At My First Friends Nursery, your child will take part in weekly sessions, (during school holidays ) a Forest School run by the Sussex Wildlife Trust in Westdene Nature Reserve. The teacher is called Bruno who is a Forest School Teacher trained and also trained in First Aid. When at the nature reserve there will be the correct ratio and all the staff at My First Friends Nursery is trained in First Aid. |
During your child's weekly session at the Forest School your child will take part in learning the importance of staying safe around the fire, how to handle the fire in the correct way but also the tools needed to make a fire. The children will practice their dragon sneezes where they use to pieces of metal , scrape together to make a spark which then goes on a small piece of fabric which is in a shell with a stick. Prior to the weekly visits children will listen to Francis Firefly story that the children got from East Sussex Fire and Rescue. When making the dragon sneezes the children will be with an adult 1:1 to make sure they are doing it correctly but safely. Once the children build up confidence then it will be child led with an adult beside them.
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Your child will also learn how to use tools safely when making artifacts to take home to show you what they have learnt at Forest School. They will also be making dens round trees by finding big branches and sawing them down to size. They will work as a team to make the den but again will have 1:1 support when using sharp tools. When using the sharp tools they will be working on their hand to eye co-ordination when cutting. They will wear protective gloves so they wont cut their hands.
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Your child will also get the chance to explore the area , by looking at all the vegetation that is growing in the nature reserve. They will get the chance to tree climb. Listen to and identify all the wildlife that visits the nature reserve. and spot passing trains that is by the nature reserve.
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Once your child has finished taking part in the Forest School for that day, your child and their friends will sit round the camp fire having hot chocolate and biscuits. Your child will help to make the hot chocolate by taking it in turns to stir the milk with the chocolate but also collecting the water to put in the kettle. Your child will either sit and wait or go off and explore in the nature reserve.
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A forest school is an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults regular opportunities to appreciate and enjoy their local woodlands. A forest school nurtures an understanding and respect for natural places. - Sussex Wildlife Trust