This is London’s first full-time (8am-6pm) forest nursery. The registered premises for the nursery is the Picolo Centre on Duke Street, but the only ‘classroom’ is Chiswick House and Gardens, where 30 children in all-weather gear wander, climb, splash and build till home time. There is a high staffing ratio (1:4 adult-child) with many male members of staff which is rarity, but can be very popular with boys. The outdoor learning philosophy is captured by owners as ‘we wanted our children to learn how the world works through experiences rather than books’. The waiting list is 170 deep (one in eight places for underprivileged children) so early registration is advised. The children start the day at the Piccolo Play Centre with breakfast then go onto Chiswick House and Gardens or Kew Gardens. Activities can range from treasure hunts, climbing trees, building dens and creative play to reading stories, mark making and mathematics (counting leaves, acorns, feathers, dividing, sharing, combining) in the forest. In the late afternoon children return to Piccolo Play Centre to reflect on day and wait to be picked up. To secure a place parents have to pay a £25 deposit at the time of joining the waiting list and a enrolment fee of £150 is required upon registration.
Address: Picolo Play Centre, Duke Road, London W4 2JR
Phone number: 07707 545 913
Timings: FT: 8am-6pm
Age Range: 2-5 years old
Website: www.littleforestfolk.com/chiswick/
