What is Forest School?
Forest School provides a unique and fun learning opportunity for our Pre-school children, which teaches them about the environment. Forest School provides stimulating, memorable and exciting experiences whilst helping them recognise the importance of being happy and healthy, staying safe, enjoying activities and making a positive contribution to the world around them.
Forest school gives our children the advantage of exploring the natural environment and using tools safely, supporting the children to be in tune with nature and satisfy their curiosity.
About the sessions
These sessions are planned by qualified staff who have extensive knowledge of outdoor learning and the benefits this can bring. Sessions take place twice weekly in a designated area adjacent to the outdoor play area. Forest School gives children a fabulous opportunity for active outdoor play and discovery. It focuses on allowing children to explore and develop their social, physical, intellectual, creative skills and supports lifelong learning.
Wellbeing is the foundation of our practice
The children are provided with waterproof outfits, keeping them warm and dry while they build dens or find fairy houses in the trees. Other activities that take place are mini beast hunting, planting, and cooking with ingredients the children have grown, such as garlic.
An essential feature of Forest School is allowing children to manage their own risks under supervision. All this contributes to the children’s awareness of the world around them, teaching them skills for life.
At the end of each session there is a time to review and reflect, checking in on the experiences and emotions of each child, sharing and acknowledging everyone’s contributions and valuing that each child is unique. This time also gives the children the time and space that they need to communicate within a smaller group. Wellbeing is the foundation of our practice and through recognising the social, emotional and physical needs of the children, we provide the guidance required for our time in nature.