Here at Wild Monkeys Childcare, we offer a wide range of different ways for children to learn. One of those ways is our Forest School provision!
So, what is Forest School?
Great question! You may have heard of Forest School before online or in the news. Forest School is essentially a way to deliver nature-based, child-led learning outside, come rain or shine, letting children get hands-on with nature and the natural environment. It’s a long-term program, rather than just a few one-off sessions. It’s been common in Scandinavian countries since the 1950s, and is becoming more and more popular here in the UK.
At Wild Monkeys, our main Forest School sessions happen several times per week, spread out to make sure that as many children as possible can take part in sessions. We also encourage outdoor learning and play the rest of the week too, no matter the weather – which is why we ask parents to always send their children in with suitable clothing for the weather!
What does my child gain from Forest School?
Forest School encourages children to work together, helping them to develop their social skills and their communication & language skills. It also helps their fine and gross motor skills, especially with activities such as building with sticks and leaves!
Research has shown that just being outside improves mental and physical health, communication, and social relationships – and more. Today, only 21% of children in the UK regularly play outside! Forest School encourages children to enjoy being outdoors, and lets them teach themselves how to create their own play and learning opportunities, important skills for childhood and adulthood.
How does Wild Monkeys Childcare offer their Forest School provision?
We have regular Forest School sessions several times per week, our trained staff. Some of these sessions are at the setting, making use of our 140ft garden, and some of these sessions are outside the setting, using local nature areas such as the Oval, Cinque Foil Park, Firle Road Park, and other local green spaces.
These sessions include activities such as bug hunts, collecting and decorating sticks and making up stories about them, mark-making with natural items, and more! All of the activities support the EYFS.
All of our children have access to the garden every day, no matter the weather, and we encourage all of our children to spend time outside every day.
So, what is Forest School?
Great question! You may have heard of Forest School before online or in the news. Forest School is essentially a way to deliver nature-based, child-led learning outside, come rain or shine, letting children get hands-on with nature and the natural environment. It’s a long-term program, rather than just a few one-off sessions. It’s been common in Scandinavian countries since the 1950s, and is becoming more and more popular here in the UK.
At Wild Monkeys, our main Forest School sessions happen several times per week, spread out to make sure that as many children as possible can take part in sessions. We also encourage outdoor learning and play the rest of the week too, no matter the weather – which is why we ask parents to always send their children in with suitable clothing for the weather!
What does my child gain from Forest School?
Forest School encourages children to work together, helping them to develop their social skills and their communication & language skills. It also helps their fine and gross motor skills, especially with activities such as building with sticks and leaves!
Research has shown that just being outside improves mental and physical health, communication, and social relationships – and more. Today, only 21% of children in the UK regularly play outside! Forest School encourages children to enjoy being outdoors, and lets them teach themselves how to create their own play and learning opportunities, important skills for childhood and adulthood.
How does Wild Monkeys Childcare offer their Forest School provision?
We have regular Forest School sessions several times per week, our trained staff. Some of these sessions are at the setting, making use of our 140ft garden, and some of these sessions are outside the setting, using local nature areas such as the Oval, Cinque Foil Park, Firle Road Park, and other local green spaces.
These sessions include activities such as bug hunts, collecting and decorating sticks and making up stories about them, mark-making with natural items, and more! All of the activities support the EYFS.
All of our children have access to the garden every day, no matter the weather, and we encourage all of our children to spend time outside every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What about rain or snow, or cold weather?
At Wild Monkeys, we are firm believers in the saying that "there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing"! We make sure that all children are suitably prepared for going outside, whether that means suncream and a hat, or a warm coat and gloves. We ask that parents send their children in with suitable clothes, so that they can fully take part in our activities.
Generally, children are perfectly happy to play in the rain or cold - and of course they love the snow! Different types of weather also provide really valuable learning experiences for your child. In many countries, children play outdoors all year round with no problems, and in some European countries babies even sleep in their prams out in the snow!
What if my child is ill and I want them kept in?
We have an Outdoor Play Policy, available on our website, which fully explains our approach to this. We don't keep children inside due to illness, as going outside won't make them ill or worsen an existing illness - in fact, evidence suggests that being out in the fresh air actually makes them less likely to get ill! If your child isn't well enough to go outside, they are probably too ill to attend nursery, and we suggest that they stay home until they're well enough to take part in all of our activities.
At Wild Monkeys, we are firm believers in the saying that "there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing"! We make sure that all children are suitably prepared for going outside, whether that means suncream and a hat, or a warm coat and gloves. We ask that parents send their children in with suitable clothes, so that they can fully take part in our activities.
Generally, children are perfectly happy to play in the rain or cold - and of course they love the snow! Different types of weather also provide really valuable learning experiences for your child. In many countries, children play outdoors all year round with no problems, and in some European countries babies even sleep in their prams out in the snow!
What if my child is ill and I want them kept in?
