FAQs

What kinds of risk and challenge activities will my child be exposed to? And how do you ensure they are as safe as possible?

Children need to be exposed to certain risks to be able to develop the skills necessary to problem solve and refine fine motor (small muscle groups) and gross motor (large muscle groups) skills. There is, obviously, natural risk that comes with outdoor learning. This tends to be things like; rough or slippery terrain, falling from objects that have been climbed on and the weather itself. We see each of these as teachable moments, allowing children to assess their own risk within a safe environment. We also encourage the use of tools and from time to time use fires as a way of staying warm/cooking. All of these activities are assessed to ensure that they are as safe as reasonably possible and all staff who lead these activities are Forest School trained. relevant First Aid certificate.

Will I need to pack a lunch for my child?

Absolutely not. We provide breakfast, snack, a hearty lunch and an afternoon tea included in the full day price for each child, and snack times are included in morning and afternoon sessions. Children will be involved in the process of preparing for mealtimes and may even grow, tend to, harvest and cook their own fruits and vegetables. Please see our menus for more details.

Will my child be ready for school?

Just like any other early years setting, we constantly observe and assess your child whilst engaged in play and compare their progress to the EYFS (early years foundation stage) we just happen to use natural resources and nature to do so. All 7 areas of the EYFS can be covered with outdoor play and learning, please see the ‘Traditional settings VS Outdoor learning’ sheet in this pack for a more in-depth comparison.
You are able to request any information on your child at any time and you can also request meetings with your child’s key worker to check on their development.

What if my child needs to rest?

We know that it is important for children to have time to rest during the day. There are natural breaks during the day that allow children to sit and relax. We also have our sheltered areas (heated or not) where children can relax in comfort and even sleep should they need to.