Forest Barn Nursery School

The Barn, Great Warley Street, Brentwood CM13 3JP
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9.8 39 Reviews
  • Forest Barn Nursery School, Brentwood
Forest Barn Nursery School is located inside a beautifully converted barn on the outskirts of Brentwood, Essex. The nursery provides high-quality care and education for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.

At Forest Barn, their team of experienced educators teach children using the Early Years Foundation Stage framework alongside their own Storal approach to curriculum. They know that every child is different with their own story to tell, so they make sure that your child learns in a way and at a pace that’s right for them.

Children also enjoy learning in the extensive outdoor spaces such as a Nissen Hut, large garden, sandpit, mud kitchen and sensory garden.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Hannah Dean (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 20

Total Places for Children

  • 70

Age Range

  • from 0 years 2 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Full day (8 am – 5 pm) from £75.50

  • We want to make life simple, so our fees include milk, freshly prepared snacks, and meals, as well as nappies, wipes, and sun cream. Parents are, of course, also welcome to bring in their own.

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Forest Barn Nursery School Reviews (39)

9.8

Forest Barn Nursery School has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.764) out of 10, based on 15 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Forest Barn Nursery School has 39 reviews.

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Review from Hannah S (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been at Forest Barn Nursery School since September 2022. Staff are warm, friendly and care about the children. They are very open with parents and always try to accommodate each child's individual needs rather than enforce certain schedules etc. I feel confident leaving my son in their care
and have been very happy with them so far. We love the outdoor spaces they have created for the children, which offer lots of opportunities to play and learn.
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Review from D P (Mother of Child) published on 14 February 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot fault this nursery at all, I have one little boy who loved his time there and my youngest is now there and loving his time. The attention to care and personal touches make this such a nice environment for a parent to feel at ease with leaving their children.
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Review from J H (Mother of Child) published on 13 February 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are so glad that we chose Forest Barn for our son. He has attended since he was 9 months old and has built such lovely relationships with the staff.
I like the home-from-home feel that this nursery brings. I feel fully comfortable leaving him (now 22 months) in their care. All of the staff know
all of the children and take a genuine interest in their lives. I love receiving daily updates on the app on how my son is progressing and being asked to attend stay and play sessions.
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Review from A B (Mother of Child) published on 6 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are very happy with Nappies and Paddies. Since our daughter started, she loves going there every day. The staff is very supportive and attentive, with an individual approach to every child. They inspire creativeness in children. Turnover is very low, which I'm very pleased with. Also, we are happy
with the big outdoor area and walks to the fields. Great nursery!
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Review from S H (Mother of Child) published on 4 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been going to nappies and paddies since he was 2 years old. He has excelled so much. He is above where he needs to be in his academia. The staff are amazing. They are still able to maintain a personal touch with all the children. They have lovely meals cooked on-site for them. Plenty of outdoor
play. I honestly could not recommend them enough. I'm confident that when my son has to start school he will be more than ready.
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Review from C F (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy has been going to Nappies & Paddies since October 2021, he loves every minute of it and as soon as I walked in I knew it was the one. The staff are so lovely and welcoming and caring for your little one which is everything you want in a nursery. They always take care in telling you what
your little one got up to at the end of each day which I find very informative. They also take steps in their learning journeys and encourage you to help along at home to develop your child’s needs. I feel at ease every day knowing my little boy is having so much fun, they are outside every day which is what all children love and always painting and doing messy play. I thoroughly recommend Nappies & Paddies to anyone, I can’t recommend their service enough.
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Review from A G (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Nappies and Paddies is a wonderful nursery. My son loves going every day and always leaves happy! I couldn't recommend it more! We love it!
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Review from M G (Mother of Child) published on 23 March 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my daughter and son go to Nappies and Paddies. They love it here! They love all the staff and have so much fun. It's so nice to have somewhere that I can trust to look after my children while I go to work and not have to worry.
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Review from Jen U (Mother of Child) published on 14 July 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at Nappies and Paddies for nearly 3 years and my son for nearly 1 year, and they both love nursery so much. The staff are so engaged and caring with the children, and there is such a variety of activities for the children. The setting of the nursery is wonderful and the children
get to spend lots of time outside. Recently the nursery has invested in two new outdoor areas for the children, which has really enhanced the days for them and my daughter is always excited to tell me which garden they were playing in.
Reply from Susan Prigg, Manager at Forest Barn Nursery SchoolThank you so much for taking the time to review our nursery. We are happy that we continue to offer you a quality provision for your children.
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Review from M M (Mother of Child) published on 10 April 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter is always excited to go to Nappies and Paddies. The staff are warm, welcoming and extremely professional. I have noticed a massive development in our daughter since starting here. It is a lovely setting in an old farm with gorgeous surroundings, which is what drew us to it in the beginning.
A decision that we have not regretted for a second. Fantastic!
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Review from Megan C (Mother of Child) published on 24 March 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Nappies and Paddies is a wonderful nursery, set on an old farm. My little girl 3 and little boy 1 are eager to attend every session. The staff are friendly, welcoming and very approachable. Settling my two children each came with a very different requirement and Nappies and Paddies adapted to each of
their needs. I love that my children spend lots of time outside and are taken on long walks across the old farmland, to learn about nature. Every session is filled with fun, encouraging, learning activities. I am very happy with this nursery and can't recommend enough!
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Review from Avril D (Mother of Child) published on 8 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at Nappies and Paddies since she was eleven months old and will be 'graduating' later this year. I cannot put it into words properly and do the team justice, of just how highly we think of this nursery. My four year old came home last week and sung the months of the year, the colours
in Spanish, showed me the meteor she made and excitedly told me about her 'teachers' taking them sledging in the snow. All within a pandemic too. The love, care and attention everyone shows here are so unique to this wonderful nursery 'village'. I am beyond grateful to the team who are both professionals and the warmest people you could entrust your children to, outside of your own family. I don't believe there is any better nursery.
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Review from Andrew A (Father of Child) published on 4 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both our children have attended/now attend Nappies and Paddies nursery and I am so pleased we made the decision to send them there. We viewed other nurseries too but we just got the sense of 'home from home' with this one and knew as soon as we walked around on our show around that this is where wanted
to send our children. We were given some settling sessions too which was great as we were able to meet the room staff and could see them happily playing. The management and staff are all very friendly and approachable and it’s clear to see they are a fabulous team!
We are very impressed with what our children have been learning here and how they have grown and developed with the help of Nappies and Paddies!
Thank you so much.
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Review from Julie H (Mother of Child) published on 21 January 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
When I was looking for a nursery for my daughter, I viewed nearly every nursery in Brentwood. I left all of them feeling unsure until I visited Nappies and Paddies. From the moment I stepped in there, I was practically begging them to give my daughter a place. She's now been there almost 2 years attending
4 days a week and she is happier than I could ever have imagined. They are always flexible and constantly improving/adding more things for the kids to learn and do. My daughter isn't 3 yet and she came home yesterday counting to 5 in Spanish. The staff are always warm, friendly and helpful and I truly feel like my daughter finds it a home from home. I also love that the communications and development are all recorded handwritten to keep and show her in the future and so my daughter doesn't have an Ipad or phone in her face all day. This nursery holds a special place in my heart for how happy they have made my daughter and I look forward to sending my impending new arrival there next year.
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Review from V B (Mother of Child) published on 18 October 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started at the nursery this week and the girls have made me feel so at ease. The care and attention my son receives is excellent. He loves it so much and is sad to leave. Communication from the staff is excellent and I am kept up to date with his progress. From the moment I first called the
nursery the staff have been so helpful and I am so so happy and content leaving my son in their care. I highly recommend Nappies and Paddies.
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Review from Emma O (Mother of Child) published on 8 October 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our 8 month old started at Nappies and Paddies in September 2019. I have been more than impressed with the care and attention he has received. The staff are incredibly warm and caring but also, really know their stuff. I was apprehensive of sending him to a nursery but the staff here put me at ease
straight away. I couldn’t recommend them more.
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Review from Frances G (Mother of Child) published on 26 September 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This warm, friendly nursery had my heart from the moment I walked in 4 years ago. They have helped my daughter to grow into the little person she is today and I can't thank them enough. The staff are amazing. They really do go above and beyond for the children in their care. The children are so connected
to them and really truly love being there. The most wonderful place.
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Review from Lu H (Mother of Child) published on 1 August 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
From the first phone call to the nursery, staff were helpful, kind and informative, they also called me back as planned and invited me for a show around. On the visit I found the setting to be exceptionally warm and homely, the owners and staff (whom mainly are long term) are genuine, friendly and truly
care for the children who attend. My children have tried all the rooms now and my experience is the same. Exceptional care, inventive and educational activities, appreciation for working parents, free fun days to meet other parents and talk to key workers (outside working week). This decision was so hard for me (to send to nursery) until I found Nappies and Paddies then it became one of my best yet! A wonderful place for children.
Reply from Dave and Sue Prigg, Owners at Forest Barn Nursery SchoolThank you so much for posting this lovely review. It is great to know that our wonderful staff are offering the level of care that we strive to achieve.
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Review from Ruben R (Father of Child) published on 7 August 2015 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I love this nursery. I had taken my 2-years old to another nursery before and I hadn't realised how bad that was until I learned about Nappies &Paddies.
Staff are so caring, the place is clean and management are kind, friendly and helpful. My son is happy everyday he goes, which didn't happen with
the other nursery.
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.764)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.764) out of 10 for Forest Barn Nursery School is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 15 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.9 out of 5 from 15 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.889 for Forest Barn Nursery School is calculated as follows: ( (162 Excellents x 5) + (16 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 180 Ratings = 4.889
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 4.875 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Forest Barn Nursery School is based on 15 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 3.875
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 70 number of registered child places is 14, which has been reached with 15 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (4)

