Children in Keir Hardie nursery class have benefitted from Early Years Worker Margo completing her Level 3 Forest Kindergarten training. Here`s some of the activities they`ve enjoyed in a very small wooded area in the school grounds. The whole school approach has also involved the school janitor.

Margo says………………

A few of the photographs are of the children working with a school buddy to tidy and improve a woodlands area.  This is a frequent experience that happens within the school year.   Recently we recycled all our branches etc. to be used as chipping for the area. The children were amazed as they witnessed the chipping being delivered in a truck and finding out what it would be used for. This has really given them an understanding about recycling.

A few photographs are of the school gardening club. This happened on a Thursday for 6 weeks after the nursery pm session. A poster was displayed to encourage our children and a parent /adult to participate. The school children also designed a flyer to give out to our children to invite them to join them in this gardening experience. Working collaboratively together is a vision shared within the school.  I worked with Allan Lynn (teacher), parents, grandparents/carers and the children to explore and tidy our school grounds. This was in various types of weather, rain being the most frequent condition!  What a great atmosphere. Being wet was fun for all!   

Majority of the photographs are of our nursery children exploring our other woodland area known to them as the ‘Woods’. This area we use frequently to explore the changing environment. Our children are familiar with the area and discuss the changes they witness.  Here they also explore climbing trees   and now have an understanding of risk assessment and safe risks. Imagination is used in this area frequently; a lot topic related, others initiated by play experiences. Recently we went on a bear hunt in this area; the environmental sounds heightened the children’s imagination. This area is also used for storytelling and outdoor snack experiences.