Animals and Environment Beechoak Farm Montessori Pre-School is situated in picturesque countryside in the middle of Epping Forest, and was originally a goat farm consisting of three barns set in ten acres. In October 1996 Steve & Charlotte Crosby converted the barns. One has been divided into four classrooms, each with a separate toilet area, one of which has a shower and nappy changing facilities. A second barn has also been converted to provide another two classrooms and separate kitchen and eating area for the children. The third barn provides two offices, one for The Officer-in-Charge and one for the accounts clerk, June Harrison. We provide childcare for a total of 48 children at any one time, under the provisions of the Children's Act (1989), and as such the school is regularly monitored by OFSTED.

There is a large securely fenced outside playground divided between a hard surfaced area and a grassed area. Within these we have a large child sized activity climbing frame, play- houses, and sandpit. The outside area is set up differently each day to complement the children's natural desire to explore different equipment.

The grassed area also houses our vegetable patch which the children tend to each day. So far we have grown new potatoes, lettuce, carrots and marrows amongst other things! All of our produce is used during snack and meal times so the children can taste what they have grown! Situated on the rest of the farm we have a collection of dwarf farm animals, including Shetland Ponies, Minature donkeys, Pygmy goats, chickens and a rabbit. The children visit the animals regularly, helping to feed and pet them.