Some of you may recall a few months ago when we asked families to get involved in our ‘Greenway Challenge’. Back then we were working towards achieving our Department of Public Health: Healthy Outcomes Certificate, which we received in March.
Read moreFood For Thought
There's something wonderful about allowing children to make a legitimate mess. It can provide such fantastic learning opportunities. It's when we apply a certain level of meaning to the mess created that we can see the magic happening...
Read moreNew Beginnings
It’s that time of the year again where we see another group of babies who have grown and developed into young toddlers move on into the Burrow but we also welcome a new set of babies as they embark upon their new adventures here at Free Rangers.
Read moreLanguage and Imagination
Last week’s Forest School activity was focused around language and imagination. Our setting for this activity was the inside of the willow dome, a natural ‘room’ or enclosure, a cosy space perfect for storytelling
Read moreIntroducing: Ellie!
Tea from the Hedgerow
What do you do when the hedgerows are burgeoning with ripening blackberries, and the early apples are starting to drop? You make sure you use them in as many ways as possible! Blackberries have been a focus across the Nursery and in the Den we opted to make some hedgerow tea!
Read moreTeeth are Not For Biting!
Over the past few weeks in the Hive, the children have enjoyed reading stories with their carers - looking at the pictures and talking about what they can see! So recently over circle time we decided this would be a nice time to introduce a "book of the week".
Read moreGross and fine motor skills in the Burrow
Over the past two weeks in the Burrow, the children have been using their gross and fine motor skills within their play. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the term gross and fine motor skills, here’s what it means:
Read moreI come to nursery to see my friends
The Burrow is such a lovely room in the way of relationships as the children are at the right age to start building friendships and understanding those around them.
Read moreFrom The Hive to The Burrow and from the Burrow to the Den
It’s that time of year again when we say hello to our new children and goodbye to our older children as we move into new rooms. Don’t panic yet, the official moving date won’t be until September
Read moreWhat we've been up to in The Den in June.
During June in the Den we have been making dens – using material to create enclosed spaces. Talking about sun safety – understanding the effects of sun on our bodies. And learning all about Cray fish!
Read moreWhat we've been up to in The Burrow in June
June was all about Messy play – foam, paint, glitter, Play dough – different colours and smells – using role play kitchen, pans & paper cases, Painting – on fabric, corrugated card sheets, bubble wrap, large egg trays, paper plates, and Printing with paint and sink plungers.
Read moreWhat we've been up to in The Hive in June
We have been using the bouncy castle, some of the babies were a little unsure to begin with due to the noise but with lots of encouragement and role modelling from the adults and other babies they soon began to enjoy it.
Read moreWhy We Love REAL Tools
We love working with tools at Free Rangers and they have become a key component of Forest School, providing another avenue of access to the natural world. Tools help create and inspire, they help us understand the world, as well as ourselves and help promote confidence.
Read moreSunflowers
Back at the beginning of April a group of Den children planted some sunflower seeds. Over the last few months we have been watering them and observing their progress.
Read more30hrs How does it work at Free Rangers?
30hrs How does it work at Free Rangers. Do you think you're eligible for the 30 hours subsidised childcare offer at Free Rangers?
Read moreOUR NEW CLIMBING FRAME - NOURISHING THAT SENSE OF ADVENTURE!
In the words of Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield, authors of Nature’s Playground: Life is full of risk, so the best way to prepare children for life is to ensure they know how to judge risk for themselves. The children in the Den became curious looking at the box which had been delivered to their room.
Read moreThe Free Rangers Mini 3 Peaks Challenge
You may have noticed recently some of your Free Rangers staff tackled the 3 Peaks Challenge, attempting to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in under 24hrs. Whilst this challenge fell at the feet of an intrepid few nursery staff, we wanted to extend the challenge to our Free Range kids as well, and set about challenging them to their own sponsored mini 3 Peaks.
Read moreTime to say goodbye!
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 other’s names.
Read more