Babes in the Wood Family Forest School

General information

LOCATION
From Slaithwaite village centre, head along the canal past The Little Bridge wine bar opposite the Monsoon restaurant. Carry on past The Hand made bakery and other mill units until you come to the end of the mills and turn left. Continue right to the bottom and there is a footbridge on your right. Cross the footbridge and enter the Horsefield through the gate on your right.

If you get lost, please call us and we can come and find you.
Alan- 07980 898113
Rachel- 07805591910
Ruth - 07796692610

WHAT TO BRING
• Any food that you might want to have at snack time
• Suitable clothing, dress for the weather, if in doubt, wellies and waterproofs, hats and gloves.

WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME
• Any tools such as pen knives etc, these will be provided when necessary
• Tobacco and vaping products
• Alcohol or drugs
• Dogs and other animals

Forest Schools in the Colne Valley
For more information contact:
Alan- 07980 898113
Rachel- 07805591910
Ruth - 07796692610
info@bemoreoutdoors.org

Has your child’s attitude or behaviour changed as a result of the Babes in the woods programme?

‘I’ve noticed a very positive attitude to trying new things, and through the weekly storytelling he has learnt to listen to what is being said and apply his learning to tasks’

‘... more confidence to join in with activities. Loves being outside in the rain now!’

‘She has grown in confidence and is happy to explore the woods on her own now, within the boundaries’

Has your child learned anything?

‘The names of different plants and understanding that there are many different flowers’

‘Sharing, listening and joining in on stories and speaking out in front of a group’

‘To climb trees, jump in puddles, how to build scarecrows, outdoor crafts...... the list is endless, she learns so much each week’

Has your child talked about their time outdoors at babes?

‘He talks about the friends he’s made a lot and he’s really proud of the things he’s made’

‘Can we go every day?’

‘.....she is always talking about what we did at the previous sessions and wants to build a pirate ship where ever we go!!’

Has your involvement encouraged you as a parent/carer to use the outdoors more for play and learning?

‘I intend to plan more outdoor activities into my childminding practice and just enjoy being outside with the children’

‘As a childminder, i extend the activities at home and in other outdoor environments’

‘I have learnt more and different things to do for outdoor play’

Have you learned anything?

‘Plenty....... camp cooking, making things’

‘Playing outdoors is helping me switch off from the pressures of day to day life’

‘I am in a better mood when I come here!’

‘Confidence ..... me and the children have made new friends’

‘How to help our woods and wildlife, enjoyed building bug houses and planting/seeding areas to replenish them after our use’

‘I know how to make a dream catcher, cook fruit crumble on an open fire and be creative with natural materials’

‘We’ve been used to walking through woodland, but I now feel I can plan a longer time in the woods, telling stories and enjoying creative activities’

‘The weather has been terrible, but BITW has continued and reminds you that getting muddy and wet is GREAT and much more exciting than staying inside!’

Any other comments?

‘I feel that the children and I have been privileged to have had the opportunity of such a valuable experience’

‘We will be lost without our sessions. The staff are so knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic, each week is a pleasure’

‘It is fantastic. Me and the children have loved every session’

‘I love your ways of engaging children (and parents), its gentle and very effective. I love the use of stories and so do the children, who remember them afterwards’

‘Really good educational fun’

‘I cannot say enough good things about Babes in the woods..... we want more!’

‘It is lovely to be able to bring my older child in the school holidays to the sessions. She feels she is missing out when she is at school as my younger child is always talking about it. We really hope it continues so we can participate again in the future’

‘They have enjoyed the group activities particularly being set outside in the wood – it is something totally different to anything else on offer for toddlers’

‘Thank you for providing the interesting, muddy, creative sessions. Alan’s story telling always has the children gripped and we have taken part in some interesting and different crafts to create some beautiful items for the children to take home and share. It was a lovely last session for the children and adults to feel like we were giving something back to the woods. We look forward to going back to see if the grass and wildflowers we sowed have grown’

‘It would be wonderful to make this a permanent feature in the Colne Valley. Is there any way of combining this approach into a nursery for a couple of days per week?’

‘I have always avoided rain, but have made the effort in all weathers and always feel better for coming. I love feeling at one with nature and love that forest schools share the gift of nature with us and our children so they learn to love and care for the outdoors’
‘This is just a quick message to I am just emailing you to say how much both myself and Erin enjoyed our first Babes in the Wood session at Slaithwaite last Friday. Erin is still talking about it now, and has been showing everyone her toadstools that she made.
It is a shame that it was the last session for now, and we missed the previous ones as Erin was at nursery school.
Please put me on the mailing list about the meeting to discuss the future/ info about future sessions.
As I mentioned on Friday, an afternoon session would be good for those who attend playgroup/school in the mornings. There don't seem to be that many afternoon activities available at the moment.
Again, thank you for an amazing session- you are fantastic at what you do!!’

The children involved have gained confidence throughout their outdoor activities. They have improved their ability to explore and experiment with natural materials, becoming comfortable with getting dirty and wet. The adults(parents/carers involved have also improved in confidence, not only with exploration of the outdoors environment, but also in letting their children explore, climb and get dirty. From my point of view, it has encouraged me, as a Toddler supervisor, to apply for funding in order to clear and make child-safe the immediate outdoor area to the Toddler room so that outdoor play will be part of the continuous provision for a Toddler session.
Toddlers superviser, Slaithwaite Playgroup and Toddlers Organisation (SPLAT)