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Outdoor Play

Saplings Wodland,Forest School, Henham

Forest School Approach 

Saplings Woodland

We have recently acquired the use of a woodland in Little Canfield to use for a Forest School. It is a lovely woodland close to Little Canfield Church, The woodland is used by the preschool children two days a week. We have a qualified Forest School leader, supported by two experienced early years staff.

Children are taken in the minibus on a Tuesday & Thursday morning each week in term time.

The woodland is large, enclosed with fencing, hedgerows and trees and thThe wood is provately owned by a local farmer and is not open to the public. A public footpath runs outside the woodland, along its fenced length.

Risk taking is beneficial to children. Saplings Nursery risky play

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 Nursery, Henham

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!

© 2023 by Saplings Nursery

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