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 moreGoing out in all weathers
Something I have recently over-heard or been asked is “are you staying in because it’s raining?” I thought I would write in a blog why we go outside in ALL weathers and the benefits we see in the children.
Read moreDate for the diary in the Den
Date for the diary... Friday 14th July 2017 2.00pm – 4.00pm Does your child attend in The DEN… Is your child going to start school in September 2017... Do you want to celebrate their time at Free Rangers...
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 moreMini Peaks & Pyjama week!
We’d like to thank all our parents and children for kindly donating and sponsoring us whilst we took part in wearing our pyjamas and not only that, the children in the Hive have been taking part in “The Mini Peaks Challenge."
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 moreEarly Years Schemas
I recently went on an evening course called ‘Advanced Schemas’ led by Sonia Mainstone-Cotton which aimed to help practitioners gain a more in-depth understanding about schemas and how they can help us to understand children’s behaviour and interests.
Read moreMessage from the office
Here is the latest update from the Office here at Free Rangers
Read moreApril in the Burrow...
I bought a new story - 'The Very busy Spider' by Eric Carle. We're reading this daily and looking at the different animals that visit the spider.
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 moreA bit of what we’ve been up to in the Burrow…
Over the last couple of weeks we have said goodbye to some Burrowers, who have either moved on to the Den or moved on to their own exciting adventure. However, we have welcomed our new children from the Hive as well as brand new children and our older Burrow children have given them a helping hand in settling in!
Read moreMaking the most of songs with under 3’s
On Thursday 30th March I went on a singing course. I had never been on a singing course before so I couldn’t wait.
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 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.
Read moreThe Hives been open a year!
We’ve been open a year, a whole year! As many of you know a year ago we opened the doors to the Nest and Warren, in the new building with an amazing outdoor space, and separate sleep room, this was when we became known as the Baby Unit.
Read moreBug hunting in Spring 2017
Hello, I hope you all had a lovely Easter and didn’t eat too much chocolate! This week has been great to meet our new children whether they have moved down from the Hive or they are new into Free Rangers altogether.
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.
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