In this issue of Community Update, we are pleased to award Little Barn Owls for its Commitment to Excellence.
Little Barn Owls was founded in 2010 by Hayley Peacock, whose vision was to redefine early years education through creativity, emotional intelligence and a deep connection to nature. Her pioneering approach, inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, continues to guide the group’s practice and values today.
Based in West Sussex, with five nurseries located across the county, including its newest nursery in Midhurst – in which they are currently enrolling children in, each nursery shares the same ethos and pedagogical framework while embracing the individuality of its local community and environment.
Little Barn Owls excels in delivering exceptional early years education and care for children aged three months to five years; combining nurturing relationships with creative, nature-based learning. It is dedicated to developing emotional intelligence, curiosity and confidence in little learners, through child-led exploration and reflective teaching practice.
Little Barn Owls follows an enquiry-based learning approach inspired by the Infant-Toddler Centres and Preschools of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia in Italy. This unique approach to early learning rests on the premise that education is a right of all children.
At the heart of the approach is the powerful image of the child. Its educators do not see children as empty vessels that require filling with facts. Rather they see children as full of potential, competent and capable of building their own theories and testing them out to build knowledge for themselves.
The same level of methodological care is also extended to Little Barn Owls educators. Its Playbooks Training System provides embedded, in-house professional development—ensuring educators grow without leaving their classrooms. This leads to consistency, confidence, and exceptional quality of care.
We asked Kristie Dodd, Admissions and Recruitment Manager, how it felt to win the award,
“It’s an incredible honour that recognises the dedication and passion of our entire team. Every educator, mentor, and leader plays a vital role in creating exceptional experiences for children. This award is a celebration of their hard work, creativity, and unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Little Barn Owls offers a unique blend of outstanding education, highly trained staff and beautiful environments designed to inspire creativity and connection. Its Reggio Emilia philosophy, forest and farm school ethos and atelier-inspired spaces, set a new benchmark for excellence in early years education.
Little Barn Owls is not just a group of nurseries—it’s a community of educators and families united by a shared belief in the power of early learning.
For more on Little Barn Owls, see below:
01403 916505