Forest School

Audience

Early years educators working with children under the age of three years.

Aims

At present, time and access for babies and toddlers are limited, but the outdoor environment has so much it can offer to our youngest children. This training hopes to enhance educators’ current knowledge of the benefits of the outdoors and how it can support younger children and babies. Throughout these sessions, learners will have the opportunity to explore:

• The impact of outdoor learning practices, focusing on our younger children and babies.
• Practical ‘hands-on’ experiences including sensory exploration, scavenger hunts and music creation.
• How outdoor learning complements the Early Years Foundation Stage through a variety of practical experiences and discussion  

Additional information

Cost: Members £22.50, non-members £37.50.

Booking and reservations for Early Years Workforce Development.

Audience

The course is suitable for adults working with children from birth to 11 years old, as the experiences can be adapted according to the child's age and stage of development.

Aims

This session is aimed at bringing our Forest School Practitioners and current trainees together, practice and refresh our skills, share up-to-date thinking and offer a variety of different activities
Our Development Days will include:

• Refreshing and practising core Forest School Skills such as shelters, knots, games, cooking and tool use.
• How to be inclusive to all children and explore how sensory circuits can become part of your forest school session.
• Time to think about up-to-date practice and theory.
• Time to consider the challenges we face in forest schools and add more ideas to our forest school toolkit.

Additional information

This is an outdoor training day, so please dress to suit the weather on the day.

Prior knowledge of Forest School is desirable. 

Cost: Members £58.50, non-members £97.50.

Booking and reservations for Early Years Workforce Development.

Audience

Forest School leaders and practitioners.

Aims

CambsEYC invites all our forest school leaders and practitioners to our peer support group. This will be a chance to share practice, refresh knowledge, collaborate and have fun. There will be a 30-minute discussion towards the end of the network. 

Additional information

Educators are encouraged to bring their equipment so that they can practice freely. Tarpaulin, rope, fire strikers, dead wood, etc. There will also be equipment to use on-site.  

Booking and reservations for Early Years Workforce Development.

Audience

All adults working in early years who are interested in learning about the Forest School approach.

Aims

This is aimed at practitioners wanting to find out about Forest School sessions and those with an interest in expanding their knowledge of outdoor learning opportunities. Throughout this course, learners will have the opportunity to explore:

• Consider the ethos and the six principles of Forest School.
• Look at the benefits of forest school for all.
• In-depth risk-benefit analysis.
• Practical ‘hands-on’ Forest School experiences to be able to implement this unique way of learning in your setting, including tool work, fire lighting and sensory activities.
• Consider how Forest School complements the early years foundation stage and the national curriculum through a variety of practical experiences and discussion. 

Additional information

This session is practical and will be held outdoors in a woodland environment, whatever the weather, please wear suitable clothing. It is always cooler under the canopy of the trees, and it is often muddy, so sturdy shoes or Wellington boots are recommended, along with warm, waterproof clothing. 

Cost: Members £58.50, non-members £97.50.

Booking and reservations for Early Years Workforce Development.