For a couple of weeks now I have been wanting to make some sort of bird feeder, to promote the discussion amongst us all about how we can encourage wildlife in our gardens. I then came across this very toddler friendly idea!
Read moreWe're Going On A Blackberry Hunt!
Today the Den children were lucky enough to venture out of the nursery grounds to search far and wide for blackberries!
Read moreBeauty salon spa or muddy puddle?
Where is the “Muddy” puddle when there is no rain on a fine hot day? The ground is dry so that there is nothing to splash and splosh. On hotter days it does not snow and all of us are thirsty as the temperature is 30 degrees.
Read moreWhat would you do with a ball of clay?
Last week in the Burrow the children were introduced to clay. We explored what it felt like, smelt like and more importantly how we could make role play marshmallows with it! After seeing the children so engaged and intrigued by the clay I made this week all about the grey sticky and malleable material.
Read moreMadi and Jade go to the Big City to learn about little people!
As you may be aware Jade and I have recently been away for 10 days in London. Soraya continued to manage The Nest and met all of the wonderful mummies, daddies and carers across The Hive and introduce herself.
Read morePond Dipping
Pond dipping is easily my favourite Forest School activity, so I was very excited to be part of a few sessions last week. It is truly lovely to be sat by the water’s edge on a warm sunny day and admire the surroundings that our pond has to offer.
Read moreKeeping the spark alight/alive
This week the Burrow children have been focusing on the timber trail. We have been testing our balancing, climbing and confident skills as we took on the challenges that the trail can give us.
Read moreCollecting sticks for our fire
Over the past couple of weeks we have been focusing on fire and what elements come with this. Whether we’ve been looking at cotton wool or our fire steel the children have shown great interest in this activity!
Read moreDo You Need a Hand?
Forest School offers a lot of freedom. Freedom to explore. Freedom to imagine and create. Freedom to move. Sure, they get these element elsewhere too, but being able to do this throughout the outdoors, largely unfettered by the nuisance grownups sticking their oars in, makes their learning and development meaningful and memorable.
Read moreI Swam 6K in a cold river and it made me think of Free Rangers.
As we grouped for the safety briefing I began to feel fluttering nerves. It was at this precise point that I wondered if I could actually manage to swim 6K.
Read moreCRASH MAT FUN
Is it a bridge? Is it a trampoline? No - it’s a giant crash mat! This week in the Burrow the children have been using their imaginations and using the crash mat for many different things.
Read moreWelcome to the Burrow Ezme!
Hi, I'm Ezme and I have just started working at Freerangers in the Burrow. I am level 2 qualified and am currently studying for my level 3 qualification in Early Years. I have almost 2 years experience working with children in another nursery, however I have never experienced a forest school and even after just 6 weeks I am loving it.
Read moreMacho Macho Kids
Forest School this week has looked at what it means to be STRONG! Against popular belief, I haven't been secretly training my own little army of Forest School minions ready to over-through Midsomer Norton at a moments notice, so I can final establish my Red Fox kingdom! (although that does sound like fun).
Read moreBuilding Blocks To Mark Making
At Free Rangers we value and celebrate mark making which is explored in all areas of play. Children often notice and marvel at the marks they make, looking at their footprints, using rakes and impliments to make marks in the sand, dragging them to make lines and curves.
Read moreWho’s that trip trapping over my bridge?
As you know the children have been learning our version of the traditional story of ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’. Each day they have listened to members of the Burrow staff reciting the story. The words have been embellished with some of our story making actions.
Read moreFun in the Sun!
Myself, Madi, Lou, Cat, Tiff, Abbie and the rest of Free Rangers would like to welcome all the new babies into the baby unit! Which after a few weeks and lots of votes from all you lovely people has been renamed as... THE HIVE!
Read moreMy New adventure in the Baby Unit
My New adventure in the Baby Unit. The past few weeks in the baby unit have been very busy both for the staff and the children, so unfortunately I haven't had chance to meet and introduce myself to all of the parents personally as I hoped.
Read moreAny sessions please?
When I Joined Free Rangers in August 2011 we had just 12 children on role and from that point our numbers have grown with children registered to join us for sometimes a year, or more, in advance. One of my roles at Free Rangers is managing the room and waiting lists term to term and as most of you are aware we do our lists termly,
Read moreWe Have Been Experimenting
In the Burrow this week, we have been experimenting. Would you ever have thought of putting ice cubes on a tray or table and letting the children paint them? This simple activity is a great activity for all ages of children, it can develop children’s gross motor skills whilst learning about the science behind colour mixing.
Read moreA Healthy Dollop Of Risk and Challenge
When observing play/learning situations on Forest School, I have to weigh up a lot of decisions in my head. Is their play safe? Should I step in here? How could I extend their learning? Which direction is that child taking their play?
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