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Little Sticks Forest School

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Aug 2023)
·
5.0(5 Google reviews) ·Aspull Rugby Club, Woods Road, Wigan, WN2 1PJ · Wigan
Number of places
15 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2023
Local authority
Wigan

About this day nursery

Little Sticks Forest School offers a unique outdoor learning experience for children aged 24 months and above, with two locations in Wigan: Aspull and Greenslate Community Farm. Established in April 2021, the school is Ofsted-rated "Outstanding" and embraces a child-led approach to learning within a woodland environment.

Children are encouraged to explore, play, and interact with nature, utilising real tools and participating in camp-fire cooking. The curriculum focuses on developing resilience, confidence, and independence, alongside fostering an appreciation for the natural world.

The experienced staff, all Level 3 Forest School Leaders, facilitate learning through engagement, modelling, and questioning rather than structured activities. The school prides itself on low staff-to-child ratios, ensuring individual attention and safety during adventurous outdoor pursuits.

Little Sticks Forest School aims to provide a relaxed and developmentally appropriate educational setting where children can thrive and develop a lifelong love for the outdoors.

Our ethos

Little Sticks Forest School embraces a child-led approach to learning within a woodland environment, encouraging children to explore, play, and interact with nature. The curriculum focuses on developing resilience, confidence, and independence, fostering an appreciation for the natural world. Learning is facilitated through engagement, modelling, and questioning, rather than structured activities.

What it's like

Children excel at the forest school setting and get off to the best possible start in life. Staff know the children exceptionally well and facilitate learning through developing their interests, meaning children feel happy and safe. Children try new things and achieve their own personal goals daily, which builds confidence and resilience.

Forest SchoolOutdoor LearningOfsted OutstandingChild-led PlayTwo Locations

Pricing & funding

Nursery fees are charged per session, with options for full and half days based on an hourly rate. Fees include a voluntary additional charge for Forest School activities to cover specialised staffing, outdoor equipment, and snacks. This additional charge is waived for funded two-year-olds.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Fees include a voluntary Forest School charge covering low ratios, specialised staff, snacks, and equipment.
  • Forest School additional charges are not applied to funded two-year-old sessions.
  • Parents of funded three- and four-year-olds can opt out of the voluntary Forest School charge upon discussion.

Key facts

Session types

Full day (8.00am to 5.00pm), Morning half day (8.00am to 12.30pm), Afternoon half day (12.30pm to 5.00pm)

Opening hours

Monday to Friday 8.00am to 5.00pm

Age range

24 months and upwards

Term time / All Year

Mixed

Registered with Ofsted

2021

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Sticks Forest School

Last inspected 4 August 2023 · Sarah Shearman

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 excel at the forest school setting and get off to the best possible start in life. Staff know the children exceptionally well and facilitate learning through developing their interests, meaning children feel happy and safe. Children try new things and achieve their own personal goals daily, which builds confidence and resilience.

Inspector highlights

  • The setting has a clear, expertly delivered curriculum. They provide activities and opportunities that children find engaging.
  • All staff have equally high expectations of children, which is clear through the effective routines that both the children and staff take part in.
  • Children understand the importance of sharing their emotions. Staff have worked hard to support children with their personal, social and emotional development.
  • Leaders are proactive in their approach and unwavering ambition, continually adapting policies and practice.
  • Staff are highly trained and enthusiastic about their professional development, constantly embedding key vocabulary.
Inspection #10280909 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

parents comment on how they bring this learning home

they explain how staff share experiences with them

Parents feel supported by the staff and happy to leave their children in their care

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Children learn to be highly respectful members of the community by respecting the environment and learning how to keep it clean and tidy. They go litter picking and help to re-open local footpaths that have become overgrown, and now use this space to investigate nature, explore and name plants and develop their learning.

Google Reviews of Little Sticks Forest School

5.0
(5 Google reviews)
Steve Marsh-He
7 months ago

Little Sticks has been the best start we could have hoped for with Rennie and Keer. From day one they have been welcomed with love and patience. Both boys have come home happy, muddy and full of stories every single day. Rennie has turned into the master of spotting things that nobody else notices and asking about a hundred questions before breakfast. Keer has become a professional stick collector, puddle jumper and mud pie chef. We read their reports and felt very proud, but the boys would probably just say they have nailed tree climbing and making sure trousers never come home clean. A huge thank you to Sharon, Amy, Karen and Liza for everything you have done. You have given our boys so much confidence and so many happy memories. We cannot recommend Little Sticks enough to any parent who wants their children to learn, laugh and occasionally bring home half the forest.

Read on Google
Cath Beal
4 years ago

Little sticks forest school provides education that engages my child and he learns something new every day. The experiences and resources they provide are ones that he can't get anywhere else. The staff go above and beyond for the children and their families. The weekly report the family receive is so detailed and seeing photographs of your child learning is wonderful to be able to be a part of their world. We can't say enough about how amazing little sticks is for our child.

Read on Google
Jamie Flavell
4 years ago

This place is the most amazing environment for our little person!! Thank you for everything you do for us! She loves it here and will always tell us what she has been doing during the day. All the Famly app updates are great too, she recalls what she is doing in each picture. Thanks again all!

Read on Google
Emily Hasson
2 years ago

The best forest school! Highly recommend to every little child who has the opportunity to go. The positive impact of being outdoors in nature with the nurturing staff are amazing

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Little Sticks Forest School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

4 August 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