Exploring ideas with early years staff wanting to use a playwork approach with older children

An evaluation of a training day with  group of Early Years practitioners who were planning to run holiday sessions for older children and wanted some ideas and inspirations with a playwork approach. A wordle was created using from the evaluation feedback. The bigger the word, the more times it appeared during the evaluation.

For a larger version please click on the image.

Welcome to the brand spanking new Kindling website.

It’s been a couple of months in development and we’re really pleased with it. Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

There’s a whole host of information about training, playwork, Forest School, outdoor learning and the variety of workshops Kindling provides.

You can find out when the Level 3 Forest School Training courses are available and download a booking form to reserve your place. And of course, no site is complete these days without a blog - The Tinder Box, where ideas spark into life! You can subscribe to The Tinder Box by RSS or email or stay informed by joining the mailing list.

Want to see exactly what the children and trainees get up to with Kindling? Have a look at the gallery page, and don’t forget to check back – new content will be added!

If you have any questions or comments do contact Kindling, we’d love to hear from you.

Dates and venues are now available for the Forest School Level 3 Training with Kindling. For more information or to enquire about booking please contact Lily on 07789 723 061 or by email: mail@kindlingplayandtraining.co.uk.

21st-25th November 2011 (Assessment Week: 21st-25th May 2012)
Rookhow, Grizedale, Cumbria*
Download Booking Form Now

26th-30th March 2012 (Assessment Week: 24th-28th September 2012)
Rookhow, Grizedale, Cumbria*
Download Booking Form Now

Cost for Level 3 Forest School Training: £890 per person.

This course includes a free First Aid qualification which will be an additional two days of training. First Aid course dates will be sent after booking.

*This venue has basic accommodation on site which costs £16 per night. Details of how to book will be sent with confirmation of course booking.

If you want to hear from us when Forest School and other training courses are arranged then join the mailing list.

Discover more about the Forest School OCN courses.
Find out more about Forest School sessions.
Read more articles about Forest School in The Tinder Box.
View the Forest School Gallery.

Reflections and Evaluation

Bradford Community Environment Project (BCEP) has been involved in the Forest School networking group in Bradford since its inception, and have been involved with the development of Forest Schools in the Bradford District since 2005/6.

BCEP’s mission is to contribute to the sustainable regeneration of Bradford District, through effective environmental programmes, inspired by community needs. BCEP has been working in the Bradford District since 1996.

Support from Bradford Early Years Childcare and Play made it possible for BCEP to deliver a Forest School programme during February and March 2010.

The project was to work with 5 settings, with a minimum of 15 children per setting for 8 weeks. Within the time constraints of the project, 6 settings were identified.

By the end of the project:

• 100% of the children wanted to try new things
• 97% were keen to learn and participate
• 86% showed an awareness of their own needs

The Forest School sessions had a quantifiable impact on children’s self esteem and confidence, social skills, language and communication, motivation and concentration and physical skills.

Download the Bradford West Forest Schools Reflections and Evaluation [pdf]

“We’re going down to the woods today”

“We’re Going Down to the Woods Today” was a Forest School project developed in partnership with Carr Manor Primary School by Lily Horseman of Kindling.

Carr Manor was a Creative Partnerships Enquiry school during 2009/10 and this project came about as a result of their enquiry question.

Established in 2002, Creative Partnerships is the Government’s flagship creative learning programme, designed to develop the skills of young people across England, raising their aspirations and achievements and opening up more opportunities for their futures. This Case Study is drawn from the project end form completed by Annie Berrington of Get Out More who was the Creative Agent overseeing the project.

What impact does a programme of exiting, meaningful outdoor experiences in local woods have on the outcomes of a group of nursery children, mainly boys, some of whom have English as an additional language?

Download Carr Manor Primary Forest School Case Study [pdf]