--- title: "Little Sticks Forest School, Wigan | Ofsted: Outstanding" url: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/little-sticks-forest-school-wn2-1pj-2590642 description: "Little Sticks Forest School, a forest school in Wigan — rated Outstanding by Ofsted. See fees, opening hours, photos and contact details." lang: en-GB --- Nursery Advice: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/ Claim Your Nursery: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/claim # 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 School Outdoor Learning Ofsted Outstanding Child-led Play Two 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-olds 30 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 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: Ofsted View full Ofsted report (https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50229570) ## 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 (https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2tndExYcEJVbXcyVDNCSk5UbDNaalJSTjFObFlYYxAB!2m1!1s0x487b09f40e19a8db:0x8e3609d02b8766ca) 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 (https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUQyZ291dkJnEAE!2m1!1s0x487b09f40e19a8db:0x8e3609d02b8766ca) 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 (https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUQyNHVHMmZ3EAE!2m1!1s0x487b09f40e19a8db:0x8e3609d02b8766ca) 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 (https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUM1aVBfcnVRRRAB!2m1!1s0x487b09f40e19a8db:0x8e3609d02b8766ca) Daniel Lowe 4 years ago Read on Google (https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUQycE9UQjF3RRAB!2m1!1s0x487b09f40e19a8db:0x8e3609d02b8766ca) Reviews from Google for Little Sticks Forest School. See all on Google Maps (https://maps.google.com/?cid=10247388791816283850&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) 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 (https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50229570) ## Frequently asked about Little Sticks Forest School ### What stands out in the latest inspection of Little Sticks Forest School? ### When is Little Sticks Forest School open? ### What curriculum approach does Little Sticks Forest School use? ### Where is Little Sticks Forest School located? ## Nearby day nurseries in Wigan Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Little Sticks Forest School. - Ofsted: Outstanding 0.3 mi ### Little People Day Nursery Aspull Wigan · WN2 1RY https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/little-people-day-nursery-aspull-wn2-1ry-2735304 - Ofsted: Outstanding 0.4 mi ### Aspull Pre-School Wigan · WN2 1XJ https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/aspull-pre-school-wn2-1xj-ey416220 - Ofsted: Good 1.3 mi ### Kids Planet Blackrod Bolton · BL6 5SN 3.9(7 Google reviews) https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/kids-planet-blackrod-bl6-5sn-2683678 - Ofsted: Good 1.4 mi ### Heaton Dene Nursery School Bolton · BL5 3NJ https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/heaton-dene-nursery-school-bl5-3nj-ey546881 - Awaiting first inspection 1.5 mi ### Daisy Daycare Academy Wigan · WN1 3HN https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/daisy-daycare-academy-wn1-3hn-2856287 - Ofsted: Good 1.9 mi ### Busy Bees Day Nursery at Wigan Scholes Wigan · WN1 3QS https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/busy-bees-day-nursery-at-wigan-scholes-wn1-3qs-ey486979 See all nurseries in Wigan →: https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q=Wigan ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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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.\n\nRennie 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.\n\nA 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.", "datePublished": "2025-10-02T19:17:27.241202988Z", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": 5, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cath Beal" }, "reviewBody": "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.\nThe 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.\nWe can't say enough about how amazing little sticks is for our child.", "datePublished": "2022-05-09T19:50:32.534259Z", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": 5, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jamie Flavell" }, "reviewBody": "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!", "datePublished": "2022-05-10T11:03:56.605052Z", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": 5, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Emily Hasson" }, "reviewBody": "The best forest school! Highly recommend to every little child who has the opportunity to go. 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Expectations are consistent, routines run smoothly, and children are supported to recognise and share emotions. Strong emphasis on personal, social and emotional development helps children build confidence, self-control and positive relationships." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is Little Sticks Forest School open?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The setting opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm. It operates for 50 weeks each year, closing for Bank Holidays and for two weeks over the Christmas period." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What curriculum approach does Little Sticks Forest School use?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The setting follows a forest school approach alongside the EYFS curriculum. Its outdoor learning model gives children regular time in nature, with activities built around exploration, environmental care and practical experiences." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where is Little Sticks Forest School located?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Aspull site is on the grounds of Aspull Rugby Club in Wigan, postcode WN2 1PJ. A second site also operates at Greenslate Community Farm in Billinge, Orrell." } } ] } ] } ] ```