Family day - outdoor parent & child

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 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.

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!

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