Welcome to Willow's Forest School,
We understand times are very tricky right now and our thoughts are with those who are really struggling during these unprecedented times. We have worked tirelessly behind the scenes but we just could not meet the Covid19 requirements, so we have sadly cancelled our holiday camps, but hope to be back in 2021. We feel that we are going to be in this pandemic for some time so we have had to make some significant changes to the way we run our toddler classes and we hope to be back to normal soon. Sadly taster sessions cannot run, as we cannot mix bubbles, baby siblings who used to attend for free are still welcome to do so if they are not on the move and are in a carrier or pram and we cannot have any one swapping their classes once we have started. On a positive note we have payment plans in place and we have introduced a new session for those who wish to come and join us for just 1 hour for a 6 week term. Our Stay and Play sessions are a great introduction to our Parent and Toddler sessions, which are 2 hours and for a full term. All of our classes start back on week commencing Monday 14th September. Email
https://bookwhen.com/willowsforestschoolstayandplay // https://bookwhen.com/willowsforestschool
A message from us...
We would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us through these extremely challenging times but we are not out of the woods yet!. Please can we ask that if you do not agree with our T&C's then please do not book with us. We are a small business trying to stay afloat through these challenging times and although we are not trading, we still have costs to meet. The fees paid to us by our customers are thrown back into the running of our small business to ensure we can meet the high standards you are used to. When you book with us you are prompted to read the T&C's as you complete the booking form. We politely ask that you to do this to avoid any upset further down the line. We do hope to be back to some normality soon.
Thanks very much and stay safe.
Willow's Forest School
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We offer a safe and fun outdoor experience for walkers or 18 months up to 4 years, in all weathers during term time. We were founded in 2013 and our popular Parent and Toddler Classes run Monday to Friday mornings from Ottershaw, Chertsey, and Sutton Green near Guildford, SURREY. Siblings rates apply for those baby siblings who can be carried in a sling or be in a pram for the duration of the 2 hour session. We also have a dedicated team who deliver weekly Forest School sessions to local school groups and children with additional needs.
Additionally we run educational, fun packed Holiday Camps during some of the holidays for children aged 4-11 years, come rain or shine. We are located at Ottershaw and Sutton Green near Guildford. We hope to be back in 2021.
There is something for every child to enjoy whether it be building dens, going on scavenger hunts, identifying bugs, making dream catchers, using hand tools, whittling sticks or singing and story reading whilst toasting marshmallows over a camp fire.
The children learn about nature by making bug hotels and habitats for our wildlife including our resident fox "Willow." Forest School is child led, however we do encourage the children to step outside their comfort zone and have a go at activities available to them. Our aim is for the children to learn through having fun, build their self esteem, learn some life long skills and have wonderful childhood memories.
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What is Forest School?
Forest School sessions provide a safe, natural and fun environment for children to develop strong social skills, physical ability, self esteem, independence and enhance their knowledge of nature and the changing seasons. Forest Schools fosters children's curiosity and motivation to learn and explore. It teaches children to respect each other, themselves, the natural world and their local community.
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It is a long term, repetitive learning process that uses a natural outdoor space. It is a specific ethos of learning that focuses on processes rather than products and allows learners time and space to develop at their own rate. Learners develop a strong sense of space through repeated contact with the natural world (ideally woodland but not always) throughout the year in all weathers.
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Empowers children and young people to take responsibility for their own learning and development. The ethos encourages child-led learning and learning through play. Choice increases enjoyment, participation and motivation. Children are set up to achieve and supported to take appropriate risks through developing trust in themselves and others
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Encourages emotional growth, self esteem, confidence and independence. It gives learners time and space to be by themselves, find peace and communicate with others in a safe caring environment. Emotional literacy is activity practised by adults and children within the Forest School.
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Instils a deep respect and awareness for the natural world and reconnects participants to the environment. Being in nature allows learners to observe real life, witness cause and effect and consider our roles and responsibilities towards it.
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Promotes learning and development for all ages and abilities and its ethos is fully inclusive. It is most effective in smaller than class sizes with high adult to child ratio. The natural environment provides stimulus for all senses, all areas of development and all learning styles.
