The new grading follows an inspection in April, and celebrates the dedication of the Southwater team, as well as the unique environments and approach to learning that they have created for the children in their care.
The nursery received Exceptional gradings for achievement, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance, alongside Strong gradings for behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines, children’s welfare and wellbeing, and inclusion.
Little Barn Owls is a Forest & Farm School nursery group with six settings across Horsham, Crawley and Midhurst.
The group are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, which is rooted in the belief that children deserve rich, meaningful experiences that allow them to explore ideas, ask questions, solve problems and make sense of the world around them.
At the heart of this is Playoneering®, an approach to learning developed through ongoing research and practice by Hayley Peacock Education and Little Barn Owls Nurseries. Children are encouraged to follow their interests, test their ideas and learn through real experiences, with educators working alongside them as partners in their learning.
Charlotte Moss, Nursery Manager at Little Barn Owls Southwater, said:
“Achieving three Exceptional and three Strong gradings is an incredible achievement and a true reflection of the dedication, passion and commitment of our whole team. We are incredibly proud of the environment we have created for our children, where they are listened to, valued and encouraged to be curious, confident learners.
“This belongs to every member of our team, who work tirelessly each day to provide the very best experiences and opportunities for our children.”
The achievement comes at an exciting time for Little Barn Owls, which has also recently been shortlisted for two prestigious Nursery World Awards. The Southwater nursery has been shortlisted for Nursery of the Year, while the group has also been recognised in the Team Development Award category for its commitment to nurturing and developing exceptional early years professionals.
Charlotte Bateman, Director of Little Barn Owls Nurseries, added:
“This recognition reflects the incredible passion, professionalism and ambition of our teams. To achieve ‘Exceptional’ in three areas is a huge accomplishment, but what makes me most proud is that it comes from a genuine commitment to giving children the very best start in life, every single day.
“Our teams work tirelessly to create environments where children feel valued, confident and inspired to explore, question and discover. This recognition is a wonderful reflection of the culture and practice they have created together.”
For Founder and CEO Hayley Peacock, the recognition is also a reflection of the journey Little Barn Owls has been on since its beginnings 16 years ago.
“The exceptionally glowing comments in the report belong to every member of our team. They reflect 16 years of questioning, refining, researching, documenting and believing that children deserve an education that is rich in curiosity, relationships, play, challenge and possibility.
“Little Barn Owls has always been more than an early years group. It has been the research and development home of Playoneering®, where ideas are tested, evidence is gathered and practice is continually improved before being shared with educators across the UK and around the world for early years and primary education.
“Our mission is to inspire educators the world over to create relevant, meaningful and joyful ways for children to learn and this report supports our mission.”
This is another exciting milestone for Little Barn Owls as the group continues to grow across West Sussex, remaining committed to creating inspiring places for children to learn, play and grow, while continuing to share its ideas and practice with educators across the UK and internationally.
