Mini-Forestlings

Child-led Forest School for pre-school children and their grown-ups

What is Mini-Forestlings?

Mini-Forestlings is our weekly Forest School programme for pre-school children, offering time and space to play, explore and discover the woodland at their own pace.

Rooted in the Forest School ethos, our sessions are child-led. Rather than arriving with a set list of activities or predetermined outcomes, our Forest School Leader creates a safe and supportive environment filled with opportunities for children to follow their own interests, develop confidence and independence, and begin to understand and manage appropriate risks.

Parents and carers remain with their child throughout the session. We encourage grown-ups to give children the space to lead their own play and exploration, while being nearby when reassurance, encouragement or a helping hand is needed.

What happens at Mini-Forestlings?

No two sessions are quite the same. Children might choose to climb trees, build dens, explore the stream, create in the mud kitchen, hunt for minibeasts, make natural art, play games, investigate the woodland or simply become completely absorbed in an idea of their own.

Freedom to choose where and how they play is an important part of children’s development. When children become deeply absorbed in what they are doing – sometimes described as being “in flow” – we give them the time and space to continue without unnecessary adult interruption.

Our Forest School Leader remains close by to keep children safe, introduce opportunities and resources, and gently support or scaffold learning when appropriate.

What might children gain from Mini-Forestlings?

Every child’s Forest School experience is different.

Over time, children have opportunities to develop confidence, independence and an understanding of their own abilities. Playing alongside others naturally creates opportunities to make friendships, communicate, negotiate, collaborate and navigate the challenges that arise through shared play.

When children decide to make, build, investigate or create something, our focus is on the experience rather than producing a particular end result. Trying an idea, changing it, encountering difficulties and deciding what to do next are all valuable parts of the process.

Through their time in the woods, children may develop curiosity, creativity, resilience, empathy, persistence and problem-solving skills, while building their own relationship with the natural world.

Session information

• For: Pre-school children and their parent/carer
• Session length: 1½ hours
• Wednesday: 10:30–12:00
• Booking: Six-week term
• Cost: £54 per child (£9 per session)

Parents and carers remain on site throughout the session and retain overall responsibility for their child. We encourage grown-ups to give children the space to lead their own play and exploration, while being nearby when reassurance, encouragement or a helping hand is needed.