The only way I could describe the staff weekly challenge last week is using one word and one word only – muddy! As of recently Charlotte has been coming up with some weekly challenges for the staff to do. For example, the one before “the biggest splash” was the “swivel chair challenge” – well you can imagine!
Read moreThe Importance of Play
The Importance of Play " The winner of the puddle splash competition is......" Last week all the practitioners had a whale of a time (see the Warren's photo) submitting their puddle jumping photos.
Read more10 minutes in the Life of Free Rangers
This morning my desk was being occupied so relishing the chance to delay sitting at my desk on such a lovely day I took the opportunity to go for a wander around the nursery.
What a complete joy!
Read moreWe visited Cymru, we climbed and we conquered.
With the demands a new term presents; settling in children (and parents!) and ensuring all is ready for the doors of Free Rangers to embark on another term, the Free Rangers staff set off for a challenge of their own. The sun shone bright and early on Sunday 6th September as staff congregated in the yard ready for a trip to The Forest of Dean to attempt to 'Go Ape.
Read moreThey came. They conquered.
Forest School: Igniting fires of curiosity to inspire children to explore, play and thrive outside.
Free Rangers once again opened it's doors to what can be only be described as a HORDE of children to come and play, learn and thrive at Free Rangers Forest School Holiday Club. It not only proved to be the busiest Holiday Club we've ever run, but also the most fun!
Read moreCroc O'Clock
Last Thursday 16th July we welcomed some new friends to Free Rangers for the morning. The Croc Experience came to visit with some exciting creatures that challenged our children (and some parents) to push aside any fears and enjoy these amazing animals.
Read moreFree Rangers Children Fleeing the Nest….Warren…..Burrow and…… Den
So the time has come when our little Free Rangers are leaving us to start their new venture of Primary School Education. Some of our children joined us in the Nest and have had a positive journey throughout Free Rangers and finalising their time in the Den.
Read moreFree Rangers' Online Shop IS LIVE!
Making friends with Swedish fishermen. We believe it's not only important for children to make new friends and nurture existing friendships, it's also crucial, that as adults, we continue to build relationships and enjoy those chums we've had for a while! So we wanted to let you know that Free Rangers has a new friend. A Swedish friend called Didriksons.
Read moreForest School at Free Rangers
We've made a Forest School video to highlight why we at Free Rangers think Forest School is such an important activity for us to share with your children.
Read moreWe're looking for a Early Years Practitioner
We're looking for a Early Years Practitioner to work in a busy, large, dynamic Pre-school Room. You'll be a Key Person and an effective communicator.
Read moreDiary of a Novice Chicken Keeper
Apologies for the radio silence, we've been busy settling the children into another school year and settling the chickens into their new abode. Now we're sure the chickens are healthy, we approached lovely Tom Vaughn, creator and innovator at Tom's Hen Houses.
Read moreGoldilocks at Free Rangers
A few weeks back we were lucky enough to be graced with the BookWorm Players again, as they regaled us with another excellent performance, this time with the tale of Goldilocks and the 3 Bears. The BookWorm Players spin their own take on well known Fairytales and nursery stories, making them interactive, songful and child (and adult!) friendly.
Read moreDiary of a novice chicken keeper - Week 3
As a nursery setting August is a sentimental month, where we wave farewell to little people who have been with us for sometimes as long as three years. As soon as we've come to terms with missing these familiar faces we greet another group of fantastic characters in September.
Read moreDiary of a novice chicken keeper - Week 2
Before we allowed the chickens out of their temporary stable accommodation, we needed to make sure they were healthy and wouldn't do a runner as soon as they got a sniff of freedom. The idea was to keep the chickens in the stable for 10 - 14 days.
Read moreDiary of a novice chicken keeper - Week 1
I leapt at the chance to be a part of the chicken rearing world. Why? Because our eldest, for quite a while now has been pleading with us to get a dog. The 10 chickens were a surprise to satiate his dog yearning.
Read more"Cosying ones Corner"
Normally, one would think a Cosy Corner is full of cushions, mats and cuddly toys. At Free Rangers, a Cosy Corner is very different, consisting of wood, crates and grass. This week the children have had great fun in the main garden using their gross motor skills to manoeuvre wooden hunts, crates and plastic tubes.
Read moreTractor Ted Rolls into Free Rangers
Cabbages, Cabbages Oh, Oh, Oh… This week was ‘Tractor Ted Week’ across the nursery. It has been lovely to see how each of the rooms have used and adapted this theme to ensure the children engaged in valuable, age appropriate learning experiences.
Read moreWhat an Inset and what a team!
Last night we had a Free Rangers Team Building event which left us all feeling proud and lucky to be part of a great bunch of staff. With the pizza oven fired up and the early evening sunshine gently glowing through the trees the evening was full of promise.
Read moreThe Free Rangers Toddle Waddle
On Wednesday we ventured along the cycle track in rain and wind in mass to raise money for Meningitis; saving lives, rebuilding futures. We invited our families and friends to join the fun, where we togged the children up in water-proofs and wellies to start the Waddle. We had a number of volunteers who helped us, which we were very pleased to see so thank you! This allowed all of Free Rangers to venture out, leaving Valerie behind to man the fort and prepare our well-earned lunch! Firstly the Nest and Warren set off, closely followed behind by the Burrow and then last but not least the Den
Read moreBuilding with trees
The source of the materials you build with, will form the character of your building. For the cabin under the Scots Pines we made good use of local Douglas fir, Grandis fir, Ash and Larch for the framework.
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