Harlequin Forest School

Tree stumps, fallen branches and changing leaves supplied the learning materials at Harlequin Forest School in December 2024. Children explored the woodland, worked with real tools and developed language through their discoveries. This is a setting whose character comes from the forest itself.

Ofsted rated the setting Outstanding at its 16 December 2024 inspection. Harlequin Forest School has 15 places in total; the children attending at that visit were aged two to four.

In December 2024, exploration shaped the curriculum. Children used mud to decorate tree stumps, incorporating the marks and wood patterns into imaginative stories. Staff introduced new vocabulary during play, which children then used in their conversations.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, play connected language, counting and practical discovery. Children estimated the effort needed to cut a branch, then practised counting with collected natural objects. Numbers had a purpose.

The Indian conker tree and native horse chestnut tree provided concrete opportunities to compare leaves. Children also discussed seasonal changes and used botanical vocabulary on forest walks. Sawing fallen wood added another dimension: children could try a demanding practical task while learning about risk.

At the December 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described individually tailored support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, coordinated with families and external professionals. These findings matter alongside the freedom children were given outdoors.

In December 2024, that freedom came with clear boundaries. Children understood rules against picking or licking things they found on their adventures, considered other children's safety and worked together on problems. Independence meant making considered choices.

Staff also brought foods from their own cultural backgrounds into children's experiences, opening conversations about differences and preferences. Regular observation and feedback supported staff development at that time.

The woodland setting is at The Woods, Boughton Lane, Boughton Monchelsea, Maidstone, ME17 4NA.

In December 2024, children visited from their main setting in nearby Coxheath. The forest provision also ran a holiday club, and funded childcare places were offered to eligible children. The visiting arrangement is an important part of understanding how this woodland experience fitted into children's childcare.

• The visiting arrangement. Children came from the main Coxheath setting in December 2024. At a visit, ask how forest attendance fits into the current booking pattern, including holiday provision and funded hours.
• Practical outdoor learning. December 2024 activities included cutting fallen branches with saws. Consider whether this combination of tools, woodland exploration and managed risk matches the experiences you want for your child.

Harlequin Forest School suits families drawn to woodland discovery and practical independence. Its December 2024 experiences connected imaginative play, mathematical thinking and precise vocabulary with real objects and tasks. The strongest reason to consider it is that concrete learning character, alongside the dated Outstanding judgement. Families weighing it should give equal attention to how the forest visits fit their childcare routine.