"Our son started at Little Forest from the beginning of term, 2 days a week, and we are really pleased with how it's going. We know that he is in a very nurturing environment that enables his learning at his pace and expanding his interests and experiences on days that we need to work."

 - Parent - 

Information and Booking

Making an Informed Decision 

We are open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for 36 weeks in the year, including bank holidays, and fees are payable termly in advance.  Trial sessions and sibling discounts are also available. We are a consent based setting and the first choice that children have is whether they want to attend. Little Forest won't be right for every child, but it might be right for your child if they enjoy learning indoors and outdoors in all weathers, if they are social learners and want to collaborate with respect for others and if they want to direct their learning in a democratic community.   

• Mondays, 09:30 - 15:30: Adventure Days

• Tuesdays, 10:00 - 15:00: Forest Circles

• Thursdays, 09:30 - 15:30: Play and Projects

• Wrap around care may be arranged from the end of the day, up to 18:00. 

If you and your child are interested, we can arrange an initial phone call, then a visit, then a practice period before deciding whether to commit to a contract. 

Our Fees

Our fees pay for a high ratio of 1 facilitator for every 6 children, expertise in self directed, consent based and eco-democratic education, a nurturing and neurodivergent affirming environment, resources and rent for use of the hornbeam circle. Fees do not include lunch (your child needs to bring a packed lunch please) and they do not cover additional expenses such as travel and entrance tickets. 

Fees are payable half termly, 4 weeks in advance: 

• Learning community: £10 per hour (minimum booking 1 day per week)

• Wrap around care: £8 per hour

Sibling discount: We offer a 10% discount for two or more siblings when booking half termly, paid in advance. 

Help with Fees

We want a suitable education to be free at the point of delivery and accessible to every child, regardless of financial means. We know that school is not suitable for every child and yet home education and learning communities like ours are not funded by the Government meaning we need to charge fees in order to exist. 

Help with fees is available if you are on a low income, eligible for Tax Free Childcare or claim Universal Credit.  

Low Income 

We have initially created two places with reduced fees for families with a household income below £22,000 per year.  

• Learning community: £7 per hour (minimum booking 1 day per week)

• Wrap around care: £6 per hour

Tax Free Childcare 

Little Forest is registered as a Tax Free Childcare provider which will allow eligible families to claim 20% towards the cost of childcare. To check whether you are eligible for help with childcare costs, please see the Childcare Choices website. For help to set up Little Forest as a provider in your tax free childcare account, please email jen@littleforest.education. 

Universal Credit 

If you claim Universal Credit, you may be able to claim up to 85% towards the cost of childcare. Please talk to us for further details.  

Join Our Learning Community

Please email jen@littleforest.education to register your interest.

Term Time and Holiday Dates 2024

Our learning year runs from January to December. We have four terms (spring, summer, autumn and winter) and 6 'half' terms plus a long summer holiday. Many of our holiday dates are the same as local schools while some are different to allow families to holiday during quieter times. If you would like holiday provision, please talk to us. We may be able to offer holiday dates on an ad hoc basis.  

Children can join our learning community at any time.