Forest School
Tansor Early Years aims to encourage and inspire children through positive outdoor experiences, which are proven to be particularly beneficial in Early Years Education.
We have excellent outdoor facilities at Tansor Village Hall which are used all year round. We are also very fortunate to have a dedicated woodland classroom site, hosted at Perio Farm, from Spring to Autumn.
Our Thursday morning Forest School sessions are held at Perio Farm every week from after Easter through to late October. This activity is done in all weathers except very heavy rain or high winds so the children need to arrive suitably dressed. We abide to the philosophy of “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”!
The children visit the woodland site and, through play, learn about the natural environment, how to solve problems and work with each other, learn to manage risks and explore for themselves. Once a group is established in the woodland and routines are set up, the project develops through a child-led approach, with activities being taken back to our Tansor setting, where they can be continued and developed further.
Research has shown that outdoor play has a substantial impact on the development of children. The children are/have:
- More socially confident
- Have greater concentration levels
- Improved co-ordination
- Increased motivation
- Better self-esteem
- Increased independence
All of the skills learnt here are supported by the Early Years Foundation Stage educational framework.
What activities can the children do?
There are a range of activities that children participate in and are often based on a ‘theme’ for the session. They include some of the following:
- Mini-beast hunting
- Treasure huntin
g - Bird nest building
- Teddy hunt / Teddy Bear’s Picnic
- Mud painting
- Bark rubbing
- Shelter building
- Animal tracking
- Hide & Seek
- Woodland art and sculptures
Parents are responsible for transporting their children to and from the area of woodland.
During the winter months, all Thursday morning sessions are held at Tansor Village Hall.
If very poor weather is expected, such as very heavy rain or high winds, sessions may be relocated back to Tansor Village Hall. Parents will be notified of this in advance by email.
This is available to children who will be starting school in the September and requires booking as spaces are limited. Children who are not allocated a Forest School space, or are not old enough to attend can still attend the session at the village hall.
