We have always valued the importance of outdoor learning and forest school is perfect for this, as it takes place outside in a natural environment. “Forest School is 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.” (ref forest school association)

The children partake in den building, messy play with mud, singing, stories, mark making etc. We have noticed vast progress in the children that partake in forest school. This is not by chance, this is down to the teachers carefully thinking about the needs of the individual children and the careful planning to support the uniqueness of every child attending.  

Forest school is included in our early years curriculum as it clearly supports the children’s confidence, self-esteem and of course their oracy. Forest School is not about teaching that just happens to be taught in the outdoors, it is much more than this. It is a very specific approach to help support the children, which is not curricular led, therefore there are no specific curricular outcomes, as it is child led.