Opening hours
Monday – Friday, 8.15am– 4pm
Widcombe Acorns Pre-School and Forest School
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Jul 2025)
Number of places
25 places
Age range
3–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2025
Local authority
Bath and North East Somerset
About this day nursery
Widcombe Acorns is a pre-school and Forest School located in Bath, offering a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children. They focus on fostering confidence, independence, and a connection with nature through a varied curriculum and outdoor activities.
The pre-school emphasises a child-centred approach, allowing children to learn and explore in creative ways while developing social skills and responsibility. A distinctive feature is their consistent and passionate staff who are committed to the Acorns ethos, providing a high staff-to-child ratio for personalised care.
Parents consistently praise the warm, caring atmosphere and the positive impact on their children's development.
Our ethos
Widcombe Acorns Pre-School and Forest School emphasises a child-centred approach, fostering confidence, independence, and a connection with nature through outdoor activities and a varied curriculum. They are committed to their Acorns ethos, providing a high staff-to-child ratio for personalised care, allowing children to learn and explore creatively while developing social skills and responsibility.
What it's like
There is a wonderful atmosphere at 'Acorns' where staff build strong, supportive relationships with children, fostering their well-being and confidence. They align activities closely with children's abilities and interests, making learning fun through rich, exciting experiences like focused projects and forest school sessions. Children develop keen curiosity, a love of learning, and strong desire to achieve, showing skills well above their age and are exceptionally well prepared for school.
Forest SchoolHigh staff-to-child ratioNurturing environmentOutdoor activities
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.
Request pricing →Key facts
Established
1975
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Widcombe Acorns Pre-School and Forest School
Last inspected 8 July 2025 · Rachel Howell
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
There is a wonderful atmosphere at 'Acorns' where staff build strong, supportive relationships with children, fostering their well-being and confidence. They align activities closely with children's abilities and interests, making learning fun through rich, exciting experiences like focused projects and forest school sessions. Children develop keen curiosity, a love of learning, and strong desire to achieve, showing skills well above their age and are exceptionally well prepared for school.
Inspector highlights
- Children make exceptional progress, with targeted support and close collaboration with parents and outside professionals.
- Staff ensure all children learn to express themselves successfully, including those who speak English as an additional language, becoming confident, fluent communicators.
- Children become highly purposeful in their play and exploration through very skilful teaching, developing hand strength and attention to detail.
- Children develop confidence in doing things for themselves, cooperation, and collaboration on tasks, fostering a strong sense of responsibility and important life skills.
- Children's behaviour is exemplary, and staff help them negotiate, appreciate others' needs, understand boundaries, and manage risks, especially in forest school sessions.
Inspection #10399562 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
"Parents say that staff constantly exceed their expectations and that every aspect of staff's support is incredibly well thought out."
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Key persons outline next steps in children's learning and plan targeted support, liaising closely with outside professionals to get children the help they need. They ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are closely supported to reach their potential.
Outdoor space
Children focus together on the challenge of building with materials in their forest school session. Staff add in challenge for children to aim at chalk numbers at different levels on the wall outside. Staff are skilled at helping children to recognise and manage any risks they encounter, particularly in their forest school sessions. Children show exceptional understanding, using equipment and tools very competently and responsibly.
Parent Reviews of Widcombe Acorns Pre-School and Forest School
5.0
(2)
Laura James
14 years ago
Simply the best pre-school in Bath. Run by passionate committed staff - the children love it. The kids come out happy, confident & enthusuastic little people :)
Read on Google
Kabiru Mustapha
4 months ago
Reviews from Google for Widcombe Acorns Pre-School and Forest School. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: August 2003
- August 2025Outstanding
- July 2025Outstanding
- January 2020Outstanding
- December 2019Outstanding
- January 2016Outstanding
- December 2015Outstanding
- October 2009Outstanding
- September 2009Outstanding
- July 2006Outstanding
- August 2003Good
Frequently asked about Widcombe Acorns Pre-School and Forest School
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