Throughout February in the Den the themes of space, emotions and soft play have been integrated into planning.In the space topic; distance, speed, motion, measuring objects and time have all been discussed and play and learning has reflected this.
Read moreI can eat 3!
"The Anticipation" - just too much to bear!
The Den and Burrow teamed up last week to make some rather delicious pancakes to mark Shrove Tuesday. And what a delicious week it was...
Read moreWho knows where the tree house is?
What a very cold and windy week we’ve had. The Burrow children (and adults) have all been wrapping up warm and ensuring lots of layers are worn when out and about.
Read moreWhat a busy couple of weeks!
For two weeks now the Burrow children have been exploring the tree house with ropes, pulleys and crates. We have had lots of fun and used lots of strength throughout the weeks.
Read moreFinding Their Own Path
I should probably apologise. If your child has been coming home and making arrows from anything they can get their hands on and appropriating foods at dinner times for arrow making purposes, then apologies for any lost property and distracted children at the dinner table...
Read moreRolling Pinecones
This week we have spent time on the mud hill rolling pinecones. Already on the forest school sessions the younger children and new children have shown a great understanding of our session and our rules.
Read moreA new beginning for Forest School
So it’s the start of a new term at Free Rangers and we’ve spent two weeks so far getting to know our new children and spending time with the original Burrow children. Over the past couple of weeks we haven’t so much been focusing on the activity of Forest School but more the routine of Forest School.
Read moreTeamwork Makes the Dream Work
Many hands make light work! 💪🏻
Happy New Year lovely parents and readers! I hope 2017 has started well for you all and I'd like to personally offer a warm welcome all of our new Den room families! I look forward to sharing all our Forest School adventures with you over the coming months. We've jumped back into the outdoor fun with plenty of work to keep our bodies warm and the site looking ship shape!
Read morePassing the Forest School Qualification!
Hello everyone, As you may have seen recently, myself and Jess were successful in passing our Level 3 Forest School Leaders qualification. Phew!
Read moreThe Forest School Holiday Club Christmas Special
MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎅🏻
We once again opened up our Paddock to welcome lots of excited children back for our Holiday Club. This time it was the turn of our Christmas Special: Two days of 'Festive Forest School Frolicking' in the wonderful outdoors.
Read more"That's not a knife, THIS is a knife!"
If, when picking up your child from Nursery or Kindergarten, you were informed your 3yr old had been whittling with a fixed bladed bushcraft knife whilst sitting out in the cold, what would your immediate reaction be?
Read moreWillow Work
As the trees began to leave a beautiful golden carpet of leaves on site, it heralded the time to tend to the site for Winter. Brambles, raspberries, and trees are all for the chop to promote more manageable and stronger growth for the oncoming seasons.
Read morePond Dipping
Over the past weeks the Burrow children have spent lots of time at the pond with their nets. It’s been great to see what is in the pond this time of year as most pond life have left the pond for the winter. It also acts as a great comparison to introduce the concept of seasons and change.
Read moreA Little Step Back to Reflect
We opened Free Rangers Forest School Nursery five years ago. It was time we took a little step back to reflect. We needed to ask a few questions of ourselves; were we remaining true to our initial hopes and aspirations? Is our message still strong and relevant? Are we striving to be the best we can be? Are we making a difference?
Read moreHappy Halloween – Part 2!
his week in the Burrow we have continued to get into the Halloween spirit and here’s a couple of things we have been up to. On Monday morning Soraya brought us in a pumpkin which we held, smelt and explored. We cut out a lid and had a look inside. Along with some spoons the Burrow children scooped out the pumpkin seeds and soft inside.
Read moreMaking Natural Pictures
This week in the Burrow we have carried on our natural materials hunt but have decided to use them in a different way instead of making stories. We revisited last week and questioned children to understand how well they could recall information.
Read moreA day in the life of a little Burrower
Arriving at the start of a session can unleash a whole host of emotions…happy, excited, worried, shy, sad, tired, and anxious. The main challenge is crossing the cloakroom threshold into the exciting and inviting Burrow. This takes place with the help of one of the lovely Burrow staff…
Read moreClimbing and Conkers
The other week I was walking my dog around the village and noticed that the conkers had started falling from the Horse Chestnut trees. As a Forest School leader my instinct kicked in and I thought I must plan something that involves conkers and collect as many as possible for my Forest School natural treasure hoard!
Read moreTea from Harvested Hedgerows
We have been getting the Den children used to rhythms and routines in our busy room, as well as to the wonderful outdoor space in the Paddock we share on Forest School.
Read moreObstacle Climbing
This week has seen the Burrow children putting their gross motor skills to the test by climbing. It was a great activity that allowed us to observe how confident the children are when climbing, balancing and jumping.
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