The Six Principles Of Forest Schools
Our Ethos
Here at Loxley Nursery children have the freedom, time and space to learn and demonstrate independence. We use natural, holistic resources, to encourage children to observe closely and to use all their senses, for a high quality learning experience. Our resources provide opportunities for sorting, classifying and using descriptive language – all important skills and dispositions for young children. It is our role to provide an interesting and ever-changing environment for children to explore in an ideal way to develop their curiosity, provide opportunities for them to ask questions, and to talk about things they have discovered through unstructured play in a natural setting. Children gain increased awareness of the consequences of their actions through team activities, and learn to manage stress, build self confidence and develop coping skills. ‘Modeling’ plays a big part in our daily routines, we believe that by demonstrating a caring, considerate and respectful attitude to all, that children will follow suit. If we are teaching rules then we ensure to follow them ourselves! We are an inclusive nursery, where we focus on the child's needs rather than their ability. This makes us accessible for any child, based on them being a unique individual, and creating NO boundaries for language, race or ethnicity.
Forest School Approach
An approach to thriving in the Forest!
We are based in a beautiful area of Loxley, Sheffield. Where we are fully immersed in nature. We are in a small building on a school site, with our own outside area. We are lucky to have both inside and outside areas for free flow play and learning. Our inside nursery is set up to bring the outside indoors, this gives plenty of opportunities for children to play using their imagination with natural resources, whilst developing key skills and language through their free play. We use our local surrounding areas daily. The amazing views of Loxley countryside from our setting are delightful to watch whilst we observe the changing seasons. Each day at Loxley is different, we go for local community walks , we visit the local farm to see the chickens and pigs, there is also an allotment there that we have helped to plant produce in. We use the local woodlands to have small fires, where we cook bread, roast marshmallows and a variety of different tasty snacks. We make ‘dens’ with natural resources and put up tarps and hammocks. We also have access to the natural environment further afield, the larger woodland areas, open fields to run through the long grass, and the local garden center. Play is a crucial element in supporting children’s health, development and well-being, and a means through which they experiment, develop their abilities, get creative and explore the world around them. Effective play enables children to explore and create rules and understandings, develop resilience, be active, be creative and imaginative, practice new skills, learn about risks, stimulate their senses and build friendships and relationships. Play can contribute immensely to children’s enjoyment of childhood, offering a place of sanctuary, and also providing a therapeutic function, by helping them to deal with emotional circumstances and issues that can occur in their lives.
