Back at the beginning of April a group of Den children planted some sunflower seeds. Over the last few months we have been watering them and observing their progress.
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 moreThe Free Rangers Mini 3 Peaks Challenge
You may have noticed recently some of your Free Rangers staff tackled the 3 Peaks Challenge, attempting to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in under 24hrs. Whilst this challenge fell at the feet of an intrepid few nursery staff, we wanted to extend the challenge to our Free Range kids as well, and set about challenging them to their own sponsored mini 3 Peaks.
Read moreThe May update from the Den
Find out what we have been up to in the Den during May
Read moreReady, Steady, MOVE!
Children like to move. If you've ever tried to keep a child sat still for any length of time you'll agree that it's nigh on impossible. So when we go on Forest School we make sure we keep any stillness to a minimum!
Read moreStrawberries!
Since moving our strawberries to their new position in the ‘strawberry bed’ in the Farmhouse Garden, we have been eagerly awaiting the appearance of the delicious, juicy fruits that we have come to expect from our crop.
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 moreUpdate from the Den
The monthly update from Tam in the Den. Indoor role play saw the home corner changed into a campsite where children recreated the forest school rules and holiday experiences.
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 morePlots and Pots
Parents en route to the Hive may have noticed a few changes to the old baby garden plot over the last few weeks. We are in the process of moving our plant and veg growing area from the bottom of the main garden to the old baby garden plot.
Read moreSCHOOL TRANSITION
Starting infant school can be a worrying time for children and parents but with preparation anxiety can be reduced. At Free Rangers we follow a 'school transition' time line which helps us prepare our children for school.
Read moreHENRY – Health, Exercise and Nutrition for the Really Young
I recently attended a BANES Early Years training course titled HENRY, which stands for Health, Exercise and Nutrition for the Really Young. I was interested in finding out about the right kinds of foods and amounts of foods that we should be feeding our children at Free Rangers.
Read moreEvery End is a New Beginning
As my apprenticeship draws to a close, so will my time at Free Rangers. It has been such an amazing opportunity for me, studying at college once a week and working in the Den for the remainder of the week over these past 2 years. I have gained more experience and knowledge than any textbook could have ever taught me.
Read moreUpdate from The Den
Our themes this month have included the following, healthy eating, recognising different fruits and vegetables and learning what they do for our bodies. The Hindu festival Holi, a festival of colour where we explored colour, colour mixing to create new colours and naming them.
Read moreNot Everyone's Cup of Tea
As spring thoroughly forges ahead, the newest, tenderest shoots are often the fodder of deer and rabbits. But back in March on Forest School, we decided to make use of some rather more volatile ones for ourselves...
Read moreAn Exciting New Beginning!
It’s quickly creeping up to being my 5th year of working at Free Rangers, which in itself is crazy because it feels like no time at all and I have thoroughly enjoyed every single moment.
Read moreMessy Play
In the Den we have been celebrating the Hindu festival Holi, a festival of colours by incorporating colour into all aspects of play.
Read moreBuoyancy
This week we have been asking our children to think and predict whether a selection of fruit and vegetables would float or sink? Children made connections with real life experiences, objects that they have encountered during mealtimes...
Read moreFebruary in the Nest
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...
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