Forest School Fun

News release

4th July 2013

The great outdoors will become a new classroom for youngsters at The Old Station Nursery in Henley which is to launch a Forest School.

The nursery is training to provide for a fully operational Forest School – which works by allowing children to play and learn outside using the natural environment – in a bid to give children a more complete learning experience.

The Old Station Nursery has been chosen for the project, which will officially be up and running by the autumn, because of its rural location, where rolling fields and woodland are just a stone’s throw from the building.

Training is now under way, meaning youngsters who attend the setting are already getting the chance to play with creepy crawlies, splash around in puddles and examine leaves and plants in the nursery grounds.

Once fully operational, the Forest School will be opened up to primary school children in the area for after school clubs and during the school holidays. It will be also be available to those attending the nursery as an added extra with no charge.

Nicole Symes Frazer from The Old Station Nursery is undergoing her Forest School training. She said: “A Forest School adds a little something extra to the child's day at nursery, giving them the chance to explore the outdoors alongside traditional play and learning.

“The sessions will be designed to encourage and inspire the children to explore their surroundings, and will include a lot of play as well an opportunity to learn about flora and fauna and the natural world.

“This kind of activity also helps to encourage spatial awareness and motor development, as well as offering the chance to get some fresh air – something we all benefit from.”

Places are expected to fill up fast, and parents can make reservations now by contacting Henley@theoldstationnursery.co.uk or by calling 01491 577716.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• The Henley-on-Thames setting opening in January this year to add to the group’s portfolio
• Sarah Steel set up The Old Station Nursery in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, in 2002 when she left the army and was unable to find suitable childcare for her two children
• The Old Station Nursery group has 10 settings in total in Lincolnshire Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire and Buckinghamshire
• You can find out more about Forest Schools here http://www.forestschools.com/

Cerri Delaney
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
07985 143990
cerri@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @CerriDelaney

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