WELCOME TO BARK HOLLOW CHILDMINDING! where Nature nurtures childhood

If you're looking for something truly different, a place where your child can grow, thrive, and explore freely, welcome to Bark Hollow, a unique childcare setting nestled in the Yorkshire countryside.

At Bark Hollow, children from 3 months to school age are more than just cared for, they're understood, supported, and inspired. Our dedicated team of experienced childminders and assistants follow a gentle parenting approach, offering personalised, compassionate care that nurtures emotional wellbeing and builds lasting trust with every child. 

Rooted in the Forest School ethos, we believe the best classroom has no walls. Children here learn through experiences, climbing, building, crafting, cooking, and discovering the world around them. With nature as our guide, every day becomes an opportunity to build confidence, spark curiosity, and develop resilience.

What Makes Bark Hollow So Special?
We don’t just go outside, we live outside. Rain, sunshine, frost, or fog, we embrace every season with open arms (and warm, waterproof gear). Children learn to love the outdoors in a way that’s deeply connected and empowering.
We follow each child’s lead, encouraging curiosity and independence. Whether it’s building dens, investigating bugs, or climbing trees, every day is shaped by their imagination and interests.
From using real tools and cooking over open fires to caring for animals, our children build confidence, resilience, and practical life skills in a safe, supportive environment.
We have a warm, welcoming indoor space is a calm haven for creative play, cosy reading, and messy fun designed to bring the outside in when the weather calls for it.
Our passionate, highly qualified team brings a wealth of experience in early years and outdoor education. We create a safe, supportive setting where every child is known, valued, and encouraged to thrive.

Curriculum & Learning Approach
At Bark Hollow, our approach to learning is rooted in nature, curiosity, and the individual needs of each child. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, using it as a flexible guide to support all areas of early development from communication and language to physical skills, emotional wellbeing, and early literacy and numeracy.

Our curriculum is child-led and play-based, meaning we follow each child's interests, pace, and natural curiosity. We believe the most meaningful learning happens when children are engaged, motivated, and free to explore the world around them. Whether they’re climbing, investigating bugs, or storytelling around the fire pit, every moment is an opportunity for discovery and growth.

We incorporate Forest School principles into our day, fostering resilience, independence, and confidence through hands-on experiences in nature. Risk-taking is safely supported and encouraged, helping children learn to assess and manage challenges in a controlled, nurturing environment.

Our team thoughtfully plans activities and environments that inspire creativity, encourage problem-solving, and promote social development while always leaving space for spontaneous, child-led play. We also build in reflective observation, ensuring each child’s learning journey is documented, supported, and celebrated.

At Bark Hollow, education isn’t confined to four walls it’s woven into every leaf turned, puddle jumped, and question asked. Our goal is to raise happy, capable, and connected little humans who are confident in themselves and the world around them.

Thoughtfully Designed Spaces to Explore
Our fully secure 2.5-acre site is bursting with opportunities for adventure and imagination, our outdoor space is a haven for adventure, creativity, and discovery. Children can immerse themselves in mud kitchens, build dens, and explore winding nature trails. Fire pit sessions bring warmth and connection, while climbing zones and wild crafts encourage physical challenge and hands-on learning. With seasonal play that shifts and evolves alongside the natural world, every day at Bark Hollow offers something new to explore and enjoy.

While we love the great outdoors,our cosy, heated indoor base is the perfect retreat when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Thoughtfully designed to bring the outside in, it’s a warm and welcoming space filled with natural textures and calming tones. Inside, children can explore a variety of rooms tailored for creativity and play — from hands-on crafts and messy play to soft play zones and snug cosy corners for quiet moments.

Seasonal Adventures All Year Round
From springtime puddle jumping to cosy winter campfire stories, every season brings fresh wonders to discover. Our team embraces these changes with joy and care, guiding children through the rhythms of the year while nurturing independence, resilience, and a deep love for the natural world.

