Forest School
The Forest School concept originated in Scandinavia and aims to give children all the benefits of being outdoors in nature as well as building skills and independence. Children learn to take reasonable risks, make decisions, and build confidence. All the activities on offer support the Early Years Foundation Stage, particularly understanding the world, expressive arts, communication and language and personal development. Often the activities allow us to facilitate learning numbers, shapes, and letters, within a relaxed and child led environment.
Ducklings are delighted to offer daily Forest School sessions - weather permitting - in a dedicated outdoor area on the Ducklings Preschool site. All children have the opportunity to participate in Forest School courses and each week we have a new theme for activities.
Typical sessions will include den building, making potions, making journey sticks, bug hunting, scavenger hunts, calico leaf printing and much more. There is also ample time for free play just to explore and be in the natural environment. Children are always encouraged to care for and respect the environment and the animals which live there.
Forest School sessions are run by our setting staff and it is our aim that all children participate, if they want to, at least 2-3 times each half term. This can be more or less depending on each child's attendance. In addition to our standard policies and risk assessments there is a folder of risk assessments specifically for Forest School which parents are welcome to read.
