Outdoor Play
Forest School Approach
Forest School Activities
Twice a week, for children in Chapter House (Preschool) there are planned opportunities for children in smaller groups with higher staff ratios, to participate in Forest School activities. Led by Jessica Boyten, a Qualified Forest School practitioner, the children engage in a variety of experiences that allow them to explore, learn new skills and engage in activities designed to challenge their physical skills to develop confidence as they achieve personal goals. Forest School sessions are in the gardens at Saplings on a Tuesday and Thursday morning.
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Risky Play
Risk taking is Beneficial to children​
There is a huge difference between putting a child at risk and allowing a child to take risks. Whilst there is quite rightly much emphasis on safeguarding children in early years settings, we are confident in our own competence and ‘take a risk ourselves’. Children need and instinctively want to be able to take risks in order that they can test their abilities and strengths. What better environment for them to do so than at Saplings, where staff have removed hazards not readily identifiable to young children and provide well-managed opportunities for appropriate risk-taking to take place?
Mud Kitchen
Saplings Mud Kitchen
Earlier in the year we put out a request for old kitchen equipment no longer in use and some parents very readily offered us a variety of kitchen equipment to use. Now we have an oven, microwave, washing machine, belfast sink and a huge array of smaller pots, pans and utensils. The children thoroughly enjoy their time in this area, there is nothing better for them to bring the traditional indoor play kitchen outdoors to combine the experience with the two best elements of play - mud and water!