We are offering an amazing opportunity for your children to come and join us at Keepers Gate forest pre-school and holiday club in Weston super Mare
What Is Forest School?
Forest school is a child-centred inspirational learning process that offers opportunities for holistic growth. It supports play, exploration and supported risk- taking to children in the outdoors.
It develops confidence and self-esteem through inspired, hands on experiences in a beautiful, natural environment.
Forest School roots reach back to the open-air culture, seen as a way of life in Scandinavia. It then arrived in the UK in 1993 and has grown from strength to strength ever since. (forestschoolassociation.org)
Our Ethos
At Keepers Gate Forest School we will encourage children to explore and be at one with nature, giving them a sense of freedom and belonging. They will spend uninterrupted time outdoors, immersed in our natural world. Playing, investigating, exploring, learning to take risks, making friends, showing curiosity and building resilience.
Children will learn to care for their environment, gain a great knowledge and understanding of our eco-system and why the wildlife is so important to their future.
The outdoor environment is vitally important to a child’s mental health and well-being. To live and breathe these experiences every day will be an amazing opportunity for any child.
What Are The Benefits Of Forest School?
The health benefits for the children attending the Forest School are huge, physically and mentally.
Physical Health
At Forest School children are physically active and this naturally improves their stamina. They will develop their gross and fine motor skills while absorbed in chosen activities. The Forest School experience can also lead to the development of healthier lifestyles as children instinctively realise the benefits to being in their natural environment. It is such a diverse learning environment that this naturally encourages the development of rich language and communication skills.
Taking risks & staying safe
The ‘wild’, and yet controlled, safe environment of Forest School ensures that children naturally learn to assess risk. With adult support they are encouraged to make sensible and informed decisions about how to deal with unfamiliar and unpredictable situations, such as exploring or climbing trees, using tools to build shelters and dens. So much of the learning for a child comes as a result of the opportunities they have when testing their own abilities.
Enjoying & achieving
Children will be given the time and freedom to become deeply involved in activities at Forest School. They will be proud of themselves when they overcome challenges, which will give them a 'can do' attitude. When given opportunities, children are powerful learners and this enables them to develop as curious, creative, resilient learners throughout life. Every child will grow in self-confidence and self-esteem. This has such a positive impact on their emotional and mental well-being.
Keepers Gate Forest School photos
