Outdoor setting/ forest school instead of nursery

[Mrspeabea]

Am I crazy?

I live close to Huge woods and forests and farms and close by there’s 2 different daycare options, a traditional nursery or an outdoor setting!! I love the idea of my 2yo spending most of the day outside feeding chickens and planting in the allotment even playing in a proper mud kitchen and huge fairy house. Am I mad for choosing that over a traditional? Has anyone used a forest school?

That sounds brilliant OP. I'd check their arrangements for when DC are napping, really bad weather and when the DC just need quiet time, but otherwise be very pleased to have local provision like this.

I really regret not putting DD into forest nursery, I found out about it too late. I would if I had my time again. Good questions above re nap and quiet time etc

They have like chill out zones like blankets and beanbags in a huge fairy house ‘summer house’ and indoor areas with sofas and cots, they are out in most weather as long as they are dressed to the weather but there is indoor rooms for food and some for reading and napping filled with toys. It’s basically a big nursery but 75% is outside 25% inside space wise. Do you think she will come along more in this environment? - also they collect the chicken eggs each morning ready to sell to parents which I think is beyond cute.

I'm thinking about it although DS is only 1 at the moment so we don't need to decide yet. My friend did half and half so that her DC got to experience forest school and traditional preschool.

It’s a brilliant way of learning, encourages a child’s natural curiosity and, obviously, promotes a way of living alongside/within Nature.

I have used two different settings with forest school. First one was a nursery that had a woods and generally gave all of the children a 1/2 day a week from two. The other was a full day forest school. My daughter loved them both but went to the full-on one this summer after lockdown ended. Your one sounds like it would give a nice balance.

For my second child, I’ll try and get her a day per week at the full-on one in spring/summer once she’s 3. I wouldn’t have liked the set-up for a child still in nappies or needing a bit more care. And I’m not 100% convinced about how fun it would be in winter.

Sorry realised wasn’t clear. From what you’ve said I’d totally pick your forest school given it has some indoor provision- it sounds lovely.