Intro for Parents
Thank you for choosing Kinder Croft CIC Outdoor Nursery. We are excited to welcome your child into the forest and begin this journey together.
This page provides more information about what it might look like for your child to attend our forest nursery and what both you and your child can look forward to at Kinder Croft CIC. We also hope to offer some practical advice and helpful details, so that you can build a picture of how your child can make the most of their experience in the forest.
Settling in
Some children will settle quickly, while others may take longer to adjust to the setting, the staff, and their new peers. During the settling-in period, we prioritize providing as much one-on-one time as possible to help your child feel at ease. This may involve starting with shorter days and gradually increasing the duration over the course of a few weeks, or for as long as your child needs to feel comfortable.
We kindly ask that during the initial settling phase, you or another caregiver be available in case your child needs to come home early. Our goal is to make this transition as smooth and positive as possible for both your child and your family.
A day in the life
What will my child do all day?
"Before we ever put a pencil in a child's hand, those hands should dig, climb, press, pull, squish, twist and pinch a wide array of environments and with a variety of materials." Amanda Morgan
The nursery is Free Play and led by the children. Every day we listen to their ideas and support them to bring them to life, using the tools and natural resources we have to hand. Wherever possible we will try to extend the children's knowledge and learning by asking questions, providing materials that challenge, while also helping to find solutions and offering practical support and guidance where necessary.
Starting Nursery
Starting nursery is an exciting milestone for both children and their families, often marking the first time a child is away from their primary caregiver for an extended period. At Kinder Croft, we recognise that while this new chapter is filled with potential, it can also bring emotional challenges for both children and parents. As an outdoor setting, we are particularly aware that this may be the first time a child has spent significant periods of the day outdoors.
Research consistently shows that playing and learning in nature offers a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits for young children. That's why we are delighted to offer your child the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow at their own pace, in a safe and stimulating natural environment.
Our team of fully qualified and compassionate staff is dedicated to guiding your child through every step of their adventure. We provide the support and nurturing they need to settle in, thrive, and enjoy the full range of experiences our outdoor setting has to offer. At Kinder Croft, every child’s journey is unique, and we are here to help them flourish every step of the way.
Risk and responsibility
Central to the experience we offer at Kinder Croft is the encouragement for the children to feel a sense of ownership for the space they inhabit.
This begins when the children are first settling in. As a group we walk around the border of the site and tie red ribbons onto the branches of the trees to map out the site edge and give the children a clear indication of the space that is theirs to explore and play in.
This is a fun activity which helps to reinforce a sense of responsibility for the site. Over the course of the first few weeks of each term we repeat the ribbon tying game. It is always encouraging to see the older children helping the younger ones in this process and beginning to make the space their own through free play, building, creating, climbing and making. The children are supervised at all times but encouraged to question their actions and make their own risk assessments with simple questions.
"Does that feel safe?" "What will happen next?" "What is the safest way to achieve that?"
We encourage the use of tools where necessary, with practitioners assisting and showing best practice in tool handling. Our learning approach favours process rather than outcome. This encourages children to learn that it's ok to make mistakes with an emphasis on the journey rather than the destination.
