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Wildlings Forest Kindergarten

Ofsted: Strong standard·
4.9(17 parent reviews) ·Grammarcombe woods, Ashcombe estate, Exeter, EX7 0QE · Devon
Number of places
16 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2025
Local authority
Devon

About this day nursery

Wildlings Forest Kindergarten, located in Grammarcombe Woods, Ashcombe Estate, Exeter, provides childcare for children aged 2 to 4 years. Registered with Ofsted in 2023, the nursery operates Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm.

The setting has a strong focus on outdoor learning, with staff consistently offering opportunities for children to explore the natural world and learn about seasonal changes within their forest environment. This approach is complemented by a bespoke and broad curriculum, helping children develop resilience, independence, and the ability to work together.

The dedicated team at Wildlings Forest Kindergarten is highly effective in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities, recognising when extra help is needed and providing targeted support. Leaders are passionate about their roles, fostering a positive environment with high expectations for every child.

Children thrive in an atmosphere where they feel safe and secure, building strong attachments with their key persons and developing confidence in their interactions and choices.

Our ethos

Wildlings Forest Kindergarten is founded on the Forest School ethos, promoting a holistic, nature-based approach that nurtures children's creativity, independence, resilience, and positive mental attitude. They focus on child-initiated and seasonal learning, aiming to foster a love for the natural world through outdoor activities and develop curiosity, self-awareness, cooperation, and communication.

What it's like

Children are extremely happy and settled in the care of attentive and nurturing staff. They have established secure attachments with their key persons, who provide practical and emotional support, helping children build trusting bonds and feel safe and secure. This is evident in their confidence when interacting with visitors and choosing their own activities.

Rapid progressNurturing staffStrong leadershipOutdoor learning

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged per six-hour session (9am to 3pm) with rates structured by age band for children aged 2 to 5. A one-off enrolment fee applies per child. Session fees include a daily Outdoor Resource Fund contribution.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • A one-off enrolment fee is charged upon registration.
  • Fees for children aged 2-3 years include a daily Outdoor Resource Fund contribution.
  • Fees for children aged 3-5 years include a daily Outdoor Resource Fund contribution.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday – Friday, 9am – 3pm, during term-time

Age range

2.5+ years

Session types

full day

Established

2023

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Strong standard

Last inspected Dec 2025

Headline: Strong standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
—
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementStrong standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingStrong standard
Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceStrong standard
Age range
2 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Wildlings Forest Kindergarten

Last inspected 5 December 2025 · Holly Pennington

What it's like to attend

Children are extremely happy and settled in the care of attentive and nurturing staff. They have established secure attachments with their key persons, who provide practical and emotional support, helping children build trusting bonds and feel safe and secure. This is evident in their confidence when interacting with visitors and choosing their own activities.

Inspector highlights

  • Children make rapid progress across all areas of the curriculum, especially in communication and language.
  • Staff are highly effective in recognising when children need extra help and respond quickly to build resilience and perseverance.
  • Leaders have been rigorous in establishing a positive environment where everyone has high expectations and always acts in the best interests of the children.
  • Clear routines help children feel secure and confident, while collaborative activities teach them how to share and work together.
  • Leaders are highly passionate about their roles and have high aspirations for every child, creating a strong culture of high expectations and professionalism.
  • The safeguarding standards are met.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders and those responsible for governance should sustain their work to ensure continued improvement and high standards.
  • 2Leaders and those responsible for governance should focus on creating a transformational impact on the outcomes and experiences of disadvantaged children, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, those who are known or previously known to children's social care, and those who may face other barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff are highly effective in recognising when children need extra help and respond quickly to build resilience and perseverance. Children receive targeted support through small groups or one-to-one sessions when required. Leaders rigorously monitor the progress of children who may face barriers to their learning, and adaptations are skilfully made when needed, liaising with other professionals when required to seek advice.

Outdoor space

Staff consistently provide children with lots of opportunities to learn about the wider world and seasonal changes through their outdoor setting. For instance, children observe the changes to the trees around them during a local walk and comment on the trees within the setting. Children are supported to understand personal safety through regular walks around the setting's boundaries.

Parent Reviews of Wildlings Forest Kindergarten

4.9
(17)
Ben Jeffery
11 months ago

Fantastic fun, 9th party for our daughter. The weather held out and made it brilliant. The party leaders are polite and friendly, the kids big and small had a blast. Highly recommended and thank you. Ben.

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J Westie
a year ago

Fabulous forest school for wild tots! Katy and Kim run great sessions on a weekly basis. From the start of the session there is something for everyone to get involved in, with a food making exercise each time

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Deborah May
3 years ago

Absolutely fabulous birthday party. The kids loved the freedom to do their own thing, while at the same time having activities to do if they wished. It was very relaxed and low demand, and Clare and Clare made us feel very welcome. Thank you.

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Mullenger X
4 years ago

Fab.. my boys love it They always come back with a smile on their face and can't wait for the following week They feel all grown up with having the opportunity of lighting fires and making things out of wood with saws and knives (under supervision don't worry !) Two hours full of fun, hot chocolate x You can tell how much fun they've had by the mud that's clung on them !!!!! X

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Lulu W
4 years ago

Great family fun the eco-friendly loo is one very unique experience

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Reviews from Google for Wildlings Forest Kindergarten. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

5 December 2025

Strong standard

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

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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