As the trees began to leave a beautiful golden carpet of leaves on site, it heralded the time to tend to the site for Winter. Brambles, raspberries, and trees are all for the chop to promote more manageable and stronger growth for the oncoming seasons.
Read morePond Dipping
Over the past weeks the Burrow children have spent lots of time at the pond with their nets. It’s been great to see what is in the pond this time of year as most pond life have left the pond for the winter. It also acts as a great comparison to introduce the concept of seasons and change.
Read moreA Little Step Back to Reflect
We opened Free Rangers Forest School Nursery five years ago. It was time we took a little step back to reflect. We needed to ask a few questions of ourselves; were we remaining true to our initial hopes and aspirations? Is our message still strong and relevant? Are we striving to be the best we can be? Are we making a difference?
Read moreHappy Halloween – Part 2!
his week in the Burrow we have continued to get into the Halloween spirit and here’s a couple of things we have been up to. On Monday morning Soraya brought us in a pumpkin which we held, smelt and explored. We cut out a lid and had a look inside. Along with some spoons the Burrow children scooped out the pumpkin seeds and soft inside.
Read moreMaking Natural Pictures
This week in the Burrow we have carried on our natural materials hunt but have decided to use them in a different way instead of making stories. We revisited last week and questioned children to understand how well they could recall information.
Read moreOur Wonderful Garden
Here in the Hive over the past two weeks we have been spending lots of time out in the garden accessing a range of activities. We have been providing the children with a range of stimulating activities outdoors. We have been getting creative in the sand pit using both our hands and natural objects to mark make.
Read moreJoin our 'Greenway Challenge'!!
At Free Rangers we like to go out and explore the local environment. Each of the rooms here enjoy walks along the Welton to Radstock Greenway when possible, as it is easily accessed by the footpath next to Free Rangers.
Read moreMy Time to Fly the Nest
Just a little post to say goodbye...
As some of you may already know that my time as a Free Ranger has come to an end, and it is now time for me to fly the nest.
Read moreFull Time Post working with Children with SEND
We have a Full Time Post working with Children with SEND
Read moreA day in the life of a little Burrower
Arriving at the start of a session can unleash a whole host of emotions…happy, excited, worried, shy, sad, tired, and anxious. The main challenge is crossing the cloakroom threshold into the exciting and inviting Burrow. This takes place with the help of one of the lovely Burrow staff…
Read moreShaving foam is not just for beards!
Shaving foam; an innocuous member of most household bathroom cabinets. But it’s well known in Early Years that shaving foam provides hours of learning opportunities if given with the right prompts and modelled by a seasoned practitioner.
Read moreClimbing and Conkers
The other week I was walking my dog around the village and noticed that the conkers had started falling from the Horse Chestnut trees. As a Forest School leader my instinct kicked in and I thought I must plan something that involves conkers and collect as many as possible for my Forest School natural treasure hoard!
Read moreTea from Harvested Hedgerows
We have been getting the Den children used to rhythms and routines in our busy room, as well as to the wonderful outdoor space in the Paddock we share on Forest School.
Read moreHello my name is Francesca
Hello my name is Francesca and I am based In the Burrow. I have been here a month so far and I am finding everyday a new exciting challenge. I am getting to know all the staff, children and parents. It has been a pleasure to meet you all.
Read moreObstacle Climbing
This week has seen the Burrow children putting their gross motor skills to the test by climbing. It was a great activity that allowed us to observe how confident the children are when climbing, balancing and jumping.
Read morePhysical Activity in under 5's
At Free Rangers our children are always highly active, inside and especially outside. Being active is high on our agenda and it is one of the characteristics of effective learning.
Read moreOur routines of Forest School
After a lovely week off I was raring to go on Monday morning when I got in and wow what a difference a week makes. It was great to see how well the new children have settled into the routines of Forest School and would personally like to thank all the girls in the Burrow for holding it together whilst I was away!
Read moreSing a song of six pence, a pocket full of RIE.
As from September I will be over in the Warren implementing the RIE approach (Resources for Infant Educarers) from the course Madi and I attended back in July. If you haven’t seen me around in the Nest this week, I've been busy next door with all the older children.
Read moreBugs Galore
This week we have enjoyed welcoming new children, both from the Warren or those joining us from another settings. It has been lovely to get to know all these children whilst at forest school and to help grow their understanding of the great outdoors.
Read moreThe Farm’s Life
Recently we’ve had some new farm friends join us at Free Rangers. They are noisy, they are big and sometimes they even manage to escape their house! Can you guess what they are? Geese! Our lovely new girls are called Samantha and Delilah.
Read more