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We pride ourselves on being the local pioneer’s of Forest School which is an inspirational experience. We were the first in the area to recognise Forest School and what it can bring to offer children the opportunity to achieve and develop confidence through hands-on learning in a woodland environment. The Forest School concept originated in Scandinavia and the nursery owner’s travelled to Norway to explore the full Forest School experience and after extensive training started the first Forest School in the area in 2009. Our Forest School site is based in Mortimer West End where we have access to over 4 acres of beautiful woodland, which is completely enclosed this allows the children to explore the whole site independently. Forest School is a life enriching experience for children, which allows them to nurture nature and gives them a lifelong passion for being outdoors.
Forest School is a unique way of building independence and self esteem in children. It improves motivation, concentration and encourages children to be active, it is often child initiated and child led.
It is believed that repeated visits to a woodland setting with trusted, familiar adults allows the children to experience a different way of learning.
“Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults regular opportunities to achieve, and develop confidence through hands-on learning in a woodland environment”
(Forest Education Initiative 2005).
In the warmer months, we spend the whole morning at the site, approx 10am-1pm. The children have a mid morning snack and drink on site. We also have a picnic lunch which is great fun for the children. In the colder months, weather permitting we still visit the site, but for shorter periods. We will still visit in light rain and snow for the children to experience the different weather elements. Though we would not take the children to the site in heavy rain, fog and extreme cold.
We allow children to get muddy and to play. We teach them to take care of the environment by respecting animals and insects and their homes, and thinking before we take something away from the wood.
They attend in small groups of 12-13 with a minimum of three adults present. This high adult / child ratio is fundamental to being able to observe a child and allow them to participate in challenging activities, but with a low risk of harm.
Please see attached a lovely article written by a journalist who wanted to experience Forest School with her daughter: https://www.daynurseries.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1611362/forest-school-experiment-how-my-tidy-preschooler-went-feral-for-the-day