We have an Outdoor Play Policy, available on our website, which fully explains our approach to this. We don't keep children inside due to illness, as going outside won't make them ill or worsen an existing illness - in fact, evidence suggests that being out in the fresh air actually makes them less likely to get ill! If your child isn't well enough to go outside, they are probably too ill to attend nursery, and we suggest that they stay home until they're well enough to take part in all of our activities.
Our Setting
We work from our wonderful setting in Peacehaven with a team of highly qualified and experienced nursery practitioners. We use the whole property for the children. We have a fully enclosed 140ft garden with plenty of toys for the children to play with. We are based close to local schools, parks, shops, and the number 14 bus route.
Our aim is to have the flexibility, fun, freedom, outings, and home from home environment of a childminder, with the social opportunity, structure, and learning opportunities of a nursery. The best of both worlds! The care we give in our setting is extremely important to us. The managers' and the practitioners’ children have been here with us, and we treat all the children equally and as part of our family.
We are registered to care for a maximum of 40 children ranging from birth to 16 years at any one time. However, we mainly provide care from birth to 5 years. The ratios are 1 adult to 3 children for under 2s, 1 adult to 5 children for 2 to 3 year olds, and 1 adult to 8 children for over 3s. We usually have more practitioners than legally required, as we feel that this benefits our children far more.
Why not find us on Facebook to see more pictures.
Our aim is to have the flexibility, fun, freedom, outings, and home from home environment of a childminder, with the social opportunity, structure, and learning opportunities of a nursery. The best of both worlds! The care we give in our setting is extremely important to us. The managers' and the practitioners’ children have been here with us, and we treat all the children equally and as part of our family.
We are registered to care for a maximum of 40 children ranging from birth to 16 years at any one time. However, we mainly provide care from birth to 5 years. The ratios are 1 adult to 3 children for under 2s, 1 adult to 5 children for 2 to 3 year olds, and 1 adult to 8 children for over 3s. We usually have more practitioners than legally required, as we feel that this benefits our children far more.
Why not find us on Facebook to see more pictures.
Our Outdoor Classroom
The Outside Area
Our Bug Hotel
Our bug hotel offer children lots of learning opportunities. It is a great project for children to be involved in and learn more about their natural environment. It is important that children are exposed to life-enhancing gardening experiences as children learn best through first hand experiences.
If you have anything at home you think we could add to make this even better then let us know. We plan to add some magnifying glasses and some plant pots with different natural things in like hay, leaves etc.
Maybe you could make one at home and send us your pictures? 🕷🦗🐜
If you have anything at home you think we could add to make this even better then let us know. We plan to add some magnifying glasses and some plant pots with different natural things in like hay, leaves etc.
Maybe you could make one at home and send us your pictures? 🕷🦗🐜
Our Wild Flower Garden
It may not be much to look at yet, but it won't be long until the children will be able to see a selection of beautiful wild flowers and the insects that visit them.
Wildflowers provide lots of things that insects need: food in the form of leaves, nectar and pollen, also shelter and places to breed. In return, insects pollinate the wildflowers, enabling them to develop seeds and spread to grow in other places.
For our children this provides an important learning experience. Not only can they learn the names of the different flowers and the creatures visiting, but also we can teach them the importance of all insects including the bees. They will then grow up with an understanding of how important wildlife is, which will help protect our wildlife for generations to come.
Wildflowers provide lots of things that insects need: food in the form of leaves, nectar and pollen, also shelter and places to breed. In return, insects pollinate the wildflowers, enabling them to develop seeds and spread to grow in other places.
For our children this provides an important learning experience. Not only can they learn the names of the different flowers and the creatures visiting, but also we can teach them the importance of all insects including the bees. They will then grow up with an understanding of how important wildlife is, which will help protect our wildlife for generations to come.
Our Vegetable Patch and Growing Area
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At Wild Monkeys we believe that growing vegetables not only teaches children the hard work that it takes to grow them, but they get a sense of achievement knowing they are eating food they have grown themselves. This year we have planted a variety of things such as carrots, radishes, peas, strawberries, herb and tomatoes. Later on in the year, when they are ripe, the children will harvest the produce and use it to cook with. The amazement children show when they can actually see where things like carrots come from and then get to eat it, is worth the wait! We even find children are more likely to try new things when they have grown it themselves. We are an RHS 5 Star Gardening Nursery, having reached Level 5 in their Campaign for School Gardening! |
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Toddler Room
Baby Room
Roleplay Room
Kitchen & Dining Room
What we get up to...
What we do with the children during the week changes all the time to meet the needs and interests of the children. As well as our activities in the setting, we also go on local outings to parks, the library, the shops, the local farm, and events. Once a month we run an event that parents are invited along to. These events range from Mother's Day activities to a big outing to Blackberry Farm.
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We have separate routines for our baby room, our toddler room, and our preschool room - if you'd like to know more, get in touch!
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Famly
At Wild Monkeys Childcare, we use the online tool, Famly. This is a free app available online and on iPhones and Android phones. We use it to keep you updated on your child's development and learning, with assessments, observations, and more!
For more information, visit Famly
For more information, visit Famly
