Forest School

At Children's House Montessori we believe in the holistic development of the child this includes physical, intellectual, linguistic and emotional and social development. A happy child with their needs met will learn, most importantly they will love learning.

The Montessori approach with Forest school is the perfect environment to enable children to access the opportunity to love learning and grow.

We have extensive woodland grounds to access on breath taking Birling Estate grounds which we do weekly in our planned Forest school sessions.

All sessions are delivered and lead by a level three Qualified Forest School lead.

Children love the freedom and opportunities Forest school provides and demonstrate high levels of wellbeing and engagement.

"I love our Forest School, I never want to leave." Jensen

"Randa, I can't tell you what a difference Forest school has made to Jessica she has grown in every way and is so happy, thank you." Jessica's mum

What is Forest School?

"Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees.

Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education. Forest School is a feeling you can't put into words.

The ethos is shared by thousands of trained practitioners across the UK and beyond. Its roots reach back to early years pioneers in outdoor learning and across the sea to Scandinavia."

Forest School Association

Principles of Forest School

These principles were first articulated by the Forest School Community in 2002. They were published on the Institute for Outdoor Learning Forest School 2012.

• FS is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than a one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.
• FS takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
• FS uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.
• FS aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
• FS offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.