Our baby started at Small Oaks when he was one year old, and from the very first viewing I was incredibly impressed. I was looking for a very specific setting – forest school values, small class sizes, healthy food, plenty of outdoor play, days out and Small Oaks ticked every box.

When Theo started, we felt so supported. We received constant updates and photos, and Kate and the team would often reply within five minutes. As a nervous first-time mum, this made such a difference and really put me at ease.

Now, he walks straight in with a smile on his face, and the changes we’ve seen in him have been amazing. Within just one month at Small Oaks, he was feeding himself independently with a spoon at only 13 months old. He absolutely loves singing nursery rhymes, and at 16 months he can sing The Wheels on the Bus, Wind the Bobbin Up and more, complete with all the actions. He constantly surprises us with his knowledge and understanding of so many things.

A moment that truly amazed us was counting with him and hearing him join in at just 16 months old. It was such a proud, unexpected moment and a real testament to the learning and encouragement he receives at Small Oaks.

Kate and the entire team are truly passionate about early years education, and it shines through in everything they do. We feel incredibly lucky that our baby attends a nursery that feels like a home from home and is so perfectly aligned with our values as a family.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication