FAQs
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, where you'll find answers to the most common enquiries that we receive at Little Crickets Forest School. If there is something else that you'd like to know, then please ask! We can be reached at [email protected] or on [email protected]
Are we open all year round?
Yes, we are open year-round, providing continuous learning opportunities. While we follow seasonal rhythms, our outdoor environment ensures that each season offers unique learning experiences. We are always open to scheduling visits please get in touch to arrange a tour or discuss your needs.
What does a typical day look like?
A typical day involves a blend of structured activities and free play in the outdoors. Children engage in activities such as storytelling, nature walks, tree climbing, den building, and arts & crafts using natural materials. There is a balance of group activities and independent exploration, with time for snacks, lunch, and rest.
How do you ensure children's safety in the outdoor environment?
Safety is our top priority. All staff are fully trained in outdoor first aid and risk assessment, and we carry out regular safety checks on equipment and outdoor spaces. We also teach children to assess risks and make decisions about their own safety, empowering them to understand their environment.
What is a Forest School?
A Forest School is an outdoor-based approach to early childhood education that emphasizes child-led learning, exploration, and play in natural environments. Children are encouraged to explore, take risks, and develop practical skills in a forest or outdoor setting, which promotes a strong connection to nature and helps foster resilience, creativity, and independence.
How do I register my child for the nursery?
To register, please visit our Enquiry Form page, where you can submit your child’s details. We will arrange a time to meet, discuss our approach, and give you a tour of the facilities. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have during the registration process.
How do I sign up ?
Please get in touch via email at [email protected] with your requested days and age of child. We would always recommend visiting our site prior to registering.
Is there a minimum session requirement?
In order to give children the best learning opportunities and the quickest settling process, we ask for children to attend for a minimum of 4 sessions per week. This can be 4 x mornings, 4x afternoons, 2 x full days, or a mixture!
How does funding work?
Your child is able to access 570 hours of free early education or childcare per year from the term after their third birthday. Little Crickets Forest School offers this funding. However, as we are open 51 weeks of the year, funding is stretched. 15 hours is stretched to 11 hours and 30 hours is stretched to 22.
Can I visit the Forest School?
Absolutely! It’s not a requirement that you visit before joining, but we encourage all prospective parents to come and see the Forest School in action. To book a visit, contact us via email to arrange a time and date that suits you. We aim to be as flexible as possible.
What do you do when it rains, or it is cold?
Play! Remaining warm and dry is the most important element to create happiness and creative play, regardless of the weather. In particularly cold or wet weather, we have large, lightweight tarpaulin sheets that we rig up to provide wind-breaks and extra protection when we don’t want to let a sudden downpour disrupt our games and learning. We are also lucky enough to have a large Mongolian yurt for those colder days. We find that as long as children have good outdoor clothing, are out of any biting wind and that their hands are warm, they are happy to play outdoors regardless of the weather.
We often have a fire available at snack time on cold days, and will often have a hot drink. We are also fortunate to have skilled educators who are quickly able to put up cosy shelters, especially for the wettest and coldest conditions. If nurseries and primary schools in Scandinavia can spend the majority of their time playing in the woods in their challenging climate, we can certainly manage it in Bournemouth!
What about severe storms?
Our aim is to be outdoors in rain, wind, or shine, but in severe storms, where safety could be compromised, we will return to our yurt and remain in our indoor facility until the weather passes. In the event that we feel that the children need additional shelter, we will head over to the Cricket Pavilion where we can utilise a private indoor space.
What about toileting?
We have our own toilet block on our site with warm running water. For children still in nappies, we have a special nappy changing area within our site. Parents will need to provide nappies and wipes daily.
What if my child needs a nap during the day?
For those children who are still sleeping during the day, we have a warm, cosy yurt for sleeping time. All that fresh air usually encourages great sleep. Parents will need to provide a sleeping bag or a blanket.
What will my child eat?
A big part of our role in your children’s lives is to promote the importance of a healthy lifestyle. An essential element of this is providing nutritious, energy-giving snacks and meals for the children. We change our menus seasonally to allow us to enjoy the best ingredients available to us.