Woodland Magic at Chelwood Gate

An outdoor parent and child group

Mentored by

Lorna Hendley

A teacher & mum who knows how to have fun!

Organisation links
Location address: Chelwood Gate, RH17 7LF
Chosen age group:

For ages: 0 - 7 years years

Available tickets:
Drop in £12 per sessionSibling discount £6 per sessionAdult Free
Next date: None - message Mentor to express interest
What we'll do
A Waldorf/Steiner inspired outdoor parent and child group 0-7 years. Please join me for a morning out in nature in the enchanting woods at Chelwood Gate. We enter into the woods and find our sit spot. This is a well-being practice and time for reflection; listening, feeling, and observing the beauty of nature and the seasonal changes on a weekly basis. We then welcome the day and each other with a morning verse and take an adventure through the woods stopping to explore, investigate and balance or climb on the various structures. There is time to play and sing on the wobbly bridge, the ‘train’, the tower, the rope bridge, the seesaw, we sing to Incy Wincy up the Pine Tree or pretend we are woodsmen. We enjoy a seasonal circle time together, rejoicing nature through singing, movement, verse and hand gestures or games. We include some of the children’s much loved nursery rhymes. We stop at the Pixie Ring for a rest and after saying a blessing we have our snack. I provide a warm herbal or fruit tea. In the winter months, we light a fire using a flint and steel. While the children are having their snack, they get to see who are in the pockets of my cherished puppet apron and participate in little well-known verses or games. The children have the opportunity to play or we may embark on a little nature activity or craft. We end with a puppet play in the woods or a seasonal story at The Giants Chair. We will finish with our goodbye song. NB: * Please dress warmly and in complete waterproofs if wet. * Please bring snacks and water you and your child. * All siblings are welcome - free under 2. * Extra siblings are discounted, please select concession for your second child. * Please read my Covid health and safety policy.
About your mentor
Lorna Hendley
A teacher & mum who knows how to have fun!
I originally worked as a learning support assistant in mainstream school and found myself drawn to younger children. I fell in love with the Waldorf kindergarten from the moment I walked through the Steiner Kindergarten door. I completed my Waldorf early years teacher training alongside working as an assistant at Michael Hall Steiner school. I became a teacher and started a kindergarten with a new group of children and families. I was fortunate to have several happy years there before starting my own family. I am now a busy home maker and mother to three young children. However 2.5 years ago I started Kindergarten Magic, my indoor Steiner inspired parent and child and kindergarten for home educated families and children of pre school age. Alongside this, I started up a Steiner inspired outdoor parent and child group to embrace my Forest school leader qualification. Waldorf/Steiner education ties in beautifully with our natural environment. It is my aim to reconnect families with nature, to help foster a nature connection whilst having fun and creating magic and wonder for both the child and the parent.
Important information for parents
Before attending, please read information about parking and the Covid risk assessment. * Flexible arrival time between 9:30 and 10:00am. Please arrive by 10am. * We enter into the woods on the path next to the church going through the wooden gate and by the wooden welcome sign and find a sit spot; a reflective nature practice. * On the day, please dress you and your child warmly and have good footwear. * It would be helpful to have a change of clothes in the car just in case your child gets wet or muddy. * Please bring a drink and snacks for you and your child. I provide a herbal and fruit tea. * There are no toilets in the woods. * You are welcome to take photographs of your own children. Please try not to get photos of other children without asking the parents permission. * On arrival please can you complete a photo consent form if you do not mind me or my designated person to take photos of the day. They will only be displayed on my Eequ listing. If you would rather not have photos taken of you or your child please indicate this to me on the day. I will look forward to meeting you in the woods!
Learning aims
Aim 1
The focus is child-led learning, developing all the senses.
Aim 3
To promote healthy living by connecting children to nature.
Aim 5
To engage in creative play and make friends.
Aim 7
To participate in group activities and seasonal craft.
Aim 9
To reconnect families with nature.
Aim 11
To help foster a nature connection for all.
Aim 2
To foster rich learning experiences.
Aim 4
To develop appreciation of the seasons.
Aim 6
To foster imagination and creativity.
Aim 8
To learn new seasonal songs and rhymes.
Aim 10
To have fun and create moments of magic and wonder!
DIRECTIONS, PARKING AND COVID RISK ASSESSMENT
DIRECTIONS The woods are accessed on a little lane next to the church by the village hall. We walk through the field from the gate on Beconsfield road to the sign that says Jubilee Green. PARKING You can park in the village hall car park, on the lane next to the Church or along Beaconsfield road. COVID 19 Risk Assessment for Woodland Magic Benefits of being outside in the woods • Connecting with nature is paramount for any human; especially beneficial for a child’s cognitive, emotional and physical well-being. • There is endless magic, wonder and reverence that is created from being outside in nature. • Social wellbeing and creativity from playing with other children. Potential risk: • Contracting the virus from attending the group. • Passing the virus onto other members in the group. Measures in place by the Forest School Practitioner (FSP): • Parents will be asked to read this risk assessment before attending the session. • The parents are informed not to attend the group session if they or their child are displaying any symptoms of Covid. • Parents are told not to attend the group if they have been into contact with anyone with the virus and must notify the FSP. • Parents will bring their own snacks and water bottles for themselves and their children. • The FSP will carry water wipes and antibacterial hand gel, parents will take responsibility to clean their child’s hands before snack. • During ring time, parents hold their own child’s hands or if more comfortable an ‘invisible’ hand if standing next to another member of a different household. • Craft items made will be taken home. • Parents are asked to respect social distancing with other households. Response to any infection 1. To engage with the NHS Test and Trace process. 2. To manage confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) amongst the out-of-school settings community. 3. To contain any outbreak by following local health protection team advice. Date reviewed 28/02/23
Pricing information
Ticket nameDrop in
Price£12
Ticket nameSibling discount
Price£6
InformationI offer 50% discount for siblings over 18 months. Under 18mts are free.
Ticket nameAdult
Price£0
PHOTO GALLERY
Where we'll be
Chelwood Gate Woods, Stoneydown, Beaconsfield Road , Chelwood Gate, East Sussex, RH17 7LF
WHAT’S PROVIDED
Drinks
Equipment
Safety
Enhanced DBS
Risk Assessment
Public Liability Insurance
Safeguarding Training
First Aid Training
First Aid Kit

Please note

Please note, it is the responsibility of the booker to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the safety measures. This platform is merely an introducer and does not verify the items listed here.

Cancellation Policy
Cancel more than one week before the start to receive a full refund.Please do not attend if you have COVID symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID. If there is an extended absence from COVID I will arrange for you to transfer your booking to a future date. If you cannot attend please cancel your booking via your Eequ dashboard.

My experience consists of a leisure activity, on a specific date(s), and therefore the 14-day ‘cooling off period’ under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 does not apply.