Kindergarten is ONE!

We are very excited to be celebrating the first anniversary of our Wildlings Forest Kindergarten at the end of the month! We have had a great year meeting, nurturing and learning with many happy little faces who have loved being out in the woods with us! It has been a pleasure to play with them in the woods, extending their learning and watching them grow into creative, caring little explorers! Each day is different and we have loved seeing what each new season has to offer and making the most of it. It’s been a great year and we are all loving our routine of life in the woods.

 We are excited to announce that after February half term Friday sessions are being opened up! For more information on our Kindergarten and to register your interest click here.

Wildlings Forest Kindergarten is our OFSTED registered Early Years childcare provider, offering Pre-School education following EYFS. The Kindergarten currently runs Tuesday – Thursday and is suitable for children over the age of 2.5 years, and Government funding and childcare vouchers are accepted. The Kindergarten is run by our passionate and dedicated team of highly qualified staff, including Forest School and Early Years Educator level 3.

By using a child-led and play-based approach in a natural, outdoor setting, we build on the huge potential for learning and ‘whole development’ of the child. Wildlings promote the holistic development of each child, by fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners, through a range of play experiences.

Co-Founder, Beccy Spiers, said; “We are in a great position to support a child to be school ready, ensuring they have the key skills needed to thrive in the classroom, a love for learning, curiosity and creativity, ability to discuss ideas, dexterity, fine and gross motor skills which will enable them to be ready to sit, focus and use the hand eye coordination needed to write, as well as resilience and problem solving skills.”

OFSTED have recognised that the most valuable asset to a child care provision are the practitioners, and we operate with a very high adult to child ratio compared to other nurseries and pre-schools, which allows our staff to really get to know the individual children, which in turn supports and deepens their learning and ensures their safety in the woods. 

The ethos of Wildlings Kindergarten is that children are capable and interested, and the role of our staff is to nurture and help them learn, rather than dictate what should be taught. By using exciting and engaging play in the woods, combined with guidance, encouragement and suggestions, we enable young people to access the natural learning opportunities that are before them. 

Wildlings Forest Kindergarten started at the end of January 2021 with only 8 children, and due to the overwhelming success of both the staff and the Forest School setting, we are now open three days a week with waiting lists of children wanting to join. We are excited to announce that after February half term Friday sessions are being opened up! For more information on our Kindergarten and to register your interest click here.