Outdoor nursery schools

[Ingling]

Hi there
New to this site, been living abroad. Wanted people's views about "forest schools" as we were nearly caught out by signing our 2 boys up with one in south-east London. Very expensive, but turns out it is acting illegally as it is not registered with Ofsted. The owner seems pretty creepy: happy to take our money but won't send us a brochure and wouldn't give us information about insurance, which is when we became suspicious. What's going on here?

That sounds bad...there are plenty here in cornwall. I've taken my toddler to a nature kindie day they do and seems very much above board. Staff very happy to discuss quals and experience. Its Ofsted registered and can be used for funded places.
I think you met a bad egg sadly. I hope you find the right place

It has to be OFSTED registered even if it hasn’t yet been inspected.

I'm fairly certain that for them to qualify for funded places they have to be Ofsted inspected at good or outstanding level

I would check with the local council, they should know about any legally operating settings.

@happystory -
Unbelievably the local council say it''s "not within their remit" to check credentials before giving permission. They say the school's owner "has applied to Ofsted", but frankly I doubt he ever intends to as he knows he would fail. I just don't know what to do to warn people against this charlatan! Do I have to go to the police?

Have you reported directly to OFSTED?