We’ve run Forest School at Castle Lane Day Nursery since 2018. We know that children love to be outside and the forest school ethos is a fantastic fit with the Castle Lane’s child centred approach.
But how safe is this wonderful learning environment for young children? In this article, we explore some of your most frequently asked questions about this popular outdoor provision.
What is a forest school?
A forest school is a learner-led learning environment in an outdoor, natural woodland setting, led by a qualified practitioner.
The Forest School Association defines it as “a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.”
What is the aim of a forest school?
Forestschools.com see the aim of forest school to “encourage and inspire individuals of any age to through positive outdoor experiences.”
This is done through learner-led, nature based exploration, which aims to develop personal, social and emotional skills.
Not every child has access to the open countryside on a regular basis, which means they miss out on exploring natural surroundings, in all weathers.
At Castle Lane Forest School, we are therefore passionate about every child being able to access this for themselves.
Who decides what happens each day at forest school?
At Castle Lane, we believe in unstructured play (as opposed to a type of play), where for example, children might choose to engage in open-ended play with no specific learning outcome.
Perhaps most importantly, unstructured play is not instructor-led, so our children are free to explore without direction – unless of course they ask for our input!
How does Castle Lane Forest School work?
Castle Lane’s Forest School, which opened in September 2018, is located on a private estate near the village of Marston Trussell in Market Harborough.
Morning sessions are run from 8am until 1pm during the week.
The Forest School itself is made up of a clearing, complete with a tent and camping toilets plus handwashing facilities.
We have a Fire Circle and a Tool Circle as well as a ‘physical area’ comprising a fallen tree for the children to climb on if they wish. This area is deliberately dynamic in that it can change in appearance over time. For example, there was a swing up for a while. And then a bridge. It develops as the children want it to.
There is also an area with a shed which just contains tools such as bow saws, hammers and screwdrivers, which we can use on the timber. This is carried out under supervision in our Tool Circle.
We also have an extremely popular mud kitchen, as well as a den building area – complete with a slack line between the trees for balancing on to encourage gross motor development.
Then of course, there’s the surrounding area: 4 or 5 acres in total, which we might explore to look for traces of animals e.g. badger footprints.
And that’s it! The rest we leave up to your child’s imagination.
What will my child do at Castle Lane Forest School?
One of our biggest aims is that your child has fun each day at Forest School. We might hunt for bugs to identify, as well as fungi and flowers. Or we could be taking a walk in the local area to identify different species of trees.
The children learn how to safely put food on the campfire, taking an active involvement in making their own snacks.
They also burn off a lot of energy in the physical area. They might be climbing a fallen log one minute or sitting quietly, engaging in some crafts the next.
What are the educational benefits of Castle Lane Forest School?
As well as a greater appreciation of the outdoors and how to protect it better, which we believe is so important for today’s children, your child will also develop their:
- gross and fine motor skills
- core strength
- social skills
- team work
- problem solving
- resilience
- emotional intelligence
- imagination
- love of the outdoors, come rain or shine
How qualified are the staff involved in the Castle Lane Forest School?
It is an insurance requirement that at least one member of staff on site has completed Level 3 Forest School training, which is a leadership qualification.
Forest School staff are trained to use the campfire and all tools safely.
In addition to this, staff are trained in paediatric first aid, with a specific focus on outdoor activities.
How safe is it for my child to use tools at forest school?
The use of all tools, including bow saws and hammers, is comprehensively risk assessed. We have a designated area for the use of these tools, known as the Tool Circle. Children can only access this area if there is a trained member of staff present. This message is reinforced with every child at the start of each session.
Tools are used under one to one supervision.
How are children kept safe near the fire?
The Fire Circle is a designated area which the children are reminded each session that they are only allowed to access if a member of staff is already present.
We work closely with the children long before they even see this area so that they clearly understand rules around it very early on – such as one entrance in and one exit out of the fire circle.
What is the ‘respect position’?
The ‘respect position’ is a stable kneeling posture used by all children at the Castle Lane Forest School. It’s a posture where one knee is on the ground and the other foot is planted firmly, allowing for stability and quick movement in case of fire or when using tools.
It provides a secure base for activities like tending a fire or using a saw, and it is taught to children to promote safety by ensuring they can react quickly to potential hazards.
Do you cook lunch at forest school?
Environmental Health requirements means that we don’t provide lunch in the Forest School setting. However, we do make toast and crumpets with the children.
Marshmallows are forbidden for children under the age of 5 as they present a choking hazard.
Does forest school close if it’s raining or windy?
They say that there is no such thing as bad weather – just inappropriate clothing!
If it’s pouring down, naturally, it is important that the children’s basic needs are met before any higher learning can take place. This means that the children need to be kept warm and cosy, by wearing clothing appropriate for the weather conditions.
It also means that they need to be kept fed with healthy snacks and hydrated with water at all times.
They also need to feel safe.
So rain won’t stop play. Or sunshine. But should the wind pick up, we naturally put safety first and leave the site just in case of falling branches.
How is risk managed at forest school?
We closely look at all risks, weighing up benefit alongside risk. For example, if it’s slippery underfoot because it’s been raining, we won’t necessarily stop the children from climbing – but we might get them to hold hands when they do and focus on improving their team work.
Risk is ever present but we work closely with each child to help them mitigate it.
Can a child with additional needs attend forest school?
Absolutely! Children with additional needs are more than welcome to attend forest school. Depending on the child’s requirements, Castle Lane can apply for additional inclusion funding for one on one supervision.
Can forest school build emotional intelligence as well as physical skills?
It is know that spending time in a forest school can help your child to develop their emotional intelligence; build resilience and learn how to take risks in a supportive environment. This is done through activities such as bug hunting, making mud pies, playing with sticks, using tools and even lighting fires!
How does forest school help children to be environmentally friendly?
Forest school teaches children the value of protecting the environment around them and taking positive steps to keep it safe for future generations. This includes for example, developing an awareness about the importance of recycling.
How can I sign up my child to attend The Castle Lane Forest School?
Any child over the age of 3 is eligible – and welcome – to attend the Castle Lane Forest School. They don’t have to attend our Pre-school Room to attend the forest school.
Can my child attend the Forest School as part of the Castle Lane Holiday Club?
Yes! For limited weeks during the Easter holidays and Summer holidays, we open up the Forest School to children on holiday from school. As you might imagine, this provision is extremely popular and places book up very fast.
Can I visit Forest School to learn more?
Visits to the site can be arranged for parents by the office. Please get in touch to learn more.
