SCOTTISH PLAY FOREST KINDERGARTEN

This course is also available for businesses interested in training and development of their employees.
To register your interest, please click HERE to open the Business Development contact page.

Intro to the course:

The aim of the course is to enable Early Years practitioners to organise, safely set up and facilitate forest kindergarten sessions. These sessions will be regular and routine off-site visits to a local woodland or nearby greenspace for children in their setting. The training will be delivered in a group setting over two days (however this can be discussed if you require some flexibility).

The focus on Child-Centered play ensures that you will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to deliver Forest Learning.  There is also a drive to promote reflective practice and allow you develop holistically as a practitioner. 

Who is the course for?

This course has been put together to specifically meet the needs of early years practitioners who would like to set up a regular routine of off-site visits to a local wood or nearby greenspace for children in their setting. It is becoming increasingly recognised that there are many benefits to allowing children to play freely in local woodlands on a frequent and regular basis. This includes increased physical activity, greater knowledge about nature and in the long term, a stronger likelihood that these children grow up to become adults who understand and demonstrate positive attitudes and actions towards caring for the environment.

What will I study?

This course recognises the value of woodlands as an integral part of the learning process for pre-school children. It has been carefully designed to equip practitioners with the knowledge, understanding and skills to enable children in their setting to play in local woods and other greenspace. It is based upon practice observed in Scotland and internationally in forest and nature kindergartens . The advice contained in Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning 2010.

You will look at health and safety within outdoor settings, lesson planning, delivery and evaluation with the full support of lecturing staffl.

Next step course options

This course may provide an ideal stepping stone to other Continuing Professional Development opportunities including forest kindergarten supplementary skills training  in fire, ropes and tools as well as forest school leader training and postgraduate degree courses which look at different aspects of learning outside and the need for children to have contact with nature.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through a combination of questions and discussions, written assessments and observation. 

The college has a learning support hub, which can provide support and advice for assessments.

Why should I choose this course?

This course is ideal for childcare practitioners wishing to learn and be more confident in an outdoor setting.

It is widely recognised that the benefits of outdoor learning and engagement have significant benefits for health, wellbeing and social skills. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills required to support children in their development whilst enjoying the outdoors. 

Our highly skilled and committed lecturing team will strive to provide you have a positive learning experience and the desire to progress further in your career. 

If you would like to discuss delivery times and arrangements, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss options. 

Where can this course lead?

N/A

What are the entry requirements?

This course is suitable for those working or volunteering in Childcare or Early Years. In your personal statement, please advise of your experience. 

What are the interview arrangements?

There is no interview for this course, however if applying through the website, please advise in your personal statement why you are interested in this course. 

If booking a group in, please get in touch for more information as to next steps. 

Fees, finance and funding

Fees for short full time is £180

Fees for part time is £180

Please note, fees are subject to change, please double-check this when enrolling in your course

For more information please visit the finance pages - Fees, finance and funding options.

Other information:

This course provides a strong base from which to develop your Outdoor learning and approaches to play