Hi, I'm Ezme and I have just started working at Freerangers in the Burrow. I am level 2 qualified and am currently studying for my level 3 qualification in Early Years. I have almost 2 years experience working with children in another nursery, however I have never experienced a forest school and even after just 6 weeks I am loving it.
Read moreWho’s that trip trapping over my bridge?
As you know the children have been learning our version of the traditional story of ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’. Each day they have listened to members of the Burrow staff reciting the story. The words have been embellished with some of our story making actions.
Read moreAny sessions please?
When I Joined Free Rangers in August 2011 we had just 12 children on role and from that point our numbers have grown with children registered to join us for sometimes a year, or more, in advance. One of my roles at Free Rangers is managing the room and waiting lists term to term and as most of you are aware we do our lists termly,
Read moreWe Have Been Experimenting
In the Burrow this week, we have been experimenting. Would you ever have thought of putting ice cubes on a tray or table and letting the children paint them? This simple activity is a great activity for all ages of children, it can develop children’s gross motor skills whilst learning about the science behind colour mixing.
Read moreVisiting the Goats!
Over the past couple of weeks we have spent time learning the Three Billy Goats Gruff story and during our Forest School sessions this story has received great attention. We were also lucky enough to visit Free Rangers’ own answer to the Three Billy Goats Gruff.
Read moreIndependent 2 Year Olds
Recently in the Burrow we have been focusing on encouraging the children to be as independent as possible. Whether this is during Forest School, lunch or free flow. All the adults in the Burrow have been working together to facilitate and help the children to increase their independency on task.
Read moreCotton Wool Balls
So, anyone that comes into the Burrow knows that we like a bit of creativity…from paint, to flour, to glitter, to MUD to well…anything!! We can literally make anything creative, mainly because the children take the lead and they have a knack of seeing the world differently. This week in the Burrow we have been cotton wool painting, but not just any cotton wool painting.
Read moreClimbing the Fort
We have enjoyed a great week on Forest School and we feel very lucky with the weather we experienced. This week the tree house (fort) has been our main play area, using our climbing and balancing skills to move around.
Read moreBeneath the Waters
Over the past few weeks we have been focussing on our native, nearby bugs and understanding how and why we should be kind to them. This week we have taken our nets to the pond to see what pond life we have in our waters. Before we entered our pond area I discussed with the children our pond rules and what we need to remember to stay safe around water.
Read moreGarden play in the sun
At Free Rangers I am the Burrow Forest School Guru but that doesn’t stop me being involved with things the Burrow do whilst I’m out of the room! When I come back I am often greeted in the garden by children asking me to ‘play’ with them and often I think “I wonder how they expect me to play?” shall I be a fireman? Build a train?
Read moreFirst…let me take a selfie.
So…it’s become apparent as of recently that some of our Burrow children like to look at themselves, so what’s better than getting our front facing camera on on our laptop! So on goes the front facing camera and here are some of the poses and expressions we managed to capture!
Read moreTommy Thumb
Providing children with appropriate support and materials to enable them to develop (further) skills and independence is a key feature of the Foundation Stage and Forest School. This belief (philosophy) underpins all that we at Free Rangers do.
Read moreBalancing and climbing on the Timber Trail
What a lovely few days we have had exploring our natural surroundings and making the most of the sunshine! Last week the children loved the timber trail so we decided to carry the planning over to this week.
Read moreA bit of what we’ve been up to…
We’ve been enjoying the variety of weathers; rain, sunshine, snow and hail! As we all know we take any weather in our stride and make sure it doesn’t stop us, so on go our waterproofs, wellies and even at times, our sun hats! We’ve been exploring our surroundings, spending as much time as possible in the garden and in the paddock.
Read moreMark making using natural materials
We have been lucky enough in the Burrow to welcome new children over the last two weeks, whether this has been through moving down from the Warren or starting Free Rangers. It has been lovely to get to know these new children through Forest School and introduce them to a wider range of what we do in the Burrow.
Read moreTiffs Moving
Hello everybody, I’m back from my holiday and slowly adjusting to the climate change! Whilst away it gave me lots of time to reflect on my very lovely life back at home, and come to the decision that I would love to go back to working with the babies and small toddlers
Read moreMaking memories…
Last week we said ‘Good Bye’ to many of our Burrow friends as they moved on to their new rooms and settings. We enjoyed our times together and wish everyone good luck in their new adventures. This week we’ve said ‘welcome’ to a new group of children. Some have come from the Warren next door and others have joined the Free Rangers family for the first time.
Read moreSpring is here...
On Thursday 31st March many of the Free Rangers team took a day of their holiday to come in to the nursery and give the rooms a spring overhaul. The aim was to review resources and give the rooms a face lift! Orders for new resources have been placed and the staff and children are eagerly awaiting the arrival of toys and materials that will enhance the learning opportunities of the children that attend.
Read moreWe are sailing!
This week the children and staff have enjoyed making boats and setting sail at the pond. After snack, we shared with the children, our pond rules; always asking the children to discuss these safety reminders, so we can gauge their understanding of these important behavioural expectations and work hard on personal risk assessment and independence.
Read moreSing, sing, sing!
The children in the Burrow love our ‘Song box’. What is a ‘Song box?’ I hear you say. Well, it is simply an old shoe box that has been decorated by the children. Inside are a collection of objects. Each object links to a particular rhyme or song.
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