Some of you may already be aware, that the 14th of July will be my last day at Free Rangers! After starting at Free Rangers as a student back in February 2014 and working from when I qualified in July 2014, where Gemma asked if I would like to join the team as cover staff.
Read moreMay Update from the Hive
In the May update from the Hive Personal social and emotional development: self confidence and self awareness. During snack times we often show children photos of themselves and each other and encourage everyone to wave to each other and say each otherβs names.
Read moreMay update from the Burrow
We have been busy in the Burrow this month. The children have been enjoying the following:
Read moreThe May update from the Den
Find out what we have been up to in the Den during May
Read more30 hrs Funding Offer at Free Rangers
It has been no secret that here at Free Rangers we do not agree with the way in which the government has offered an extended early years entitlement that has been poorly funded and poorly thought through.
Read moreSleeping bunnies
In the Burrow, the sleep routine begins with the early morning conversations between parents and staff about any changes in home sleep patterns - has the child slept well or woken early or is the child may be growing out of an afternoon nap?
Read moreReady, Steady, MOVE!
Children like to move. If you've ever tried to keep a child sat still for any length of time you'll agree that it's nigh on impossible. So when we go on Forest School we make sure we keep any stillness to a minimum!
Read moreUnder the Arch!Β
As many of you know, there is an arch way at Free Rangers that is just through the main gates, before you get to the Burrow. Most parents would walk under the arch every day to get to the Burrow and Den rooms.
Read moreI love it as much as the children, maybe even more!!
So, anyone who knows me, knows that I am known as the βmessy oneβ in The Burrow. Often on show arounds I hear Jess tell the parents βThis is Nic, sheβs the messy one in the Burrow, the one who gets all the paint out, all the glitter out, all the shaving foam and so onβ.
Read moreStrawberries!
Since moving our strawberries to their new position in the βstrawberry bedβ in the Farmhouse Garden, we have been eagerly awaiting the appearance of the delicious, juicy fruits that we have come to expect from our crop.
Read moreGoing out in all weathers
Something I have recently over-heard or been asked is βare you staying in because itβs raining?β I thought I would write in a blog why we go outside in ALL weathers and the benefits we see in the children.
Read moreDate for the diary in the Den
Date for the diary... Friday 14th July 2017 2.00pm β 4.00pm Does your child attend in The DENβ¦ Is your child going to start school in September 2017... Do you want to celebrate their time at Free Rangers...
Read moreIntroducing Charlotte, Gemma's Maternity Cover
It's not long now until we wave goodbye to Gemma and wish her well on her maternity leave. We can't wait to meet her little girl and we certainly can't wait for her return.But until that time I wanted to properly introduce myself as Gemma's maternity cover.
Read moreMini Peaks & Pyjama week!
Weβd like to thank all our parents and children for kindly donating and sponsoring us whilst we took part in wearing our pyjamas and not only that, the children in the Hive have been taking part in βThe Mini Peaks Challenge."
Read moreDigging Deep for Free Rangers
You might be aware that we recently completed The Department of Health's "Healthy Outcomes Certificate in Early Years". As part of this, we organised a Big Dig day in a bid to add an extra dimension to our little patch of Somerset.
Read moreEarly Years Schemas
I recently went on an evening course called βAdvanced Schemasβ led by Sonia Mainstone-Cotton which aimed to help practitioners gain a more in-depth understanding about schemas and how they can help us to understand childrenβs behaviour and interests.
Read moreMessage from the office
Here is the latest update from the Office here at Free Rangers
Read moreApril in the Burrow...
I bought a new story - 'The Very busy Spider' by Eric Carle. We're reading this daily and looking at the different animals that visit the spider.
Read moreUpdate from the Den
The monthly update from Tam in the Den. Indoor role play saw the home corner changed into a campsite where children recreated the forest school rules and holiday experiences.
Read moreThe Assault Course is Dead. Viva la Timber Trail!
In the first year of Free Rangers opening, we did some serious development of our blank canvas. From the outset, we knew our outdoor space was special and we didn't take it for granted when planning its conception (nor do we now!) Our brief: to make it as appealing, varied and challenging a space for our little adventurers as possible, turning bare grass into the tangible, climbable, and jumpable. We built it, and they came. But that was a long, long time ago...
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