Partnerships with parents are exceptional.
  • Leaders have a highly effective training programme in place for staff.
  • There are extremely high levels of support for staff's welfare and well-being.
Inspection #10408348 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The extremely clear and ambitious curriculum plan is exceptionally thought-provoking and challenging for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Outdoor space

Children have continual opportunities to take risks in safe surroundings. For example, children learn to climb onto the large tractor tyres showing a clear sequence of skills developed over time. They understand the risks in their play and how to minimise these with confidence and exceptional ease.

Parent Reviews of Little Barn Owls, The Orchard

5.0
(1)
Robert Cocks
9 months ago

This nursery is the epitome of what a nursery should be. Our son absolutely thrived here and the staff all the way through from head office through to on site management & the carers were always fantastic, greeting us with smiles and our son felt so very comfortable here. I highly recommend anyone give these guys a try if you are looking for somewhere for your little people to make their next big change!

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Inspection history

Most recent inspection

13 August 2025

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 Little Barn Owls, The Orchard

About the setting

Little Barn Owls, The Orchard registered in 2023 and is located in West Grinstead, West Sussex. The nursery is open 51 weeks of the year, each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm, and accepts funding for two, three and four-year-olds. It employs 23 staff, with 14 holding relevant early years qualifications, and follows the Reggio Emilia approach to education.

URN
2745026
Registered person
Little Barn Owls Ltd
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises

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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