Why a Forest Kindergarten?
Our kindergarten is an outdoor alternative to pre-school, a place where the ceiling and floor changes every day! A secure natural space where children can explore and develop their imagination, take risks and build on social and team building skills, confidence and self-esteem. With 20 acres of magical woodland to explore children have the freedom and space to be children, to run and hide, climb and balance. We build dens and light fires and support children in their natural curiosity and hands on understanding of the natural world. We sing, tell stories and cook on the campfire. Every day is different as the environment creates new learning opportunities with its ever changing seasons.
Fun
At My Little Explorers we are all big kids at heart and love to play in the woods, ‘lets go on a bear hunt’ or play hide and seek, “1,2, 3 where are you”. Playing games around the fire circle is a fun way teach children to stay safe by staying outside our circle of logs.
Self-esteem and confidence
We provide a safe and stimulating environment in which children can feel happy and secure, with our encouragement, praise and positive attitude children are keen to face new challenges and feel good about themselves.
Independence and resilience
With our child initiated ethos and our encouragement to ‘have a go’ children build in confidence and if things don’t go right first time we are always on hand to praise and encourage. Falling over can become a game, children learn to become resilient, brush themselves down, pick themselves up and have another go.
Social and communication skills
Children become the risk assessors and are encouraged to team up and problem solve together, pulling the trolley through the woods and negotiating their path or building a pirate ship carrying different lengths of wood together. There are plenty of opportunities for children to use their imagination and communicate ideas and feelings in a variety of ways.
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AgesMy Little Explorers forest kindergarten is open during the term time for children aged between 2 years 9 months to 4 years old. During the holidays, we run activity camps and bushcraft days for children aged from 4 years up.
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FeesThe current (2022/2023) hourly rate is £8.50. Early Years Funding is available for the children who are eligible (first term after their 3rd birthday) and can be split between a second setting. Please email for a breakdown of our charges.
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Session informationMy Little Explorers is open Monday to Friday with sessions as follows: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday’s 8.30am – 4.00pm - Forest school session Wednesday 8.30am - 1.00pm Morning forest school session or 8.30am - 4.00pm Forest school session Friday 9.00am – 1.00pm - Morning forest school session or 9.00am - 3.00pm Forest school session
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ClothingAt My Little Explorers we WILL be going outside, come rain, come shine so it is really important that the children have appropriate clothing. There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing! Clothes needed include: Change of clothes (full set including extra socks and pants) Full set of waterproofs* Small fleece blanket A nice warm jumper* In summer: Please include sunscreen and sun hat In winter: Please include a warm hat, gloves, scarf and wellies or snow boots Rucksack (if possible small enough for your child to carry, big enough to contain the kit above!) * My Little Explorer hoodies are available from us for £15. We can recommend a suppler who specialises in waterproofs which we use and are highly recommended. Designed in Scandinavia, these dungaree and jacket sets are great all year round – light and breathable for summer but very waterproof and windproof for winter (they can also be layered underneath with thermals, trousers and jumpers for extra warmth).
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FoodWe encourage healthy eating and provide fruit or a healthy option during the day for snack time. Children need to bring their own lunch box and always bring a water bottle which we can top up if necessary. We are often in the woods having lunch around the campfire so finger foods are good, or a nice flask of soup or pasta for those colder days. Soap and water or wet wipes are used for hand washing before eating. Please be aware that we have a no-nuts policy.
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Applying for a placeTo apply for a place at My Little Explorers please complete the online application form: Registration Form Kindergarten. Once a place has been confirmed you will be asked for a £75 fee to secure a place with us (£50 deposit refundable upon leaving the nursery and £25 administration fee). A deposit is not required for those children only accessing their free entitlement hours.