DUNKY’S Forest School at Gulliver’s World in Old Hall, Warrington is expanding as it celebrates its second anniversary.
The nursery, set in the grounds of the Gulliver’s World Theme Park, opened in October 2024 and is an authentic Forest School environment. It occupies a vast amount of woodland in the grounds of Gulliver’s World, serviced by multiple bell tents, canopies and unique structures.
Forest School is a unique environment where children are immersed in nature every day. It provides children with endless opportunities to explore, discover, take appropriate risks and develop the confidence, resilience and curiosity that will support them throughout their lives.
In August, the family-owned nursery was awarded a ‘Strong Standard’ rating in every area in its first OFSTED inspection.
To support its growth, the nursery has recruited three new members to the team, including an extra nursery assistant and two bank staff.
Opening hours have been extended with the nursery now available five days a week from 8am until 5pm, and more holiday clubs.
A second cabin has also been added to its woodland setting to ensure children can continue to explore, learn and play comfortably in all weathers.
Lauren Bailey, Nursery Manager at Dunky’s Forest School at Gulliver’s World, said: “We have had such a great response from families who love the truly unique and magical environment that is our Forest School, where their children are immersed in nature every day.
“Every day, our team works hard to provide a nurturing, stimulating and enriching environment where children can develop their confidence, independence and love for the outdoors.
“As our numbers have grown, so has our need for more staff, longer opening hours and more sheltered spaces for our children.
“This is a huge step forward for our setting and reflects just how much we have grown over the past two years.”
In its first OFSTED report, inspectors noted how ‘freely and confidently’ children explore in ‘this purposeful, enchanting and natural forest school environment’, that they ‘settle quickly into chosen activities’, ‘play happily and make many friends’ and ‘have a real sense of belonging’.
Staff are described as ‘enthusiastic’, provide ‘high-quality learning opportunities to capture children’s interests and imaginations’ and ‘provide a settled and calm environment in which children thrive’.
Children, including those with special educational needs or disabilities, are supported to ‘consistently take part in daily experiences’. They develop independence through well-established routines such as managing clothing and personal care. Younger children ‘explore textures and shapes through sensory experiences’ and older children explain their ideas as they play. Staff’s positive interactions and questioning ‘deepen children’s thinking and support sustained engagement’.
Dunky’s Day Nurseries & Forest Schools provide high-quality childcare across the North West. There are seven nurseries in the group, which was founded in 2005 by Siobhan McCarroll. She started her career as a nursery nurse before working up to become a manager and opening her first nursery.
Dunky’s Day Nursery & Forest School at Gulliver’s World caters for children aged 0 to 7 years old.
Dunky’s has nurseries in Culcheth, Farnworth, Great Sankey, Hapsford, Runcorn, Warrington and Gulliver’s World, and all have gained either ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ in OFSTED inspections.
