Welcome to the Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery
About the Secret Garden
Based in a 25 acre woodland in Fife, we run a pioneering childcare service, entirely out of doors all year round. Established since 2008 we also offer practitioner workshops where we share our unique and highly acclaimed philosophy with people from all over the world.
*In the Woods Workshop for Early Years Professionals*
Our flagship workshop is a fully immersive experience for adults who will be introduced to the nursery’s guiding principles: Presence, Nature, Play. Experience the woodland environment as the children do, spend time observing the children at play, be introduced to our Nature as Teacher curriculum and of course take part in rich discussion. It’s a day spent delving into the Secret Garden’s ethos and way of being and we hope you can join us.
The workshop runs from 9.30am – 4.30pm and costs £100 per participant, discount for groups and students are available. Please contact us at enquiries@secretgardenoutdoor-nursery.co.uk for further details and booking.
*** Important dates for your diary**
2026/2027
- Friday 13 November 2026: Staff Training day – nursery closed for children *please make alternative arrangements*
- Monday 21 December 2026 – Friday 1 January 2027: Winter closure
- Wednesday 10 February 2027: Staff Training day – nursery closed for children *please make alternative arrangements*
INSPECTION RESULTS
We had an unannounced Care Inspectorate inspection during May 2023. The inspector looked at the following quality statement indicators and gave the following grades:
- How good is our care, play and learning? 5 Very Good
- How good is our setting? 5 Very Good
- How good is our leadership? 5 Very Good
- How good is our staff team? 5 Very Good
In a previous inspection during December 2022, we received a grade 3 (adequate) due to the Care Inspectorate having an increased focus on hand washing since the COVID pandemic. We quickly put their recommendations into place and we were signed off shortly afterwards as meeting the requirement.
Prior to this we were visited in July 2021. The inspector looked at the following quality statement indicator and gave the grade below;
- Quality of care during the COVID-19 pandemic 5 Very Good
Testimonials
“The rosy cheeks and wonderful energy our son comes home with following a day in the woods is just the best. Adventure and wonder radiate out of him! He gains so much from his experiences in the woods, with the support of a wonderful team of attuned, nurturing and insightful staff. Our experience of Secret Garden has been a beautiful one and we are so thankful for all that you do!”
Hannah Bunce – Parent
“Rory loves the secret garden. The staff are excellent and help the children explore the forest and make the most of being outdoors. Rory seems to like it even better when it’s raining – which is nice to see as a parent because your first instinct is to bring them inside! If I could we would send him for the whole week! I thoroughly recommend sending your children here!”
Ben Milnes – Parent
“On his first day he went up the hill a shy toddler and came down the hill a little boy. He had grown an inch and looked like he owned the world”
Tansy Torkington – Parent