Welcome - Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery

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.

*** Important dates for your diary***

2024/2025

Nursery Summer closure (includes 1 week staff training): Monday 28 July – Friday 15 August inclusive

2025/2026

Monday 18 August 2025 – start of new nursery year for children
Friday 14 November 2025 – staff training day (nursery closed for children)
Friday 19 December – last day of nursery before Winter closure
Monday 22 December 2025 – Friday 2 Jan 2026 inclusive – Winter closure
Monday 5 January 2026 – first day of nursery in 2026
Wednesday 11 February 2026 – staff training day (nursery closed for children)
Friday 24 July 2026 – end of nursery year for children
Monday 27 July 2026 – Friday 14 August 2026 – Summer closure, including staff training week

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