Opening hours
51 weeks a year
Wild Days Lodge
Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2024)
Number of places
26 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2024
Local authority
Nottingham
About this day nursery
Wild Days Lodge Forest Pre-School, located in the Mapperley Hospital Conservation Area of Nottingham, offers a unique outdoor learning experience for young children. The preschool emphasizes nature play within its large natural garden and surrounding green spaces, aiming to foster health, resilience, creativity, independence, and environmental respect.
It operates 51 weeks a year, providing flexible placements including full-time, part-time, or term-time only options to accommodate diverse family schedules. The curriculum focuses on developing children socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically, and intellectually through exploration and hands-on activities in all weather conditions.
Wild Days Lodge aims to provide a distinct alternative to traditional preschools, building confidence, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities within a supportive and engaging forest school environment. The establishment prides itself on its award-winning status and its practical approach to early years education, preparing children effectively for school.
Our ethos
Wild Days Lodge focuses on helping children become healthy, resilient, creative, independent, and respectful of our environment through nature play. Children lead the way in our award-winning forest school, growing socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually – all in a warm, welcoming space where every day is a wild new discovery. We take a practical approach to early years education, where children climb, dig, build, and problem-solve in all weather, developing physical skills, communication, and resilience.
What it's like
Staff at Wild Days Lodge place a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, creating an enticing environment for children to explore. Children engage in activities like using trowels, riding bicycles, and rolling down slopes, all while learning about safety and the natural world. Staff foster curiosity by introducing new vocabulary and teaching practical skills like building a campfire.
Forest SchoolOutdoor LearningFlexible PlacementsYear-Round CareAward-Winning
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All Year
Session types
full-time, part-time, term-time only
Established
2022
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Wild Days Lodge
Last inspected 2 February 2024 · Susan Hyatt
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Staff at Wild Days Lodge place a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, creating an enticing environment for children to explore. Children engage in activities like using trowels, riding bicycles, and rolling down slopes, all while learning about safety and the natural world. Staff foster curiosity by introducing new vocabulary and teaching practical skills like building a campfire.
Inspector highlights
- Staff place a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, where they create an enticing environment which children confidently explore.
- Children are inquisitive about the world around them and staff introduce new vocabulary, explaining bugs have 'burrowed' inside the stump and eaten it to make it 'hollow'.
- Staff teach children how to build a campfire, supporting children's growing curiosity and building on their emerging interests.
- Staff are good role models, reminding children to use their manners, help each other and share resources.
- Children enjoy group time, confidently pointing out animals in books and singing familiar rhymes.
Areas to develop
- 1strengthen the deployment of staff in order to provide consistent and purposeful interactions for children, which build on their existing skills and knowledge
- 2provide more consistent opportunities for children to do things for themselves to promote their independence further.
Inspection #10327793 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents say they have developed good relationships with staff.
they state that their children have grown in confidence and are making good progress in their social skills.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
Outdoor space
Staff place a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, where they create an enticing environment which children confidently explore. Toddlers use their muscles as they use trowels to scoop up wood chippings and pour them into small baskets. Others use their legs to push themselves along on bicycles and tractors.
Parent Reviews of Wild Days Lodge
5.0
(10)
Skyye Morgan
6 months ago
As a parent who was really nervous about sending my child to nursery, I feel I found the best option around for us with Wild Days Lodge. Every member of staff is genuine and caring, my daughters keyworker is attentive and considerate. Brilliant range of outdoor and indoor activities, lots of different themes and celebrations. Great setting for my child to gain confidence and have fun.
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Rachael 20
6 months ago
Our little started at Wild Days in Early summer 2025. We’re very happy with the switch from the previous setting. It is great to know little one is getting plenty of time outside. Babs and the team do a great job, the atmosphere is relaxed and our child is thriving.
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Katie Keating
6 months ago
From one childcare provider to another I wanted to say thank you for the great work you do. Working in the industry I probably know too much, so was fussy when it came to choosing a setting for my then 2 yr old. She didn't need a placement as I run a childcare business, but I wanted her to make her own friends and meet other adults. Wild days has been great for her. Her speech has improved and she loves it. The setting is welcoming, warm, friendly and organised. Communication is brilliant and the setting is well resourced and ran. Staff are experienced and care. Its not full of 16 yr olds!!! We love you WDL! Thank you. Katie and Lottie xxx
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Flo
5 months ago
Absolutely wonderful setting, I have only good things to say about wild days lodge. Meeting the staff and seeing how attentive and caring they are really makes me feel at ease leaving my son here. He really enjoys forest school and all of the wonderful activities they have planned for him.
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Sam Keeble
a year ago
We visited many childcare settings in our search for the right fit for our daughter aged 2, and after only a few minutes visiting Wild Days Lodge and being greeted by the wonderful staff there, we knew it was the perfect place for her. She thrives in the beautiful outdoor setting they provide, which is so carefully created by the staff team with passion to enable the children to be resilient, independent and curious through their play and exploration. We are so pleased that we chose Wild Days Lodge, it is a very special, warm and nurturing setting. Our daughter has the best experiences and opportunities thanks to all that the staff, and nature provide.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Wild Days Lodge. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: February 2024
- March 2024Good
- February 2024Good
Frequently asked about Wild Days Lodge
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