Meet the Team (2)

Hannah

Hannah Dean

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2019

Welcome to Forest Barn Nursery School in Great Warley, Brentwood.
Every day at Forest Barn, we encourage children to be inquisitive and imaginative in our exceptional learning environment. In doing so, they soon develop confidence, a real love of learning and a curious mind. Outdoors, our nursery has so much to offer too, from our Nissen hut and sensory garden to our fruit patch and walks in the local woodland.


Our experienced team come with a wealth of early years learning insight. We know that every child is different with their own story to tell, so we make sure that your child learns in a way and at a pace that’s right for them.


Come and say hello – we’d love to meet you and your family.

Leigh

Leigh

Job Title: Nursery Manager (Maternity Cover) Joined: 2022

Hello, my name is Leigh Farmer and I joined Storal in 2022. When the nursery was taken over by Storal, I was working as Deputy Manager. I’m now stepping into the role of Nursery Manager to cover maternity leave, which I’m really looking forward to.


I hold a Level 6 qualification and I’m also the setting’s SENCO, something I’m very proud of.


I love supporting both the children and the staff team, and building strong, positive relationships with our families.


I’m especially passionate about creating a supportive, inclusive environment for children and their families, making sure everyone feels welcome, valued, and cared for within our setting.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Forest Barn Nursery School to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Forest Barn Nursery School has an Enhanced Service - more info.