The Forest School concept originated in Scandinavia and was then adopted in Denmark in the 1980’s as a solution to their lack of outdoor facilities for pre-school children. Forest Schools continues to gain a gradual increase in popularity in England.
Whilst many childcare settings have access to outdoor learning – to be classed as a Forest School entails a lot more.
The Forest School Association has six principles that enable a setting to be classed as a Forest School, these are;
- Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.
- Sessions take place in a woodland or natural wooded environment, to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
- They aim to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
- Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
- Run by qualified Forest School practitioners, who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
- They use a range of learner-centered processes to create a community for development and learning
Children’s House Nursery has secured Forest School sessions for our pre-school children at the Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus in Southwell.
If you’d like to find out more about our outdoor learning sessions for pre-school children, then call the nursery on 01636 378130 or email: admin@chsouthwell.co.uk.