Business Details
Trusted Childcare and Early Education in Whitby
The Wooden Horse Nursery is a family-owned and managed, purpose-built nursery offering both private and funded places for children from birth to five years old. Our ethos of Nurture Thrive Explore underpins every aspect of our approach, ensuring children feel secure, valued, and ready to flourish. We provide a safe, caring, and stimulating environment where each child is nurtured as an individual, with a focus on emotional and physical wellbeing. Our curriculum balances child-led exploration with adult-guided activities, allowing every child to grow at their own pace. The nurserys outdoor play area promotes physical development, creativity, and understanding of the world through activities like loose parts construction, vegetable patch gardening, and animal care.Ofsted inspectors praised our staff for their high expectations and exceptional support for children, including those with SEND. We work in close partnership with parents, keeping them informed about their childs progress and development. Our team of qualified and experienced staff creates a home-from-home environment rich in language, culture, and opportunity, ensuring children enjoy a joyful and enriching early years experience.
Services
Early Years Education
Outdoor Learning Activities
SEND Support
Parent Partnerships
Animal Interaction
Highlights and features
- We are a family-owned nursery with a dedicated team of qualified professionals.
- Our outdoor learning environment promotes physical development and creativity.
- We provide tailored support for children with special educational needs (SEND).
- Our curriculum balances child-led play with structured adult-guided activities.
- Ofsted inspectors praised our staff for exceptional care and educational outcomes.
What people say
Amazing care
Staff are amazing
Fantastic team
Exceptional life skills
Confidence and growth
Services
Early Years Education
Our Early Years Education programme follows the EYFS framework, blending child-led exploration with adult-guided activities. Qualified staff tailor learning to individual needs, fostering creativity, language development, and social skills. The curriculum prepares children for school through structured play and hands-on experiences.
Outdoor Learning Activities
Outdoor Learning Activities utilise our purpose-built garden for physical development and discovery. Children engage in loose parts construction, vegetable gardening, and animal care. Ofsted noted our outdoor area promotes creativity, physical skills, and understanding of the natural world through structured and free play.
SEND Support
SEND Support ensures children with special educational needs receive tailored care and learning opportunities. Staff collaborate closely with parents and specialists to create individualised plans. Our inclusive environment and experienced team help children with SEND thrive alongside their peers.
Parent Partnerships
Parent Partnerships are central to our approach, with regular updates on child development and progress. We involve families in planning activities and settling-in processes. Ofsted highlighted our strong communication and collaborative relationships with parents as key strengths.
Animal Interaction
Animal Interaction opportunities include caring for nursery rabbits and guinea pigs, teaching responsibility and empathy. These activities support emotional development and understanding of animal welfare. Children participate in feeding, cleaning, and observing the animals as part of daily routines.
Questions
What age range do you cater for?
We provide care for children from birth to five years old.
What curriculum do you follow?
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework with a focus on play-based learning.
Do you support children with special needs?
Yes, we offer tailored support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
What outdoor activities are available?
Our outdoor area includes loose parts construction, vegetable gardening, and animal care activities.
How do you involve parents?
We maintain regular communication and involve parents in planning and progress updates.
Can I visit the nursery?
Yes, we welcome prospective parents to arrange visits and meet our team.
