Forest School Stay and Play under-5s with their parents/carers

This is a donation-based, stay-and-play Forest School, for under-fives and their parents/carers, who will stay with their children during the session. The minimum donation is £1per child. My suggested donation, but please don't consider this if it means that you can't attend, is £6 per child, £10 per child will enable sustainable success of this offering.

My name is Sharon Owen and I am a qualified L3 Forest School Leader (as well as a retired primary school teacher and part-time childminder)

I am a strong believer in the benefits of humans spending more time in natural surroundings. So many studies have shown the immense benefits of doing so. I am aware that the prices charged for some Forest School act as a deterrent to many who would benefit. It is my hope that, by offering these activities as donation-based, that those of us who are able to pay more, will do so and therefore, be able to make these activities sustainable, for those that need to pay less.

Come along! You and your child will always find:

Binoculars and magnifying glasses with bug identification books/sheets,

Toys for mud-based activities

Books relating to nature and a blanket to sit and read,

Water and paintbrushes for mud-painting,

There will also be activities that rotate, or are one-offs, like leaf threading, colour matching games, natural material bird feeder making, various crafting and art activities. Process is everything with young children. We will not necessarily be attempting to make a finished product though, of course, you and your child are welcome to, if you desire.

Feel free to explore the area and the resources as soon as you arrive. I will find you and, if you are new, be available to introduce myself and our Forest School, get emergency contact forms completed and answer any questions. I generally facilitate, and play, and help as required. The focus is very much on being a child-led, responding to interests in the moment and helping your child to have their own special time in the woods.

Please bring your own snacks and drinks and pick your own time to break for these. There will be water and eco-friendly soap available for handwashing, but please bring your own handtowel..

We will tidy up together, shortly after 11am and then meet as a group again for some stories, singing and reflections on our morning, finishing around 11.30 am.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU BOOK ONE TICKET FOR EACH CHILD SO THAT I ENSURE I MAINTAIN ALLOWABLE NUMBERS AND THAT YOU BRING A MAXIMUM OF THREE CHILDREN PER ADULT. Please use what3words (silent.silks.gentle) and their online compass to find us as other online maps will keep redirecting you to the main paths.