Forest School for Baby?

[sleepymummy2019]

My 11 month old is in the middle of her nursery settling in sessions and I feel I might have made a mistake. I’d be grateful for opinions about what I should do. She’s a lovely energetic, confident baby and I thought the approach would suit her.

It’s a forest nursery, they spend 6 hours a day outside. They recommend 3x 2-hour settling in sessions then starting full days, tomorrow is the last settling in session. I start work again next week. I guess I should have started the sessions a few weeks ago but I didn’t think of it.

The first session she was reportedly fine at first, then got upset and fell asleep in a hammock. When I arrived she was asleep, making those little sobs that show she’s been crying hard. The second session it was raining heavily when I picked her up, she was awake, soaking wet and again crying hard. They said she hadn’t been upset for long.

I’m not sure if I like the staff, they’ve not spent long at all speaking to me. I’m not sure that she’ll have anything to do, except watch the bigger kids play and do activities. I hope the soaking was just an anomaly, but what if it wasn’t, and she spends half the winter cold and damp? I feel so anxious about it 😔

Is this normal mum guilt? Should we give it a try, or just find somewhere else? Does anyone have a baby who’s been to forest nursery so young?

What made you choose it in the first place? Try to remember those reasons. It wouldn’t be my choice but you must have thought it was the best one out of those you viewed?

What do the other kids her age do?

Do they have any inside space? I would speak to them regarding your concerns about activities and that she was uncomfortable.

Was she wearing waterproofs or just in normal clothes?

My DS goes to a nursery that has a forest school, they do go out in all weathers but they're always dressed up and they do have a building.

The preschool don't come inside but Babies and toddlers do

Was she in a hammock in the rain with no shelter?

I love the idea of forest schools and dd1 attended a preschool one for a while when she was 3. I think this is a better age if I’m honest. She could get really hands on, communicate her needs and cope better with cold etc. They had a building though and if it was raining heavily they would go inside. I can’t imagine letting an 11 month old get soaked, that sounds neglectful.

From what you’ve said it doesn’t sound like it’s the right setting for your dd. In your position I think I’d find somewhere else inside until she is at least two and then try again maybe at a different forest school setting. As the staff at this one don’t seem very attentive to either of your needs.

Go with your gut. Find one where you like staff. I went with supposedly fab attached to private school nursery first and staff were unpleasant. Dd came home with poo on her, they always emptied her lunch box so I never knew what she'd eaten and o arrived early once to find them frog marching her across the playground. She cried when she went there. after four sessions I took her out and found a less exclusive but still small nursery which was sunny and friendly. so, so much better.

What I liked about it originally was the staff, the idea that she would have lots of space and freedom, not being cooped up all day inside. And several friends have children who go to the sister nursery on the other side of town and recommend it.

What do the other kids her age do - I really don’t know, sit around and watch as far as I can see. Clearly I need to ask them about this.

Yes they have an inside space, they start the day there but only go back for extreme weather. To be fair I think they did go back in after we took her home. But they don’t do it regularly.

She was wearing normal clothes, a coat, hat, waterproof boots and the waterproof overall the nursery provide; this is what staff had advised I dress her in. Clearly none of it was entirely waterproof 🤦‍♀️ It was unusually heavy rain I suppose.

No, it wasn’t raining when she was in the hammock, it was quite a mild day. The next day it rained. They didn’t have the hammocks our, when I went to collect her all the kids were crowded under a little tent canopy. It looked very miserable ☹️

There’s another nursery I liked nearby which still has places. My friend who has kids in forest nursery says I should give it a month and see how she settles, I just don’t know.

My partner is lovely, but he hasn’t visited any of them and is a bit “I trust your judgement” about it all, so hasn’t been especially helpful. Especially now my judgement is affected by how anxious and guilty I feel!

I think she's probably a bit little for a forest nursery. I was looking at one for my DD but I think it's more for 2+ really so she can actually enjoy the activities. In fact, the one I was looking at doesn't take them so young anyway.

If you do take her out, she can always go back when she's a bit bigger?

