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Muddy Boots

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Jun 2021)
·Buck House, Chircombe Lane, Bideford, EX39 2RQ · Devon
Number of places
24 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2021
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

Muddy Boots Pre-school offers a unique learning environment, nestled in the woodlands by the River Torridge. This outdoor-focused nursery believes in immersing children in nature, using the natural world to spark imagination, wonder, and curiosity.

Highly skilled practitioners and forest school leaders guide children through a bespoke curriculum, observing and interacting with their interests as they explore their surroundings. The preschool operates from a purpose-built cabin within the "enchanted woodland" of Chircombe House in Bideford, utilising the surrounding woodland, fields, and shoreline, as well as the extensive grounds of Chircombe.

Muddy Boots provides funded day care during term time from 9 am to 3 pm for children aged 2-8, and also runs holiday clubs and before and after-school care. The nursery emphasises the importance of teaching children about the natural world, aiming to cultivate skilled, curious learners ready to engage with the world around them.

Our ethos

Muddy Boots Pre-school is an outdoor-focused nursery that believes in immersing children in nature, using the natural world to spark imagination, wonder, and curiosity. They aim to cultivate skilled, curious learners by teaching children about the natural world.

What it's like

Children flourish and thrive in the highly stimulating and enriching learning environments. They have very positive relationships with staff and have secure attachments with their key persons. Staff expertly nurture and support children's emotional well-being so that they become confident and independent.

Forest SchoolOutdoor LearningNature-Immersive

Pricing & funding

The nursery offers hourly rates for unfunded two-year-olds alongside structured sessions for Breakfast, After School, and Holiday Clubs. Funded sessions are subject to voluntary enhanced provision fees. Holiday Club options include short and full-day sessions, with flat rates for funded bookings.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds

Good to know

  • A voluntary enhanced provision fee applies to all invoices for funded children.
  • A flat rate applies to Holiday Club bookings using funded hours.

Key facts

Opening hours

9am-3pm (funded hours term time); Holiday Club (9am-3pm and 8am-5:30pm); Before and After School Care

Age range

2-8 years

Term time / All Year

Mixed

Established

2017

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Muddy Boots

Last inspected 30 June 2021

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 flourish and thrive in the highly stimulating and enriching learning environments. They have very positive relationships with staff and have secure attachments with their key persons. Staff expertly nurture and support children's emotional well-being so that they become confident and independent.

Inspector highlights

  • Children flourish and thrive in highly stimulating and enriching learning environments.
  • Children are captivated in play and continually learn new knowledge and skills.
  • Staff are passionate about immersing children in nature and are highly skilled at supporting them to experience the awe and wonder of the world around them.
  • The quality of teaching is exemplary.
  • Children in receipt of additional funding and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities make accelerated progress.
Inspection #10174472 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children in receipt of additional funding and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities make accelerated progress.

Outdoor space

Staff are passionate about immersing children in nature and are highly skilled at supporting them to experience the awe and wonder of the world around them. Children visit the woodlands and nearby beach, which enhances their sensory experiences and ignites their imaginations.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

30 June 2021

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 Muddy Boots

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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