Churchwood Forest School

A pond built with children's help, rope swings and den-making gave Churchwood Forest School a practical outdoor character in November 2021. Children were participants in shaping their surroundings, with opportunities to build, experiment and care for wildlife.

At its November 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Outstanding and found high-quality teaching, strong progress and effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Churchwood Forest School has 15 places in total, at Churchwood Valley, Wembury, Plymouth, PL9 0DZ.

In November 2021, children balanced and climbed in woodland, moved materials using wheelbarrows and experimented with a hammock's height. These activities brought physical effort and problem-solving together: children had practical reasons to test an idea and adjust it.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. In November 2021, this took shape through play, conversation, counting and stories rather than outdoor activity alone. Children counted objects around them and learnt vocabulary that distinguished spiders from insects. Staff used children's interests to plan further learning and questions to encourage explanations.

Books and songs also had a place in the November 2021 routine. Children made nests for toy birds and noticed seasonal changes, connecting imaginative play with attention to living things.

In November 2021, staff responded to individual needs as younger children settled, encouraged persistence and helped children understand their own achievements. Familiar routines supported participation, while sharing and turn-taking were part of daily play. Parents received detailed updates about their child's development.

At the November 2021 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective, with staff able to recognise welfare concerns, report them and respond to hazards. During that month, children learnt site boundaries, fire precautions, tool use and which natural objects to leave untouched, including mushrooms. Independence included washing their own hands; outdoor freedom came with explicit safety teaching.

The address is Churchwood Valley, Wembury, Plymouth, PL9 0DZ. In November 2021, the setting operated within Churchwood Valley Holiday Park and provided outdoor education during term time, Monday to Thursday, from 8.30am to 4pm. Children attending at that inspection were aged two to five.

That dated timetable describes a term-time rhythm rather than year-round attendance. Families comparing care across the working week should treat the attendance pattern as a central decision alongside the outdoor approach.

• The attendance pattern. In November 2021, provision ran Monday to Thursday in term time. What ages and attendance arrangements apply now, and how would they fit your family's week?
• Learning outdoors. In November 2021, children used tools and rope swings and learnt fire precautions. Consider whether this practical, physically active approach matches the experiences you want for your child.

Churchwood Forest School suits families drawn to outdoor exploration, practical problem-solving and children taking an active role in their surroundings. In November 2021, learning linked physical activity with practical problem-solving. The term-time, Monday-to-Thursday pattern recorded then is an equally important part of deciding whether it fits family life.