Free Rangers Forest School Nursery
OutstandingBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Radstock for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in August 2023. Open since 2012, with 115 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Bath and North East Somerset
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Bath and North East Somerset from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BA3 2BWWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 2 August 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Highly qualified leaders and staff excellently plan and implement a broad, ambitious curriculum. They provide children with an exceptional early learning experience that centres around nature and the outdoor environment. Children benefit greatly from their daily farm walks, where they learn about farm animals.
For example, babies who are beginning to use sounds to communicate look to staff and make animal sounds. Older babies are very familiar with the environment and highlight to staff when the horse is not in the barn. Highly attentive staff share the children's enthusiasm for what they see and respond with interest when they notice differences. Older children plan their own play and learn how to manage and assess risk. They problem-solve how to reach the swing in the outdoor environment, which is just out of their reach. They use logs and work together, sharing ideas to support each other. Children beam with delight as they reach the swing and harmoniously take turns with their friends.
Staff empower children to be highly curious, independent learners. Children have exceptional levels of engagement and an eagerness to learn. The youngest children sit for 'bucket time'. They focus intently with anticipation because animated staff use their excellent teaching style to excite children and keep them engaged. Older children use open-ended resources to create a bridge over a large puddle created by the rainfall. Staff facilitate and extend children's learning where needed.
- 2 August 2023Outstanding
- 24 January 2019Good
- 24 January 2013Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Free Rangers Forest School Nursery
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.