I love the forest school concept and think it's great for children, however I do think it's best suited for 3 years +

Go with your gut feeling. If it doesn't feel right then move her, you can always move back eventually

This is a new one on me, I can't see how it can be practical or pleasant to spend so long outside especially at such a young age. Are they honestly out for most of the day in winter? It sounds a bit miserable & a bit much for a baby. My dd2 took a while to settle at nursery & I remember the awful little sobs in her sleep that you described. It still makes me sad even though it was many years ago. I hope you find somewhere you're both happier with.

My daughter is 2 years and 10 months and although she absolutely loves being outside, goes out in all weather properly attired. We chose to send her to a regular nursery with free flow outside as I don’t believe she has the ability to say she doesn’t want to be outside (all day) in the torrential rain, frost or snow. As pp said once she turns 3 we will reassess. As you yourself said she will mainly just be watching the older kids for a while yet. Go with your gut.

I pulled DS out of forest nursery at that age. His diary every day was "DS enjoyed watching the older kids do xx" not good enough.

I moved him to a childminder. He is 3 now. Loved the cm from day 1. Got to do activities and copy the big kids

The concept of forest school is that children learn things for themselves. Eg if I climb on this wet log I might slip. If I put my hands in water I may get wet and cold. How do they deal with nappy changing and hygiene for children under a year? Forest school is fabulous and helps children identify with their own needs and choices. At 11 months I wonder if this concept is a little bit too advanced?? I adore forest school but I would not send my own child so young to one.

I really disagree with these.

All children have a right to be safe, warm and secure. I really think that having an indoor space is important for young babies and toddlers. My little one loves to play outside but I know he wants a safe, warm and dry place to sleep or to be if he is upset.

Find a good nursery. They will have free flow or access to outside space. My DS goes outside for a good play in a lovely space every morning. They often go out again after tea. In between times he sleeps and eats indoors and goes to the sensory room, sings songs and does painting. He loves it. They really don't need to be outside constantly. At least not at that age.

Spending the winter outdoors sounds miserable!

DC went to a nursery attached to a farm. They spent a lot of time outside, even as babies, but always wrapped up warm. I love the concept of Forest School but at 11months it seems a bit too much, particularly as you don't warm to the staff either.

I would be tempted to move DC to the other nursery. At that age I would be looking for staff that I trust, opportunities for DC to escape the weather, sleep and have cuddles, and also a range of age appropriate activities. Spending the whole day outside watching other children play wouldn't do it for me.

I'm a huge advocate for forest school and children being outdoors, so many more children need this... but all day at 11 months is too much for my liking. Children need the contrast and have a warm, loving, cosy space to rest and recoup.
Have you had her outside for that length of time during your MAT leave? Surely you've played on the carpet and snuggled on the bed etc

I wouldn’t want my 11month old baby outside all day. What happens during winter?

I think a warm nurturing place is where they need to be, with access to some outdoors time weather permitting.

But you need it to be right for your daughter and yourselves x

I think that sounds fine as long as the being wet thing is just because she got wet right before you got there. Both of mine have gone to a nursery that spends most of the day outside. Babies go in waterproofs with lots of warm socks and a waterproof layer over their feet. They sleep outside on mats under a shade. They let them play and explore and they change them periodically as they wet and muddy. You just have to provide lots of changes of clothes and warm coats/jumpers. Generally, they have always been dry when I pick them up, but you can't help it if they throw themselves in water just before you get there. It happens sometimes. I just bundled them into the car and we changed into dry clothes at home. Remember that a baby who just sits there and watches now will be a toddler splashing in puddles with friends in only a few months.

And the crying and being upset is very normal. It's what happens at settling in and it will take a few months probably. Both of mine were unsettled for about 2-3 months, but then it was fine and they loved it. Eldest was in an outdoor nursery from 9 months to 4.5 and youngest started at 11 months. I feel sad for all the other kids who just sit inside all day or go out for an hour on some plastic grass in a courtyard.

just sitting watching other kids is all very well but babies need other stimulation- sand, water ,toys, noisy things ,being able to crawl around
11 months is too young for that sort of all day outdoor environment

It doesn’t sound like a great environment for an 11 month old to be honest. I bet it costs a fortune too and she won’t be getting anything special out of it at this age in my opinion. Definitely better for older toddlers, I’m surprised they take babies. I’d find something else.