Business Details
Expert Childcare & Early Education in Edinburgh
Established as a family-run business, Forbes Childrens Nursery provides a nurturing environment for children aged 3 months to 5 years. Our approach combines emotional wellbeing, learning through play, and outdoor exploration in purpose-designed gardens and forest school settings. We prioritise healthy, home-cooked meals and foster a 'One Step from Home' ethos, ensuring children feel secure while developing essential skills. Our experienced team promotes creativity, cultural awareness, and physical development through structured yet flexible programmes aligned with national educational standards.With four Edinburgh locations, we maintain consistent high standards across all nurseries while adapting to local community needs. Our commitment to staff development ensures ongoing professional expertise, complemented by strong family partnerships that respect diverse backgrounds. Regular outdoor activities, including forest school excursions, form a core part of our curriculum, encouraging children to engage with nature and build confidence through controlled risk-taking.
Services
Nursery care
Forest school
Home-cooked meals
Outdoor learning
Early years education
Highlights and features
- We offer forest school experiences in Edinburgh's natural environments
- Our nurseries provide freshly prepared healthy meals daily
- Experienced, long-standing staff ensure consistent care quality
- We maintain a low child-to-staff ratio for personalised attention
- Four convenient Edinburgh locations with purpose-designed facilities
What people say
Nurturing staff
Excellent outdoor spaces
Healthy home-cooked meals
Confident children
Family atmosphere
Services
Nursery care
Our nursery care service provides safe, stimulating environments for children aged 3 months to 5 years. With qualified staff maintaining low child-to-carer ratios, we deliver personalised care that supports emotional development and social skills. Each Edinburgh location features purpose-designed indoor and outdoor spaces that encourage exploration and learning through play-based activities.
Forest school
Forest school sessions develop children's confidence and environmental awareness through structured outdoor activities. Qualified instructors lead Edinburgh-based woodland explorations that promote physical development and natural curiosity. These experiences build resilience through controlled risk-taking while teaching practical skills like shelter-building and nature observation in safe, supervised settings.
Home-cooked meals
Daily home-cooked meals use fresh, seasonal ingredients to meet children's nutritional needs. Our menus provide balanced meals that accommodate various dietary requirements while encouraging healthy eating habits. The dining experience fosters social development through shared mealtimes that teach table manners and food appreciation in a relaxed, family-style atmosphere.
Early years education
Our curriculum follows Scotland's 'Curriculum for Excellence' framework while incorporating play-based learning methods. Qualified educators deliver age-appropriate activities that develop literacy, numeracy, and creative skills through music, languages, and arts. Regular progress assessments ensure children reach developmental milestones while maintaining individualised learning approaches that respect each child's unique pace.
Outdoor learning
Purpose-designed garden spaces facilitate daily outdoor activities that complement indoor learning. Children engage in physical play, gardening projects, and weather-based exploration to develop motor skills and environmental awareness. These spaces feature age-appropriate equipment and natural elements that encourage imaginative play while meeting strict safety standards for secure, supervised outdoor experiences.
Questions
What age range do you cater for?
We accept children from 3 months old up to school age, with age-appropriate activities and facilities across all our Edinburgh nurseries.
Do you follow the Scottish curriculum?
Yes, our programmes align with Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence while incorporating play-based learning and forest school principles.
Are meals included in nursery fees?
Yes, we provide three freshly prepared meals daily using seasonal ingredients, with menus accommodating various dietary requirements.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
All our childcare professionals hold relevant qualifications with many staff members having worked with us for over a decade.
How much outdoor time do children get?
Children spend at least two hours daily outdoors across our purpose-designed gardens and local green spaces, weather permitting.
How do I apply for a nursery place?
Contact your preferred Edinburgh location directly to discuss availability and arrange a visit to our facilities.
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