At The Roche Nursery School, the children are at the heart of everything we do. We provide opportunities for all children to succeed and our child-led, hands-on learning in the outdoors is tailored to the children’s interests.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is an approach to learning based on the natural world in a forest or natural environment. The natural world becomes a classroom without walls and unlimited outcomes.
Based on the Early Years Foundation Stage, our sessions allow children to take risks and attempt new challenges outside a normal classroom environment. Climbing trees and whittling sticks add excitement and adventure for the children who can explore and manipulate the environment, using all their senses along the way.
Learning and the Curriculum
Forest schooling allows children to become confident, happy and free-spirited investigators, and their language develops quickly. It raises our children’s love and care for the natural environment whilst improving their self-esteem, confidence, general knowledge and an ‘I can’ attitude.
Wonder and excitement are established and creativity soars. Tasks are met head on, creating individual ways to solve problems. Friendships and trust are built and the children explore. They lead the learning so lesson plans are adapted to suit the interests and ideas of ‘The Roche Rangers’!
Experienced staff who are passionate about the Early Years guide children through exciting opportunities with open-ended outcomes. We pride ourselves on delivering learning opportunities that enable all to achieve, whatever their goal and whatever the weather!
On Site Forest Camp
Our magical forest camp in the heart of our garden provides far more than just outdoor play. It offers a rich, holistic learning environment where children thrive. Through regular forest camp sessions spent in nature, our children are encouraged to take manageable risks, solve problems and develop independence in a safe and supportive setting. Activities such as den building, exploring natural materials and observing seasonal changes help to strengthen fine and gross motor skills while deepening their understanding of the world around them.
The camp’s calming influence plays an important role in supporting emotional wellbeing, helping the children to simply ‘feel good’ and build strong social connections through cooperative play. Language and communication skills flourish as children share discoveries and engage in imaginative role play inspired by their surroundings. Above all, our forest camp nurtures environmental awareness, teaching the children to respect and care for living things while fostering a sense of responsibility for the planet – a topic close to our hearts.
