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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there should be more, many more, forest schools?

91 replies

Gincognito · 27/08/2011 22:42

And to wonder why anyone wouldn't want to send their pre-school dc to one?

It just seems like such a fabulous idea - all that time out in nature, learning how to manage risk (eg setting boundaries, learning why you have to walk around the fire, not touch the fungi etc), developing motor skills, engaging in imaginative play...

Sorry, don't mind me. I'm just reading Last Child in the Woods .

OP posts:
Original poster
Gincognito · 28/08/2011 08:43

Sunny, I am so jealous! Assuming you're not in the UK. Where are all these fab schools?

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sunnyflora · 28/08/2011 08:45

The children are not under a tarp.

I don't want to out the kindergarten but there are built wooden structures for shelter, each one has a fire or stove.

There is also a stone built house for very windy days/ proper toilets.

Original poster
Gincognito · 28/08/2011 08:50

Aha, found the article.

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bittentothequick · 28/08/2011 08:51

My friends' children go to that one near Dorking Gincognito, it does sound lovely!

sunnyflora · 28/08/2011 08:58

Thank you for an excellent article, Gin.

I am in Scotland and here is a link to one of the two Nature Kindergartens. Ignore the tarp at the bottom.Grin It blew down so has been replaced with a proper wooden hut.

Last year, I took the headmaster from my daughter's special school for a visit and he introduced some elements and ideas from the nature nursery into the curriculum for older SEN students, to great success.

Leda · 28/08/2011 09:12

I met someone who worked at the school in Scotland. He described how they would herd groups of small sobbing children up hills in the rain everyday. He thought it was great though...

sunnyflora · 28/08/2011 09:19

You make it sound as though the children are unhappy, Leda.

Some of the younger children take a little while to settle in when they newly arrive, they miss their parent/s and don't know the other children so tears happen.

The staff or other parents are happy to cuddle and reassure any tearful child and they tend to settle in well. Just like any other nursery.

I am not saying that it is the be all and end all but this type of kindergarten suits my child's needs and he is extremely happy there. He would tell me if they were forced to run up hills in the rain.

Bathsheba · 28/08/2011 09:23

I do love the idea of this one in Glasgow Woodland Outdoor Kindergarten

I think they are outside about 99% of the time, including naps

MotherOfHobbit · 28/08/2011 09:23

Wow, hadn't even hard of them but they sound lovely.

Suncottage · 28/08/2011 09:25

I went to a primary/kindergarten school (menny, menny years ago) in the middle of a wood and our lessons were always outside in the summer.

It was child heaven and the little ones used to have their afternoon nap in little cots under the trees.

When I went to the local junior school it was a shock to be in a classroom on a baking hot day. I still can't bear to be stuck inside.

It was not a 'Forest School' but quite laid back and hippy (it was the 70's)

Smile at the happy memories.

tryingtoleave · 28/08/2011 10:01

I read the article and I still think it sounds hideous. And it is such nonsense that children don't feel the cold.

It also sounds a bit blood and soil ish to me.

acsec · 28/08/2011 10:07

I would love to set up a Forest School, however seeing as though I have no money and the government have none to give me I will just be spending more time with my class outside at the park and in the nature garden.

IndigoBell · 28/08/2011 11:11

acsec - the govt is giving money to anyone who wants to set up a free school. If you can find enough interested parents - the money's the easy part.

sunnyflora · 28/08/2011 11:15

help with funding for training

NasalCoffeeEnema · 28/08/2011 11:17

I always wished there was one near us. But no such luck

Original poster
Gincognito · 28/08/2011 19:40

Suncottage, your school sounds blissful!

Sunny, thanks for that link. Scotland seem to be way ahead.

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acsec · 28/08/2011 19:42

OOOH exciting stuff - I have other EYrs professionals interested, but it won't be this year as we are back at school in a week, but I will have a look into it. Thank you Indigo :o

Original poster
Gincognito · 28/08/2011 19:53

Acsec, can I come send my dc? :o

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acsec · 28/08/2011 19:55

If I set one up I'll let you all know and you can all send you DCs :)

Psammead · 28/08/2011 20:10

My SIL teaches at a Waldkindergarten. They have a caravan with loos and a small kitchen etc.

Tonksforthememories · 28/08/2011 23:01

Sorry, just got back on the thread!
Ours is in the midlands, it's a primary school that has been running for many years but in 2010 the PTA were asked to help fund a Forest School initiative. We've paid for trees, woodland learning areas, a weather station, (already have a natural pond) , and greenhouses. School has funded teacher training.

It started with reception year 2010 and is doing great, the kids love it and the teachers are enthusiastic. Currently it's running alongside the regular primary and will continue to do so for the forseable future!

BakeliteBelle · 28/08/2011 23:51

They sound sort of lovely but sort of like Gordonstoun, circa Prince Charles's era.

I can't quite see what building fires is going to teach them, that the scouts - or parents - can't. The quality of the school will depend on the teachers, not the environment. I would worry about free schools and abandoning local authority aid and control - my friend was repeatedly sexually abused at one of these 'lovely', free schools.

What about just making sure all schools have really lovely Forest Gardens, like my ds's city primary school?

tryingtoleave · 29/08/2011 08:43

Why is it good for children to spend all day outdoors?

veryundecided · 29/08/2011 09:01

what is intrinsically better about being always outdoors - surely it is a natural instinct in humans to seek shelter in bad conditions, and has been for hundreds of thousands of years?

when I am at work with sleet lashing down the windows I would like to think that my DC are warm and dry in a cosy classroom, not shivering under a tarp.

lovely in good weather, though.

Original poster
Gincognito · 29/08/2011 09:14

Very, sorry, it sounds like I was going over the top at the start of the thread in a call of the wild frenzy :o From what other posters with actual experience have said it seems that forest schools have caravans/huts to shelter in and would never force a child to be outside if they didn't want to.

Trying, I guess it depends on whether you subscribe to the biophilia theory, ie that humans are innately drawn to the natural environment. Of course as you say we seek shelter at times but I believe we've gone too far the other way - these schools are just seeking to redress the balance.

I really recommend Last Child in the Woods as an introduction to the (fairly substantial) research into the benefits of being outdoors. Shall I hunt down some links? Sorry, got to dash out now.

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