Benefits of Forest Schooling
Awareness of environment
Children attending Forest Schools become much more aware of, learn much more about, and have a deeper connection with the natural world about them. It becomes natural to enjoy exploring the environment. They develop feelings of ownership of the local environment and belonging in their local community.
Positive attitude to learning
Children enjoy learning in nature. Children attending Forest Schools experience an increase in motivation, self-discovery and develop a more positive attitude towards learning. They develop a strong “practical can do attitude”. in addition to increased knowledge and understanding of many areas of learning.
A healthy body
Forest Schools encourage children to become more physically active and spend time outside in the fresh air. Children’s immune systems become stronger and they accrue a wide range of other health benefits. Their co-ordination and balance improve and their fine and gross motor skills develop whilst they become physically fitter and stronger.
Increased confidence and self reliance
Children gain greater understanding of, and increased confidence in, their own abilities as they complete tasks alone or as part of a team. Forest schools provide situations where children can take supported risks and challenges. Children become better at calculating and managing risks. They become more independent, resilient and self-reliant.
Knowledge and understanding
Children’s knowledge and understanding increases through observing their environment and undertaking tasks using a range of tools and natural materials. They learn at first-hand about the natural world including the fauna, flora, weather, insects and animals about them. They also learn to understand and appreciate others as they work together in groups.
Moreover, children develop both better self-awareness and learn to take responsibility for their actions.
Practical skills
Children learn to become more responsible for their actions, and learn how identify, calculate and manage risks better. They also learn how to co-operate, share tasks, tools and equipment, and work together as part of a team with a common objective. Thereby strengthening bonds and social ties. They also learn at first hand by feeling, doing and seeing, rather than through videos or pictures in a book or iPad. Regardless of whether they are catching insects, searching for plants or building a shelter. The desire for learning is encouraged and transferred back to the other parts of the child’s life.
Working alongside parents in a collaborative environment
Our philosophy sees parents as our partners. If you choose to use Greenglade, then your child (or children) will spend a significant amount of their early years with us. We want to work with you to ensure that we meet all your child’s needs, that your child has fun and that we care for your child in accordance with your wishes.
A Typical Day
Ladybirds
0-2 Years
The Ladybirds have three dedicated areas on the ground floor of the Nursery, children have access to a wide range of open-ended resources which support learning and creativity as well as a dedicated area for sleep and rest.
Squirrels
2-3 Years
The Squirrels have two dedicated areas on the ground floor of the Nursery, the environment supports child-led play and promotes children’s independence. Various comfortable areas provide space for sleep and rest.
Hedgehogs & Owls
3-5 Years
The Hedgehogs and Owls have two dedicated areas on the first floor of the Nursery. Children can freely explore a wide range of resources to support learning and development in an environment that promotes independence.
Kestrels
5-11 Years
Before and after school provision for children who attend Lightcliffe C of E Primary School. The Kestrels dedicated area of the Nursery is the Outdoor Classroom which is based within the Nursery’s Outdoor Learning Area.
Want to know more about our facilities and approach?
Get in touch or call in and see us. No appointment necessary.
Our facilities
Our nursery has been designed for its purpose. We are continually reviewing and developing our facilities and reflecting on our practice, to ensure both our indoor and outdoor environments provide rich, varied and safe spaces for children to learn and develop and that our practice is evidence based and fully reflects the needs of the individual children we care for.
Our experienced team
We have a well established and professional staff group, supported by a competent and experienced senior management team. To maintain quality and continuity of care, we always have more staff on duty than Ofsted minimum staffing ratios require, enabling us to cover for staff holidays and sickness at short notice. All our staff are permanently contracted employees of the Nursery.
Our settling in process sets us apart
Before any child starts the process of being settled into Greenglade Nursery, our staff will undertake a home visit. This is usually arranged around six weeks prior to a child’s agreed start date. We undertake a home visit so that we can start the process of getting to know each child as an individual, along with their parents.
The food we eat
We believe that children should sample and taste as wide a variety of different foods as possible. Therefore, we often organise activities that provide our children with the opportunity to experience tasting foods with widely different colours, flavours and textures, including fruits, fish and vegetables.