Our Natural Environment & Forest School
Each classroom has their own dedicated outside space which are available for use most of the day.
In addition, Hopscotch boasts a vegetable garden and our special nature garden which was landscaped with thanks to Natural England, Christchurch and East Dorset District Council and Project Nurture.
Hopscotch backs onto Parley Common which is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). Another name used locally for the common include The Heath as it is largely a shrubland habitat characterised by open, low-growing woody vegetation. A number of our staff are Forest School trained, and make the use of such a wonderful natural environment on our doorstep by taking small groups out onto the heath. Any such visit focuses on learning, and in particular communication, self esteem and team work. All external visits follow our comprehensive approach for risk and safety.
What is Forest School?
The philosophy and roots of Forest School can be traced back to a number of sources as far back as the 19th Century. This includes the ideas from educationalists such as Rosseau and Frobel, the woodcraft movements, the Native Americans and the Quakers.
In the 1950’s the original Forest School concept was developed in Sweden. Children built self-esteem and independence through hands on play in a woodland setting. This Swedish concept was then further developed by Scandinavia and other European countries and it was established in Denmark in the 1980’s.
In 1993, a group of nursery nurse students and professionals from Bridgewater College, Somerset visited Denmark to observe Danish Forest School for themselves. What they discovered was so inspirational that they brought the concept back to Britain and set up the first British Forest School. Since then the movement has grown quickly.
Forest School can now be delivered alongside conventional education methods to provide children with the ability to transfer their skills they learn into everyday life.
The focus is on reconnecting (or in some cases ‘connecting’) children with their local outdoor environment, giving them the space and freedom to discover, play, explore and learn within a natural, outdoor setting.
Forest School has and is now being used with children of all ages; both mainstream and with children with specific emotional and behavioural needs, with amazing results. Children that are known not to concentrate well in class are coming to Forest School and excelling in practical, hands-on tasks which engage them. Improved social skills, greater peer interaction, stronger relationships and better problem solving abilities are all benefits attributed to Forest School attendees.
No child can fail at Forest School; they all manage to take something positive from the experience. Forest School is holistic learning through play and exploration. Children learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and to use their own initiate to solve problems and cooperate with others.
Forest School Ethos
Forest School is an inspirational process that offers all learners regular opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands on learning experiences in a natural environment with trees. Forest School is a specialised approach that sits within and complements the wider context of outdoor and woodland learning.
Our Forest School site is located at the back of the Nursery building within the newly refurbished Forest School garden classroom. There are many different trees present and the area has been used previously as a sensory garden designed by the park rangers at Moors Valley Country Park. We also have a designated mud kitchen area and a mini beast hotel. The Forest School is run by Forest School level 3 Leaders, supported by qualified member of the Hopscotch team and other enthusiastic early year’s educators.
Hopscotch Pre-School and Nursery aims to provide learner led forest school sessions for all our pre-school children within the magical Forest School garden and the special SSSR protected Parley common heathland. Our sessions in these areas offer children opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem through hands on learning experiences. Learning experiences are loosely structured in order to accommodate the interests and curiosity of each child.
Today's children are often wrapped in cotton wool where they are unable to make their own judgements about risk. Forest School enables children to experience managed risk and make their own decisions and therefore help produce more confident individuals. Physical activity through games, crafts and play encourages better development of gross and fine motor skills developing a more balanced and a fitter child.
Hopscotch Pre-school,
Barns Road, Ferndown, BH22 8XH |
Hopscotch Pre-school is a Community Interest Company (CIC) and is registered in England and Wales as Hopscotch Pre-school CIC with registered address Barns Road, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 8XH and company number 08948567.