Admissions
Limited places, unlimited childhood
This might surprise you: most of our babies are signed up before they’ve entered the world. Not because it’s a trend but because places are intentionally limited and often secured well in advance.
Our group sizes are deliberately small, our rhythms slow, and our attention deep. We never expand numbers to meet demand. Instead, we protect the experience, relationships and quality that make Little Wild Tribe what it is. As a result, many families choose to begin their journey with us during pregnancy.
Fees and funding
Quality matters
High-quality early education is one of the most important investments a society can make in its children and families. Who looks after your child matters. The quality of staff. The quality of leadership. The level of qualifications. The specialist knowledge. The enhanced staffing ratios. The evidence-based approach. Doing what’s right, rather than what’s easiest. Or cheapest. Of putting children first. Always.
These things are not accidental. These things are not free. They require ongoing investment, highly trained professionals, careful staffing structures, continuous professional development, and a sustainable operating model that protects both children and the dedicated staff caring for them.
Broken Britain: a funding crisis
The government proudly claim to provide ‘free childcare’ while aware that the current funding rates do not reflect the real cost of delivering high quality early years provision.
“While we fully agree that families should be able to access early entitlement hours without facing additional costs, in reality, years of underfunding has made this absolutely impossible for the vast majority of nurseries, pre-schools and childminders.”Neil Leitch, Early Years Alliance CEO 2026
The early years sector is financially stretched to breaking point. The funding is only designed to cover the core EYFS, and even at that, it is not reflective of rising wages, NI increases, SSP from day one, soaring business rates and utilities. It does not cover meals and snacks, consumables and specialist activities. We have already seen so many wonderful early years settings close their doors. Because quality costs.
“There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.”Nelson Mandela
At Little Wild Tribe, we have signed an open complaint letter to the DfE which provides much more information about this funding crisis.
Premium, private, purpose-driven
At Little Wild Tribe, we are unapologetic in our approach. We are proud to offer an intentionally designed and specialist, relationship-led, nature-based early years provision that goes significantly beyond the minimum statutory standards. We believe that the earliest years of life deserve far more than just ‘childcare’. Little Wild Tribe isn’t just childcare, it’s a private and safe sanctuary for childhood where nature, nurture and belonging grow wild, free and strong.
Little Wild Tribe offers separate pathways for families including our all-inclusive membership package and government funded places that are delivered in accordance with Essex requirements, free with no mandatory additional charges. Detailed information regarding fees, funding patterns, optional services and admissions procedures is available within our Fees & Funding Guide.
The Fun-damentals
The everyday questions, answered.
Opening hours
Little Wild Tribe is open Monday to Friday for 50 weeks of the year, offering two options to support family life:
Full Day: 8.00am – 6.00pm
Shorter Day: 8.30am – 4.00pm
Breakfast and/or dinner sessions can be added onto a shorter day booking. Please note that we do not offer term-time only options and there is a two-day minimum attendance requirement.
What age do you take?
We welcome children from 7 months old until they reach compulsory school age at 5. Many families secure their place during pregnancy to ensure availability.
What we eat
We are big believers that what children eat matters. Our menus provide nutritious, balanced food that is tasty, locally sourced, freshly prepared and served on site. As a result of the work that we do with our nutrition team, our menus are in accordance with the Children’s Food Trust guidelines and we are able to effectively cater for most allergies.
Sleep
The children who regularly nap are given time and space to sleep, with a range of safe sleeping options being made available, in line with the safe sleep charity, The Lullaby Trust. These sleeping options are agreed with the parents to reflect the needs of the individual child. For those children who get a little sleepy while down in the woods, we provide cosy tents, hammocks and sleeping bags for a blissful nap in the fresh air.
Toileting
Basecamp at the lodge is fully kitted out with everything you could think of, with our toilet block right next to the log cabin. In our Little Wild Wood, we have a sheltered and private compost toilet, potty facilities, as well as our nappy changing tent and hand washing station. We take hygiene very seriously and follow all sensible precautions.
The small print
We know policies and paperwork are rarely the most exciting part of choosing a nursery, but they are important. Before accepting a place, all families are asked to read and agree to our full Terms and Conditions, which outline important information relating to fees, notice periods, funding, attendance, safeguarding, health and safety, and our responsibilities to one another. Our policies are designed to protect children, families and staff, and to ensure that Little Wild Tribe remains a safe, fair and positive community for everyone.
Join the waiting list
We know that choosing the right place for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. Our places are intentionally limited and are often reserved well in advance, with many families choosing to join our waiting list during pregnancy.
Completing the form below is the first step in your journey with us. Tell us a little about your family.
Tell us about your family
What happens next?
- We will confirm receipt of your enquiry.
- We’ll contact you to discuss availability and your preferred start date.
- Families are invited to visit and experience Little Wild Tribe in person.
- Should a suitable place become available, we will guide you through the registration process.
A note on availability
Our community is intentionally small and places are limited. Joining the waiting list does not guarantee a place, but it ensures we can keep you informed about future availability. We look forward to getting to know your family.