There is defiantly a look…. a look that many parents have when the words potty training are mentioned for the first time. It is a mixture of confusion, fear and of guilt for having not done it already.
Read moreMessy Play in the Hive!
Over the past few weeks in the Hive, the Hive have been plitting up into groups to take part in different activities whether they are walking around the farm to see the animals or getting a bit messy!
Read moreSugar Smart
A recent report from the Guardian highlighted the growing severity of tooth decay in young children. Statistics show that in 2012-13, more than 36,000 surgical procedures were carried out to remove teeth from children and teenagers in England.
Read moreA New Beginning!
On the 28th of February I'll be saying good bye to all the lovely staff here at Free Rangers, and also to all the mini Free Rangers and their families. As much as I'll miss everyone, I'm looking forward to starting my new career in the Royal United Hospital in their Nursery and seeing what the future holds.
Read moreChild led play
For two weeks now on forest school we have been exploring the mud kitchen in the lower paddock. When we arrived the children got stuck in straight away with no holding back. In the kitchen we have the usual pots, pans and utensils for the children to play with.
Read moreThe adventures of under the arch!
So a new term normally means new toys, and that means new imagination, new adventures and more fun. Burrow and Den parents, I expect you've noticed we've had a little move around and there's some new bits and bobs about.
Read moreIntroducing Pilar Fernandez de la Vega!
Hello Free Rangers! My name is Pilar and I work in the den room of the nursery.
Read moreWelcome to Paloma!
Hi Free Rangers family! My name is Paloma, which means “Dove” in Spanish.
Read moreLift the Bar
Working in childcare is an emotionally and physically draining, we decided as a team that we also needed to invest time in looking after ourselves and do our best to buck the trend of the two hour toilet research!
Read moreBridget's visit
Another open mic session from one of the Burrow's (now Den's) lovely mums, listening and looking at a guitar. Thank you so much for the wheelbarrow revamp too!
Read moreNew Beginnings
It’s that time of the year again where we see another group of babies who have grown and developed into young toddlers move on into the Burrow but we also welcome a new set of babies as they embark upon their new adventures here at Free Rangers.
Read moreIntroducing: Ellie!
Gross and fine motor skills in the Burrow
Over the past two weeks in the Burrow, the children have been using their gross and fine motor skills within their play. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the term gross and fine motor skills, here’s what it means:
Read moreOUR NEW CLIMBING FRAME - NOURISHING THAT SENSE OF ADVENTURE!
In the words of Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield, authors of Nature’s Playground: Life is full of risk, so the best way to prepare children for life is to ensure they know how to judge risk for themselves. The children in the Den became curious looking at the box which had been delivered to their room.
Read moreSleeping bunnies
In the Burrow, the sleep routine begins with the early morning conversations between parents and staff about any changes in home sleep patterns - has the child slept well or woken early or is the child may be growing out of an afternoon nap?
Read moreUnder the Arch!
As many of you know, there is an arch way at Free Rangers that is just through the main gates, before you get to the Burrow. Most parents would walk under the arch every day to get to the Burrow and Den rooms.
Read moreIntroducing Charlotte, Gemma's Maternity Cover
It's not long now until we wave goodbye to Gemma and wish her well on her maternity leave. We can't wait to meet her little girl and we certainly can't wait for her return.But until that time I wanted to properly introduce myself as Gemma's maternity cover.
Read moreDigging Deep for Free Rangers
You might be aware that we recently completed The Department of Health's "Healthy Outcomes Certificate in Early Years". As part of this, we organised a Big Dig day in a bid to add an extra dimension to our little patch of Somerset.
Read moreThe Assault Course is Dead. Viva la Timber Trail!
In the first year of Free Rangers opening, we did some serious development of our blank canvas. From the outset, we knew our outdoor space was special and we didn't take it for granted when planning its conception (nor do we now!) Our brief: to make it as appealing, varied and challenging a space for our little adventurers as possible, turning bare grass into the tangible, climbable, and jumpable. We built it, and they came. But that was a long, long time ago...
Read moreThe Big Little Free Rangers Three Peaks Challenge
There's a lot of talk on site at the moment, all about the 24 Three Peaks Challenge that a group of the Free Rangers' team are hoping to complete on 3 June this year, all in aid of raising funds to support some of our families' children that require specialist medical equipment.
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