We are the Foresteers!
FOREST SCHOOL EXPERIENCES
“Nature is one of our greatest teachers”
All enquires to foresteers@gmail.com
What is Forest School?
Forest School is all about giving children and young people of all ages the opportunity to learn through positive experiences in exciting, outdoor, woodland settings. Research has demonstrated that these repeated visits to the same woodland site support the development of self-confidence, motivation, concentration and sound social and emotional skills.
Joining the Foresteers allows children to take part in experiences that encourage creativity and exploration. All of our experiences are designed to be fun and interesting, and importantly something they would probably never otherwise experience.
The concept originates from Scandinavia where the young children are taken on walks through the forest following an imaginary character. Along the way they explore and investigate, take risks and learn together in the great outdoors. The ethos has now been introduced to the UK under the name ‘Forest School’.
Experiences are varied and linked both to the curriculum and the season in which they take place. Nature is at the heart of all of that we do and children will, over time, learn about the world around them. Sessions focus on aspects of holistic development. The teacher is less a person of authority and more a facilitator, mentor and experienced companion. Children are allowed to choose the direction they take, discover, discuss and develop without the constraints of a table and chair. As they learn to respect this freedom they will learn about themselves, learn about others, and learn to be resilient.
Outdoor Preschool
At Foresteers Outdoor Preschool for children 2-4 years, your child will be immersed in the Forest School ethos and will have the space, time and opportunity to play and ignite their desire to learn in a unique and holistic way.
We are open 50 weeks a year, 7.30am-5.30pm and offer full time and term time contracts. We take children from their 2nd birthday.
Fee Structure:
Foresteers’ Outdoor Pre School pricing from September 2024
Session Time Hours – Costs
2/3/4yrs day rate (no funding) – 7.30am-5.30pm – £64.40
2 year old working parents entitlement – 9.00am-4.00pm. – £15 sustainability fee**
2 year old funding (eligible if you are entitled to certain benefits) – 9.00am-4.00pm – £9.10 sustainability fee*
3/4 year old FEL/WPE funding 15/30hrs – 9.00am-4.00pm – £9.10 sustainability fee*
Breakfast Club – Breakfast included (can be added to funded day)
7.30am-9.00am 1.5 £9.35
Tea Club – tea time snacks included (can be added to funded day)
4.00pm-5.30pm 1.5 £9.35
Additional days booked in addition to your plan – 7.30-5.30pm – £74.40
Additional hours – If we have availability we can sometimes provide ad hoc
hours to support parents with appointments etc. £8.50 per hour
Late Fees £10 per 15 mins
Contracts available –
Full Time* (50 weeks)
Term Time – follows Sheffield school holidays + 1 additional unfunded week in Autumn term. Closed for 2 weeks at Christmas
*If you choose a full time contract and use funding you will pay the day rate through the holidays
**Our sustainability fee is used towards things not covered by the funding paid to us. E.g. Additional staffing as we work to higher ratios than the government guidance, paying staff above the minimum wage, Forest School experiences.
Additional Fees paid Costs
Admin Fee (includes outdoor suit and login to online tapestry journal) – One off £65
Foresteers Lunch (optional) Monthly – £.3.50 per day
Payment scheme admin fee (if paying through a childcare scheme or government scheme) – Monthly £2.50
Holiday Sessions
Foresteers School Holiday sessions are a great way to explore the woodland and to make friends.
Children have the opportunity to take part in a craft experience, get muddy in the mud kitchen, use tools, den build and cook on an open fire.
Our Holiday club sessions run during the Sheffield school holidays for children aged 3-11 years.
Birthday Parties
Contact us so we can plan your child’s party today!
Rates start from £14 per child with a minimum of 10 children and a maximum of 20 children. At least 2 adults per six children should accompany the party. Parties will take place in a suitable local area where you can bring you own packed lunch or add on the educational experience of campfire cooking.
Birthday parties can be arranged on weekdays during school holidays, and Saturday and Sundays throughout the year (due to availability). All children and adults attending the party will need to complete a consent form and have read the information sheet on what to wear.
All sessions are risked assessed and all staff holds a current enhanced DBS. Parents can arrange a site visit if they are unsure of what a Forest School party entails or to discuss the content of their child’s party. Check out our previous Birthdays on our Facebook page.
Site Development
Do you have an outdoor space that needs developing with ideas around Forest School?
If so we can come and design one for you. We ask that children, parents and teachers give ideas so we can plan your space.
We also work alongside some fantastic joiners so if you need a large site development to include an outdoor classroom and landscaping we can also provide quotes for this.
At Athelstan Primary School we worked alongside Precision Timber and delivered an amazing outdoor learning area where children can become one with nature and immerse themselves in a range of open-ended learning opportunities.
We have worked with Fir Vale Community Preschool to provide engagement and excitement in their outdoor environment by supplying open-ended resources that enhance their natural environment.
Please get in touch to arrange a site visit and consultation.
Testimonials
Latest News
St.Mary’s Birth to 4 Adult and Child Stay and Play Session
Come and join us at St.Marys Catholic Primary School in High Green, Wednesday mornings at 9.45am Get messy in the mud kitchen, get creative with a nature craft activity and join in with a campfire cooking experience. Sessions cater for all ages and will be ran by...
Registered Numbers:
Foresteers: 558984
Foresteers Outdoor Preschool: 2507786