Forest School Inspired post

This week I have been re reading a book that introduced me to the ideas of Forest School theory.

The Ethos or definition is such

Forest School is an inspirational process,that offers all learners regular opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland or natural environment with trees.

Forest School is a specialised approach that sits within and complements the wider context of outdoor and woodland learning.

Our Case study works within this remit

Volunteers work together to provide the environment  Myself Melanie Commins a childminder and a committed to outdoor learning Early Years Teacher. I work together with Marina a self confessed dirt avoider (has taken on the title of snack provider)  Mark dad of two, jack of all trades, outdoor enthusiast, creative director etc.  Neil my partner in crime, gets lectured by me on early years and is pretty creative when it comes to activities in the outdoors.

The Setting

Etherow Park is council owned and had an educational remit until recently.  It now has no Rangers of its own, but a Ranger who looks after the whole of the Stockport area.  This means that Etherow is free to explore and enjoy, but Mini Rangers is the only outdoor stay and play group it has.  We have had talks with the friends group to help us to clear some of the areas and the grass is cut by the council.  The children can access a number of activities independently.  The area is quite secure as the volunteers always ensure there is some sort of barrier between the water and the area.  The children who come regularly no where the activities are and stay close to the central area.

Mini Rangers is made as safe as is reasonably possible

The council ensure that all plants growing in the area are safe.  Each session is run by the volunteers who undertake a risk assessment of the area before everyone arrives.  Over the year this has resulted in contacting the council when a tree has partially fallen in the middle.  We have also written and use risk assessments for the camp fire with a bucket of water and bag of sand on stand by in case it gets out of hand.  Some weeks we do not have a camp fire this is when we feel that it is not safe or the weather is too soggy.

Mini Rangers has happened over time

We have been able to offer sessions weekly during term time for over a year now, parents and children are able to become familiar with the routines and activities and then feel confident in joining in where they feel they want to.

There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing

Although we don't carry waterproofs ourselves, there are lots of good offers at local outlets at this point.  It is worth ensuring that at the very least your child has waterproof trousers and boots, if only to ensure that you have an easier time when returning to the car or home.

Trust is Central

It is important at Mini Rangers that parents and children feel confident and secure and can ask the volunteers for any help.  We have often been on hand to ensure that children get a helping hand when climbing or balancing.  It is important that visitors know that we adhere to our risk assessments and proceedures.

The learning is play based and, as far as possible, child initiated and child led

I am hoping that when I attend the forest school course I can expand on this area.  Until now I have ensured that the activities are simple and reflect children's interests and seasonal interests.  I am hoping that the Forest School course will inspire me into thinking of more sessions that fulfil the encouragement of self confidence and self belief.

The Blocks and sessions have beginning and ends.

The beginning is always a cheery word from our volunteer that greets the visitors at the entrance, with an open ended activity that children can choose to do or not. There is always half an hour of free play and then a story and a snack.  (Coffee, tea and biscuits for the grown ups).  Children learn through seeing others that story time is a time to sit quietly or join in to the adult led section it really only lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes and is always followed by a snack.

The Staff are trained

As yet this has been an ambition of mine.  Although I am an Early Years teacher and feel confident to engage young people in activities and look for areas that are important to them, I feel that becoming a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner will add so much more to our area and what we do.  So watch this space.

Regular attendees will understand that our regular meet ups can add benefits to their children that aren't apparent on first viewing.  Children can be seen to be more resourceful, more resilient.  The children set their own agenda's making pretend camp fires and cooking on them, making dens independently, climbing the bank independently and using the rope to lower themselves down.   Balancing on the tree stumps and become experts at bug hunting.