Outdoor nursery - what do you all think??

[MintChocAddict]

Was reading the local paper today and there was an article about a new outdoor nursery for 3-5 year olds. Apparently the children will spend the majority of their time in a wooded area of a large park and will only use a local hall in bad weather.

They will follow the national curriculum but will also learn den building, animal tracking and vegetable planting. The ratio of staff to children will be higher due to the outdoor environment.

I know that nurseries like this already exist around the country and I go between thinking it's a genius idea and thinking it's completely nuts! I would love the idea of my DS getting fresh air and exercise all the time at nursery, but then I remember that I live in Scotland and it's a bit cold.
What does everyone think? Should I get his name down?

[MintChocAddict]

That'll be a no then.

[hester]

I think they do this in Denmark, don't they? Presumably they'll have good arrangements for raincover and warmth? It's a lovely idea; I'd find out more about it and get his name down.

[ZephirineDrouhin]

I would. Sounds great.

[Lifeinagoldfishbowl]

Have heard of these before and they sound fab!!

[Littlefish]

I think it's fantastic! I would definitely send my dd there. She spends most of her day outside at nursery as it is, plus they use a forest school a couple of times a week.

[Katymac]

Sounds fab - I would love it (but hate to work in it - I get cold; but children would be fine - they never stop moving)

[MintChocAddict]

I think I'll try to go to the open day.

Another question - Do you think school would be a big disappointment and seem very restrictive after attending this type of nursery?

[puffylovett]

Have read about these in The Green Parent, they're always really highly spoken of. I would be jumping at the opportunity for my DS. Can't answer your school question, though - soz.

[puffylovett]

Oh sorry I see what you mean ! I thought you meant would the school disapprove Doh

I guess it might seem restrictive, but he would soon adjust, and surely it's much better for him to have and use this opportunity whilst it's available ?

[Lifeinagoldfishbowl]

I wouldn't have thought so - although there are also forest schools for the older pupils.

[Katymac]

I've done a forest schools level 1 course & I loved it (although I struggled physically as I have long standing health problems)

But the things I use from the course with my babies they love

I have to be honest the parents aren't always very keen - but I persevere

[WigglewithWine]

I picked up a leaflet for this too and thought it sounded a genius idea but also had the concern about 'normal' school seeming very restrictive afterwards. Is it a lot more expensive than other nurseries?

[Colonelcupcake]

I would love to have something in my area for my two ds's and would jump at the chance

[MintChocAddict]

£39 per day. Slightly more expensive that DS current nursery, but not a huge difference.

[Lifeinagoldfishbowl]

Where did you do your forest course Katy Mac?

[WigglewithWine]

Thats the same price as the nursery DD will be going to so good value IMO.

[Katymac]

In Norfolk

I need to do a longer course to become a practitioner but it's run with a weeks practical & I can't do that

[toddlerama]

That would be amazing! I think they do this in Wales somewhere too. Very jealous of the opportunity - grab it!

[OnceWasSquiffy]

My DC's attend a school which has a forest area for 3-7YO's, which is shared by all the classes.

My DS loves it, as do all his friends. If you google the concept you will find an awful lot of evidence that this develops a ton of skills that are applicable to the classroom environment later and am sure research has shown that children perform better subsequently in the normal school environment than those who go through normal nursery settings.

The school my DC attends do it come rain, sleet or snow. They build fires, roast marshmallows, learn how to climb trees, play cowboys and indians etc. I even have a photo of my DS (just turned 5) 'whittling' a stick with a real rambo knife (though I do admit that one was a bit of a surprise ).

I wish all kids had this kind of opportunity.

[NannyBeth]

We learnt about similar pre-schools somewhere (could have been Denmark, was somewhere like this) during my Uni degree, and they sound fabulous. If I weren't so happy nannying at the moment, I would definately consider training and working in this kind of setting! I personally love the outdoors and try to get out despite the weather (my current charges and I go jumping in muddy puddles like Peppa Pig when its raining :D great fun! - tho I'm glad the house is a short watch to the park for warmth reasons!!) so this sounds fantastic.

I would at least go to the open day, I think it offers great opportunities that they may not otherwise ever be exposed to!

And in response to the knife - in Uni we also learnt that it is very very good practise to have a 'woodwork' area in a preschool (3-5 yr olds) room, including proper hand saws, hammers, nails, etc. Obviously, this area would need to be supervised very closely, but I think if you give children the opportunity to use these sorts of materials in a safe environment, it actually helps their self esteem, etc. and they learn how to use these 'dangerous' materials in a safe way! (sorry for the rant, but I think it really does work!)