Barnkids Nursery and Forest School

Barnkids has made huge progress since their last Ofsted report, and is back to how it used to be. Our children (23 months and 3.5) have always been very happy there. But we are now back to recieving regular (and very detailed) observations and good handovers. The rooms are looking lovely and activities are set up daily. There is now a solid staff body again who really know the children well - we really appreciate both the old faces and the new who came with the new management team. The new management has been exceptional and has worked so hard in really turning this nursery around, and communicating with us regularly.

Since the new management has come in we have been really impressed with all the changes and improvements made. The communication to parents is open and honest and we really feel like we're part of the journey to improving the nursery. They have updated many policies and procedures to give assurance about our daughter's safety and we love reading the observations each week. It's a welcoming environment - parents are encouraged to see what the children get up to and we are very happy.

My children have made great friends. We've been on holiday with nursery friends. I've also made great friends through the nursery.

Overall we're so happy we chose to stay, our daughter is happy and cared for and the last piece to the puzzle will be a permanent manager.

Barnkids have made tremendous steps forward in the last few months following the arrival of a new manager. Every week, the communications are thorough about the changes being made, and this makes us hugely hopeful it's all moving in the right direction and back to the Barnkids it once was.

Regardless of all of this, the most wonderful thing to see is how happy my child is, and that's not changed. He's ALWAYS come out of nursery happy about his day and talks very fondly of nursery. He's made friendships with other toddlers and is developing well, and all of this reflects the care he gets whilst he's there.

As unsettling as the recent Ofstead was, it doesn't detract from the happy, well cared for child that comes home from nursery and the joy we experience at drop off and pick up knowing he's in a great place.

Highlight - the garden spaces are wonderful! Big spaces, age appropriate, and used regularly in all weathers. Free range babies. The rooms are all homely too

Our daughter has attended Barnkids since she was 10 months old and is now almost three. We understand the seriousness of the March 2026 Ofsted report, but as current parents we've experienced a huge transformation since.

The new leadership team has made remarkable improvements. We now have complete confidence in the nursery. The staff are stable, caring and know our daughter, helping her learn, grow and thrive in a safe, nurturing environment.

Communication is excellent, with detailed handovers, thoughtful observations and regular updates. It feels like a genuine partnership, with our daughter's individual needs coming first.

Learning is purposeful and engaging, the environment is calm and organised, and we've appreciated the openness around ongoing improvements, including to forest school.

Most importantly, our daughter absolutely loves nursery and has grown enormously in confidence, independence and curiosity. This review reflects our experience as current parents.

We removed our child because of safety concerns, and following the recently published Ofsted report this definitely makes us feel like we made the right decision. Concerns include food and allergy safety, and unfenced areas in the forest school near open water when children are allowed to play out of sight and earshot. The key worker system doesn't work because of such high staff turnover and so many agency staff. Very infrequent observations, despite telling parents they'd reviewed this and would be sending them every week we'd be lucky to get one a fortnight. Extremely poor communication from management about issues. It used to be a lovely place when it was a family owned business but it's been sold to a chain and has gone further and further downhill since.

The setting remains lovely & there is a lot of potential but the recent management and communication are poor.

Me and my wife are incredibly happy with our child's current care at barn kids. She gets to scamper about the forest every day and play with all her friends. The key workers in her room are all exemplary and take the best care of her. We couldn't think of a better place for her to be right now.

Barnkids is an excellent nursery. Our son loves going there. The forest school is fantastic and so nice for the children to get to spend so much time outdoors exploring. The staff are fantastic. They really get to know the children, are enthusiastic and you can really tell they care which is so lovely. Our son has formed close bonds with many of them. They have helped our son learn and grow as an individual and incorporate and encourage his interests. We could not have picked a better nursery and would highly recommend it.

My son has been at Barnkids since he was just 1 year old he has loved his time at Barnkids, especially the forest school. He has built strong relationships with all staff and I'm sure has made life long friends.

My son started his journey at Barnkids Nursery and Forest School when he was 16 months old in the Hatchery and is now 3 years old in the Paddock. He absolutely loves his time at nursery. The nursery provides interesting and engaging learning with kind and attentive staff who nurture and care for him daily. The rooms and staff are inviting and cultivate a keen curiosity. Barnkids is unique and my son thrives being outdoors, particularly at Forest School.

An absolutely beautiful setting, where my child thoroughly enjoys spending time. The staff are warm and caring, and they support my child by cultivating her curiosity and helping her grow and flourish.

Both my daughter and son have attended Barnkids from 9 months. They have both loved and still love their time there. They thoroughly enjoy their trips to forest school and come home excited to tell me about their days. The staff across the nursery are extremely friendly, caring and knowledgeable. We have been extremely happy with our children's care and development over their last 3-4 years at Barnkids.

To be able to leave your child in the hands of people who feel like family is very special, and we’re lucky that our second daughter has been able to start in the Nest (under 2’s), so we can continue our time as part of the Barnkids family.

This summer will see our second child transition from Barnkids Nursery and Forest School to "big school", we are so lucky to have a nursery like this in our area. We love the "learn by play" ethos and especially the setting on the farm. The space available and the daily Forest School activities were a big draw for us. The owners have done some great work in developing the site further and bringing in some excellent caterers as well. We can't recommend them highly enough.

My three-year-old daughter has been having such a lovely time in the Badgers group. It is a warm and friendly learning environment and this past month particularly, my daughter has come out in such a happy mood. Thank you to Barnkids Nursery and Forest School for your dedication and caring for her.

The app is really useful, and I get regular updates of nappies, food, sleep and photos of what he's been up to during the week (usually getting very mucky both indoors and out!)

Our 3-year-old is a changed boy since starting at Barnkids. He is so excited to attend every morning and often talks about his teachers and friends. I’m so pleased with his development, not only educationally but emotionally too. It’s such a confusing time for him but Barnkids has been his escapism. I’m so confident every time I hand him into their care, they really know him and they make an effort to ensure he does things for himself and by himself too. It’s so encouraging and helpful. He loves Forest school and exploring outside. The facilities and service at Barnkids are just fantastic. Any query is promptly answered. Genuinely feels like one big family. Such a testament to the owners and staff, we never want him to leave!

A wonderful environment, which my eighteen month old absolutely adores. Beautiful outdoor space and you are kept up to date with what your child is up to in detail throughout the day. Couldn't recommend more.