Bo’ness Public Nursery staff identified a small woodland area within Douglas Park which they identified as an ideal site within walking distance of the Nursery.
As part of the Outdoor Learning Project within Falkirk Council, Karen Thomson, Senior Early Years Officer, Falkirk Council Education Services Curriculum Support Teamvisited the site and carried out a risk assessment with the staff. Following information sessions for the parents (powerpoint for parents) the children began their sessions in the woods on 5th March.
Over the past few weeks Karen Thomson, Senior Early Years Officer, Falkirk Council Education Services Curriculum Support Team, has held Parent Information and ‘Come and Play’ Sessions to enable parents to become more informed of the outdoor learning initiative that Nethermains Nursery Class have taken forward.
These sessions have proved very successful with parents being able to explore the woodland with their child and becoming more aware of the benefits of outdoor play and learning. Many of the parents discussed the shift in attitudes towards play since they were children and the importance of them knowing their child is safe while in this exciting environment.
Here is some video footage of the children’s experiences in the woodland.
Over the past three weeks, Karen Thomson, Senior Early Years Officer, Falkirk Council Education Services Curriculum Support Team, has been supporting St Patrick’s Nursery Class to access the Stoneywood Woods in Denny as part of the nursery session. This initially involved meetings with Karen Downie, Principal Teacher, to identify and risk assess the site and address any issues that may arise. Information was then sent out to parents to inform them of the new inititiative that their children would have the opportunity to take part in (see parent presentation). Karen then held information sessions for the parents to come along to and ask any questions they may have. Having gained consent from the parents, all nursery children have now had the opportunity to access these woods for the full nursery session, the children are dropped off and collected at a meeting point and then staff walk with the children into the woods. As with any normal nursery session, the children are given the opportunity to play freely, explore their own interests, the environment, build confidence and take risks. The children also have a warm snack while outdoors. Some activities are set for the children (for example maths activities such as measuring and information handling).
It is now planned that staff will take this inititiave forward in the summer term and also look at other green spaces around the school to give the children the opportunity to explore a number of different environments. It is also planned to take this forward throughout the school.
Have a look at the videos taken throughout the sessions:-
Karen Thomson, Senior Early Years Officer, Falkirk Council Education Services, Curriculum Support Team provided support to nurseries prior to outdoor learning opportunities for early years children.
If you would like your nursery children to access a local woodland or greenspace here are some of the documents that could get you starting in your planning. If you wish support in setting up this programme and supported visits from myself please contact me on 01324 503764.
Jane Jackson – Outdoor Learning Development Officer of the Falkirk Council Education Services Curriculum Support Team organised the first Outdoor Learning Network within Falkirk.
The outdoor learning network has been established to assist schools with delivering CfE through Outdoor Learning. As well as giving opportunities for colleagues to share good practice the network will link schools with outside providers who can help with the delivery of outdoor learning.
Comments from participants have included:
“Great meeting last week. was very pleased to be part of it so thanks for inviting me along.”
Bo’ness Public Nursery staff identified a small woodland area within Douglas Park which they identified as an ideal site within walking distance of the Nursery.
