Forest SchoolForest School

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Rubery Children’s CentreRubery Children’s Centre

Nursery SchoolNursery School

Forest School

By providing a child with the space and time to think in a natural environment, with open-ended child-led activities and a secure area, Forest School is an ideal learning environment for all.

A Forest School Leader will introduce activities and then act as a facilitator in order for children to explore the area following their own interests.

A Forest School Session

Getting ready – wet weather gear and wellies

Rules at the site

STOP

DON’T PICK

DON’T LICK

Have FUN!

Drink and snack

Why go to the Forest?

Self confidence

Collaboration

Exploration

Independence

Risk taking

Physical skills

At least 2 pairs of socks

A pair of wellies

A thick waterproof coat

A change of clothes (named)

Hats, scarves and gloves/ sunhats

What the Children will need

Here the Children are using branches to reach the top of the tree

Here the Children are developing their physical skills by balancing and stepping across the log circle

The Children are exploring a muddy puddle using branches and sticks. The children are working together.

The Children enjoyed investigating the snow during the winter.

The Children work collaboratively to make dens in the forest using natural materials and tarpaulin .

We have lots of fun playing and exploring in the Forest School even in the rain.

Carrying large branches can be a challenge . The Children need to develop their co ordination .

Here we can see Children sitting and wallowing in the mud. These Children were keen to explore the texture of the mud and then went on to mark make using sticks and also their wellies.

The Children are using all their senses to enjoy nature. We encourage them to describe and talk about what they can see, feel and smell.

The forest school enables children to form friendships with others whilst enjoying the beautiful environment.

A member of staff is supporting the children as they hunt for insects under the logs. The children are taught to return the log and to care and respect the homes of these creatures with which we share our forest school.

These two Children are having to work collaboratively to move the branch.

The Children need to communicate with each other and work as a team to achieve their goal.

They are also refining their physical skills.

There is never any hurry in Forest School . We encourage the children to stop and be still and look and listen to what they can see and hear. This little boy was fascinated by the clouds in the sky.

There is lots of open space in our Forest School, We can take large groups of Children at a time. Many of our Children live in flats and do not have access to a garden.

Here we are enjoying a large group game of hide and seek.

Sometimes we invite parents to come to forest school so they understandmore about it and become very involved learning partners.

Exploring animal habitats under a log pile.

Here is a parent working alongside her child making bark rubbings.

This child is using a magnifying glass to look at the tiny insect she has found on this tree trunk.

Our forest is a wonderful place to encourage imaginative role play. These old logs have become a bus.

We end each session with a song Find a stick and tap on a log.