Children First Forest School Holiday Club
The best learning environment isn’t always in the classroom
Children First Forest School Holiday Club The Forest School Holiday Club at Worthing College has been running since February 2014, for school children aged 4 to 12 years old. The Forest School philosophy is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through outdoor experiences by participating in engaging, motivating and achievable tasks and activities which develop physical, social and motivational skills. The Forest School offers children and young people a great opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to take and handle risks, to test out their own ideas, use
The holiday club runs in school holidays apart from Christmas and is open from 8.15am – 5.30pm with full and half days available. We have 2 secure onsite forest school areas each with a designated fire circle, trees, climbing ropes, water areas and a tyre swing. One of the areas has a shelter in the trees that we use in wet weather. We also have 2 classrooms in the college where children are dropped off in the morning. These rooms can be used during the day and in wet weather if necessary. This is also where we eat lunch and keep children’s belongings.
initiative, communicate with others and solve problems.
A typical day at the Forest School Holiday Club
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8.15 - 9.00am
Drop off into college. Children will begin to get to know each other and access various resources including board games, art and craft materials, books and toys.
9.00am
Go out to forest school, talk about the day, go over boundaries and introduce everyone to each other. Followed by time to go off and explore the area and a ‘getting to know each other’ game.
10.00am
Healthy snack time (children to bring their own snacks) and hot chocolate made in the Kelly kettle.
10.30am - 12.00pm
Morning activity in the Forest School.
12.00 - 12.30pm
Reflection and discussion of what we have been doing that morning.
12.30 - 1.15pm
Lunch time (children to bring their own lunch). This will be eaten in the college.
1.30 - 2.15pm
Go back out to forest school followed by games, exploring and welcoming afternoon children.
2.15 - 3.45pm
Lighting the fire, children help to cook tea and explore the forest school area and nature trail.
3.45pm
Hot meal from the fire.
5.10pm
Return to the college ready for home time.
Opportunity Achievement Success Progression
Our Forest School has several trained Forest School Leaders who are led by a qualified Forest School Manager. We also have a team of regular support staff. All Forest School Leaders are trained in paediatric first aid and food hygiene. The children will be required to bring a packed lunch, a refillable drinks bottle and a healthy snack for break time. We will provide a hot drink during the morning and afternoon tea will be cooked on the fire by the staff and children.
The day will include various outdoor activities, all of which have a wet weather alternative that can be carried out in a classroom if necessary. As well as the planned activities children will help to build the fire, cook tea and play different games throughout the day. We also have access to a nature trail and large playing field. Sessions We offer full day sessions from 8.15am – 5.30pm and have a limited number of half day sessions either from 8-15am - 1.15pm or 1.15pm - 5.30pm.
Sample Menu
Main
Puddings
Monday
Baked omelette with vegetables and toast
Dampers: Long thin dough wrapped around a stick and roasted over a fire
Tuesday
Moroccan flatbread with homemade tzatziki and spicy vegetable rice
Chocolate oranges
Wednesday
Camp Pizzas: Home-made pizza dough with a variety of healthy toppings
Fruit kebabs
Thursday
Roasted paprika potato wedges, corn on the cob and home-made garlic bread
Smores
Friday
Homemade bread with baked beans
Toffee apples
Sample week at Forest School Holiday Club Day
am
pm
Monday
Woodland walk and animal tracking
Making clay bugs and minibeasts and tracking games
Tuesday
Building forts and making flags
Fire lighting skills and picture frame game
Wednesday
Wooden boats, will your boat float?!
Den building, learning different knots and ashings and tug of war
Thursday
Making wooden figures using wood, wool and clay and dividing into groups to do a role play presentation
Large scale environmental art and 5 trees game
Friday
Dream Catchers
Making Suet bird feeders
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Children First Forest School Holiday Club What do children and parents say about the Forest School holiday club?
“It was very wet, very muddy and lots of fun!” – Freya, age 7
“Emma loved it! The activities are really good and I was happy knowing she was outside being active rather than sat indoors all day” – Claire
“Both Annu and Olanna had a brilliant time. They said it was the best thing that they had ever done as a holiday childcare thing; really loved the staff and enjoyed meeting new children. Thank you!” – Tanya
“I loved it. Now I realise that being outdoors is better than tv” – Fyn, age 7 “I could tell from speaking to Joseph and how he was when I picked him up that he thoroughly enjoyed his days at Forest School. He loved being outside and now whenever we drop off his younger brother at Nursery he points out where the forest school is. After asking him if he would like to go again at Easter he was very keen!” – Stacy
“Forest school is so much fun, I’m really good at climbing tree’s now” – Austin, age 6 Fees Full day
£27
Half day
£16
A discount of £15 is given when booking a full week
01903 275750 Email: forestschool@worthing.ac.uk 1 Sanditon Way, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 9FD www.worthing.ac.uk
Children First Nursery
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Designed and produced by the Worthing College Marketing Team. Correct at time of printing. October 2014.
Forest School