Forest School at Heddington & Cherhill Preschools

Two young boys playing in a tree, one with blonde hair wearing a camouflage shirt and the other wearing a blue cap with cartoon designs, holding a tree trunk and surrounded by green leaves.

Learning through nature, confidence through exploration

At Heddington & Cherhill Preschools, Forest School is an important part of our approach to early years education. It’s a unique outdoor learning experience that helps children grow in confidence, independence, and self-esteem through hands-on activities in a natural woodland setting.

Children take part in exciting and achievable tasks that encourage curiosity, teamwork, and resilience - all year round and in almost all weather conditions.

What Is Forest School?

Illustration of two green pine branches on a brown log with small plants at the base.

Forest School is a child-centred approach to learning that originated in Denmark, where it was first developed for preschool children. Research showed that children who regularly attended Forest School arrived at school with stronger social skills, communication, and problem-solving abilities. They were more confident, able to work effectively in groups, and better prepared for academic learning.

Today, Forest School continues to offer young children a chance to connect with the natural world while building important life skills in a fun, active way.

Young girl in a floral dress and sun hat holding a magnifying glass, smiling, outdoors with children and adults in the background.

What Children Gain from Forest School

  • Increased self-confidence and self-awareness

  • Improved physical coordination and risk awareness

  • Stronger social and communication skills

  • Respect for nature and understanding of the environment

  • Motivation, creativity, and independence

Forest School Activities

  • A woman with brown hair tied back, wearing a navy blue t-shirt, points at something in a small outdoor pond with three young children gathered around, observing closely. The pond is surrounded by greenery.

    Nature exploration & woodland walks

  • Man showing small glass jar to two children, one child holding the jar, all close together outdoors.

    Studying wildlife and seasonal changes

  • Two young children wearing hats and casual clothes are playing outdoors with a green plastic grid, orange traffic cones, and other toys on the grass.

    Building dens and natural shelters

  • A young boy with curly hair in a light-colored shirt is smiling and holding a small green fruit, possibly an olive, with a fork. He is outdoors, near a wooden fence, with a metal strainer, various utensils, and small bowls of green fruits on a rustic wooden table.

    Fire building and campfire cooking

  • Four young boys sitting on artificial grass, holding small pink paper airplanes, smiling and enjoying a playful moment outdoors.

    Imaginative play and group games

  • A woman with sunglasses showing a wooden disk with red puzzle piece shapes to children.

    Natural arts & crafts using sticks, leaves and clay

  • A young boy with red hair wearing a navy blue polo shirt with a preschool logo is watching a woman operate a drill on a small wooden piece outdoors. The background shows a colorful, blurred fence and greenery.

    Using real tools in safe, supervised ways

  • A young boy with blond hair smiling and peeking through a small opening in a wooden structure, surrounded by green leaves and branches.

    Scavenger hunts and mini-adventures

A woman holding a young boy pointing at a tree in a lush green garden.

A Safe, Supportive Environment

Our trained staff support children to take appropriate risks, solve problems, and work together. Activities are always risk-assessed and age-appropriate, allowing children to build confidence safely while developing practical skills.