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The Barn Nursery School in Halstead

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Feb 2024)
·
5.0(7 parent reviews) ·Greenstead Farm, Crocklands, Halstead, CO9 1QY · Essex
Number of places
76 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2024
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

The Barn Nursery School is a well-established and highly-regarded early years setting with two locations in Greenstead Green (near Halstead) and Colne Engaine, Essex. The nursery prides itself on its strong partnerships with parents, viewing families as central to a child's learning journey and ensuring their involvement from initial visits and induction to daily interactions and regular progress updates.

They achieve this through open communication, workshops, and dedicated "parents as partners" sessions. Committed to providing an enriching environment, The Barn Nursery and Forest School emphasises outdoor learning and exploration.

They have garnered "Outstanding" Ofsted reports and hold the Quality Counts Platinum Award, reflecting their dedication to high-quality early childhood education. They are also a recognised Stronger Practice Hub, further demonstrating their commitment to excellence and sharing best practices within the early years sector.

The nursery warmly welcomes new families and encourages them to get in touch to discover more about their unique offerings, which include an "Extreme Forest School" programme and a "Baby Barn" for younger children.

Our ethos

The Barn Nursery and Forest School emphasises outdoor learning and exploration, with a strong commitment to parent partnerships, viewing families as central to a child's learning journey. They offer an "Extreme Forest School" programme and provide an enriching environment for children.

What it's like

The providers and staff place children at the heart of their highly ambitious curriculum. Staff’s knowledge and dedication ensure that teaching practice is continuously outstanding. Children rapidly develop excellent levels of confidence and resilience as well as exceptional communication skills.

Forest SchoolStrong parent partnershipsOutstanding Ofsted reportsStronger Practice HubQuality Counts Platinum Award

Pricing & funding

Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 7.45 am to 4pm.

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Barn Nursery School

Last inspected 13 February 2024

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

The providers and staff place children at the heart of their highly ambitious curriculum. Staff’s knowledge and dedication ensure that teaching practice is continuously outstanding. Children rapidly develop excellent levels of confidence and resilience as well as exceptional communication skills.

Inspector highlights

  • Children of all ages are eager and highly motivated to learn.
  • Partnerships with parents and carers are excellent.
  • The providers are passionate and highly driven, setting themselves and staff exceptionally high standards.
  • Staff provide a wealth of experiences for children to develop secure skills to support their future learning.
  • Children enjoy playing outside in the fresh air.
Inspection #10305482 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents comment on the noticeable increase in their children’s confidence and self-esteem that helps to support their emotional well-being.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make exceptional progress from their starting points. The providers have worked exceptionally hard to ensure that any children with SEND receive the very best support. Careful recording and planning help staff and parents to document children's individual journeys, including the areas they need additional help in. Consequently, support and funding are sought in a timely manner to help children to begin to close gaps in their learning.

Outdoor space

Children enjoy playing outside in the fresh air. Staff ensure that children wear protective clothing, such as waterproof trousers and wellington boots, to enable children, including babies, to explore the natural world as they wish. Older children delight in finding new ways to climb up and slide down an inviting mud hill. Babies and toddlers explore water, bark and sand in trays outside that excite and motivate them to find new ways to splash and move the materials about.

Parent Reviews of The Barn Nursery School

5.0
(7)
Michelle BOCKING
9 months ago

We cannot recommend The Barn Nursery School highly enough. From start to finish, it has been the most wonderful experience for our son and for us as a family. The care, love, and dedication shown by every member of staff is truly above and beyond anything we could have hoped for. The Barn isn’t just a nursery… it’s a place where children are nurtured, inspired, and given the skills they’ll carry with them for life. Forest School is nothing short of incredible… the adventures, the connection to nature, and the independence it has fostered in our son have been amazing to watch. Every day he came home full of stories, excitement, and confidence. The warmth, patience, and creativity of the staff shine through in everything they do, and it’s clear that each child is loved, valued and celebrated as an individual. Leaving The Barn feels like saying goodbye to family. We are so grateful for the memories, the friendships, and the incredible start to our son’s journey. If you are looking for a nursery that is truly outstanding in every sense – The Barn is it! 💚

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Alice Logue
9 months ago

The most outstanding nursery I’ve ever come across. Owners and staff who go above and beyond to make the most wonderful, inspiring and nurturing environment for all the children, they truly care. My children have been lucky enough to experience The Barn Nursery and all they offer, from joining the Baby Barn all the way through to transitioning to school as confident, resilient little people with a love of the outdoors and nature through their amazing Forest School, natural provisions and adventure walks. Special highlights include the pre-schoolers Nativity and Graduation ceremony 💚🥰

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Naomi Cooper-Woodison
10 months ago

Highly recommend The Barn Nursery School!! I have had two children go to the nursery and both have thrived here. They have grown in confidence, knowledge, social skills and learning. They both thoroughly enjoyed their time here and I can't believe it's over tbh. I love how much time my children got to spend outdoors in fresh air, going for 'adventures' IE walks etc,. Lots of play outside, exploring and gaining new skills with real tools as well. This nursery will help your children to be resilient and independent but also caring and loving. The Forest School that the nursery run onsite as well is brilliant. I mean the kids get very muddy but what's the point of being a child if not to get muddy?!

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Cute Cat
10 months ago

Thank you for being part of our village The Barn Nursery School ! We can't express the love and thanks we have for you being just the perfect place for our little one over the past two years! You are amazing, thank you for today's graduation and all the other days you've kept our little one happy and thriving, ready to conquer the world! xxx

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Victoria Percival
10 months ago

10 years in, and there is no place I'd rather be! 💚 #teambarnfamily

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Reviews from Google for The Barn Nursery School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: February 2018

  • February 2024Outstanding
  • February 2018Outstanding

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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