Delicious Food & Full Tummies
We keep our little adventurers well-fuelled with wholesome breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and healthy snacks throughout the day. We’re happy to accommodate dietary preferences or allergies just let us know. Alternatively, you're welcome to provide a packed lunch if preferred. We're also excited to grow our own fruit and vegetables on-site with the children. They’ll be hands-on in the garden, learning where food comes from and helping us harvest ingredients to incorporate into our meals making healthy eating a fun and meaningful part of their day.

Opening Hours & School Drop-Offs
We’re open Monday to Thursday from 7:30am to 6:00pm, offering flexible, full-day care to support busy families. We also provide a before and after school drop-off and pick-up service from Pool-in-Wharfedale Primary School, making the transition between school and Bark Hollow smooth and stress-free. Whether your child is with us for the whole day or part of it, they’ll have plenty of time to explore, play, and thrive in our nature-rich setting.

Experienced & Passionate Team
At the heart of Bark Hollow is our dedicated team of highly qualified and experienced staff. With backgrounds in early years education, forest schooling, and outdoor learning, our practitioners bring a wealth of knowledge, care, and enthusiasm to every day. We are passionate about child-led learning, nurturing each child’s unique strengths while providing a safe, supportive environment where they can flourish. 

Settling-In Process
We understand that starting at a new setting can be a big step for both children and parents, which is why we provide a warm, supportive settling-in process to ensure everyone feels at ease.

Our approach is flexible and tailored to each child’s needs, allowing them to transition at their own pace. We offer 6 hours settling-in sessions free of charge where children can gradually explore the environment, meet their new friends, and become familiar with our daily routines and you can split your 6 hours to work for you.

Our experienced team works closely with parents to understand any special needs, preferences, or comfort strategies that will help their child feel safe and secure. Whether it's a favourite toy, a special routine, or a gentle introduction to a new activity, we ensure that every child is supported as they settle in. We also believe in open communication and keep parents updated throughout the process, offering regular check-ins and feedback to ensure both child and family feel confident and supported. We are always available to answer any questions, address concerns, or provide guidance as needed, making sure that both children and parents feel part of the Bark Hollow community from day one. By taking the time to gently and thoughtfully introduce new children to our setting, we help create a positive, trusting foundation for their learning and development.

Policies & Safeguarding
At Bark Hollow, the safety and well-being of every child in our care is our top priority. We are committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and nurturing environment for all children, staff, and families. Our comprehensive safeguarding procedures ensure that every child is protected and supported at all times. We have robust safeguarding policies in place, in line with current regulations, to prevent and respond to any concerns. These policies are designed to provide clear guidance on how we protect children from harm, including child protection and online safety.

In addition to safeguarding, we have carefully considered policies covering health & safety, illness, behaviour management, and equal opportunities. These policies ensure that all children are treated with respect, supported in their development, and are cared for in a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment.

For your peace of mind, all of our policies are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they align with best practices. We are happy to share our full set of policies with you upon request.

Fees & Funding
At Bark Hollow, we strive to offer excellent value for the care and learning your child will experience. Our fees are designed to be fair and transparent, reflecting the high quality of care and educational opportunities we provide. For detailed information on our fee structure, please contact us directly, and we'll be happy to discuss options that best suit your family's needs.

Government Funding
We are pleased to offer 30 hours funded term time childcare for children aged 9 months to 4 years, available from the term after they turn 9 months old until they reach school age. This funding is available to eligible working parents, and we are happy to guide you through the application process.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help.

Additional Financial Support
In addition to government funding, we also accept Childcare Vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare payments. For more details on these options or if you'd like assistance in understanding them, please contact us directly.

Contact & Enrollment Info

We’d love to hear from you and help you learn more about Bark Hollow. Whether you have questions, want to arrange a visit, or are ready to register your child, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. To get in touch, simply send us an email at hello@barkhollow.co.uk or call us at Amy 07935186244 or Nic 07850477708. If you’d like to see our beautiful setting in person, we’d be happy to schedule a show around just let us know a time that works for you!

We’re here to help make the process as smooth and easy as possible. Spaces are limited to keep our setting small, warm, and family-focused.We look forward to welcoming you and your child to the Bark Hollow family.