Open all year round
Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm. We're open 50 weeks of the year, closing only on bank holidays and for two weeks over Christmas.
Welcome to Little Sticks Forest School
Wild days. Muddy boots. Big smiles.
A fully outdoor Forest School where children from 2 years old climb, build, explore and lead their own learning in our very own woodlands, either side of Wigan in Aspull and Billinge.
Exciting news
Exciting news: Little Sticks is coming to Hoghton!
We're delighted to announce that our third site, Little Sticks Forest School at Hoghton, will open in Summer 2027 in the grounds of Hoghton Tower, between Preston and Blackburn – perfect for families across Preston, Blackburn and the surrounding areas. It will bring the same fully outdoor, child-led Forest School experience that families already enjoy at Aspull and Greenslate.
Register your interest today, choosing Hoghton as your preferred site, and we'll keep you updated as our plans progress.
Where little explorers grow
We are a fully outdoor Forest School, open since April 2021, welcoming children from 2 years old. Every day is an adventure: real tools, crackling campfires, woodland walks and endless room to play.
We now have two sites, with a third on the way:
- Little Sticks Aspull sits in the grounds of Aspull Rugby Club, handy for Wigan, Bolton and the surrounding areas. It is rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted (inspected 4 August 2023).
- Little Sticks Greenslate opened in May 2024 in the grounds of Greenslate Community Farm in Billinge. Ofsted Inspection report: 1 July 2026. Achievement: Expected standard; Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Expected standard; Children’s welfare and wellbeing: Expected standard; Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard; Inclusion: Expected standard; Leadership and governance: Expected standard. Safeguarding standards met. Read the Ofsted inspection report (PDF) (view on Ofsted’s website).
- Little Sticks Forest School at Hoghton opens in Summer 2027 in the grounds of Hoghton Tower.
Come and see us! Our settings are relaxed and friendly, and we'd love to show you around.
Little Sticks Aspull: Outstanding (Ofsted, 4 August 2023)What Ofsted said about Little Sticks Aspull
“Children excel at the forest school setting and get off to the best possible start in life.”
“Parents speak extremely highly of the setting… Parents feel supported by the staff and happy to leave their children in their care.”
“Safeguarding at the setting is highly effective.”
Ofsted, Little Sticks Forest School (Aspull), August 2023. Read the full report (PDF) (view on Ofsted’s website)
What Ofsted said about Little Sticks Greenslate
“Children arrive eager to be with their friends in this woodland setting.”
“Leaders and staff build warm and nurturing relationships with the children.”
“Due to leaders’ well-considered ways of assessing and managing risks, children are confident, adventurous and sensible, such as when they climb trees.”
“They are passionate about providing a fully outdoor education for children.”
“Children grow their own fruit and vegetables in the setting’s allotment.”
“Leaders place children at the heart of all decisions they make.”
All six areas: “Expected standard”. Safeguarding standards met.
Ofsted inspection report, 1 July 2026. Read the full report (PDF) (view on Ofsted’s website)
What parents say
“Little Sticks Forest School provides education that engages my child and he learns something new every day. The experiences and resources they provide are ones that he can’t get anywhere else. The staff go above and beyond for the children and their families. The weekly report the family receive is so detailed and seeing photographs of your child learning is wonderful to be able to be a part of their world. We can’t say enough about how amazing Little Sticks is for our child.”
“Little Sticks is amazing! The staff are incredible and really helped my daughter settle in well, I can see how much her physical development has improved being in the outdoors and she has made so many friends here. Would definitely recommend!”
“Couldn’t be happier with Little Sticks Forest School. The staff are absolutely amazing, caring, patient and genuinely passionate about what they do. It’s wonderful to see how much confidence my little boy has gained whilst learning through outdoor play and becoming a true forest schooler. … Communication with parents is fantastic, and it’s lovely seeing all the photos and updates from his daily adventures. I feel so lucky to have found Little Sticks and would recommend it to anyone looking for a nurturing, inspiring and unique environment for their child.”
“Both my children have been well cared for at their time at Little Sticks and I will be very sad they are no longer attending when they are both at school! I would recommend them to anyone looking for an outdoors childcare provider.”
“This forest school has brought so much confidence to our children. The staff are amazing, the setting is beautiful and I couldn’t think of anywhere better to give the children the time to play and be free.”
“Little Sticks has been the best start we could have hoped for … From day one they have been welcomed with love and patience. Both boys have come home happy, muddy and full of stories every single day. … You have given our boys so much confidence and so many happy memories. We cannot recommend Little Sticks enough to any parent who wants their children to learn, laugh and occasionally bring home half the forest.”
“The best forest school! Highly recommend to every little child who has the opportunity to go. The positive impact of being outdoors in nature with the nurturing staff are amazing.”
Funded places
We offer all types of funding, including 2-year-old funding (15 and 30 hours), 3- and 4-year-old funding (15 and 30 hours), Tax-Free Childcare and childcare vouchers. We can claim funding from the day your child turns 2, provided you have a valid funding code from the start of the term in which they turn 2.
Warm, dry and cosy
Heated indoor cabins at both our Aspull and Greenslate sites help the children stay warm and dry in really wet and cold weather, so the fun never stops.
Ready for an adventure?
Funded places are available for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds. Get in touch to find out more or to book a visit.