Earth Babies

Join us for weekly forest school sessions for non-walkers. Expect sensory activities and time to connect with others and the natural world. Our outdoor Earth Babies forest school sessions are for babies from birth to around 18 months who aren’t yet walking, together with an accompanying parent or guardian. Sessions take place in Gillies Hill Woodland on Wednesday mornings from 10:30am to 12:00pm. What to expect Our session themes and activities follow the seasons, inspired by the natural resources available in the woodlands. Each session will offer different activities designed to support the interests of the children in the group. Our approach is to support and encourage children to explore and play as they choose. Following the Reggio Emilia approach, where children are seen to be capable of learning through their own interests, our sessions do not have an expectation to be followed. Children have natural curiosities, and by supporting and encouraging individual interests, they are able to learn and develop in ways that suit them. Our activities are designed to be a potential starting point for children. Some may choose to join in one week and not the next, while others may enjoy using the activities to inspire their own play or do something else entirely. By observing the direction your child is going in, our sessions are there to provide support and encouragement to aid their curiosity. What will my child get out of forest school? Our sessions give children the chance to make their own choices and solve problems, building confidence and positive self-esteem. The woodland setting provides opportunities to run, climb and balance, supporting coordination and physical ability. In addition, the rich sensory setting supports everyone’s wellbeing. Over time, we hope connections and friendships build, and a connection to the woods brings a lasting interest in protecting the natural world. For you too The sessions are also intended to instil confidence and positive wellbeing in the accompanying adult. Whether that’s confidence in taking your children to the woods with ideas and tools to support play and exploration, creating memories, or taking time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to be present. There are as many benefits for adults as there are for children. The details • Time: 10:30am to 12:00pm, Wednesdays • What to wear and bring: Waterproofs, boots, and warm layers for you and your baby. Activities will be on a waterproof mat and blanket, but you may also bring your own blanket. • Weather: Sessions run in all but extreme weather. We will be in touch if a session cannot run as planned. • Babies: Must stay with their accompanying adult throughout and are your responsibility. You are more than welcome to feed and change your baby as required. • Dogs: Dogs are not permitted • Accessibility: Access to the camp is about 150m into the woodland on trails and is therefore not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Finding us Each week we will base our camp at the same spot in the woods, where familiarity will promote confidence and connection to nature. We will meet at 10:30am at the Gillies Hill entrance and walk together to our camp spot, about 150m into the woods. If you arrive late, please make your own way to the camp spot using the directions in your booking email. Booking A ticket is required for all children attending, including older siblings. Each child needs to be accompanied by an adult, with a maximum of two children per adult. Who’s running the session? The session is led by a qualified Forest School leader with outdoor and paediatric first aid training. Our approach Our Forest School sessions are inspired by the Reggio Emilia pedagogy.