Congratulations to Squirrels Tabernacle Nursery in Beaconsfield who have become our first FSA Recognised Early Years Forest School Provider in Buckinghamshire!
The staff at Squirrels Tabernacle Nursery are extremely delighted and proud that their nursery has been awarded “Recognised Forest School Status”. They have been informed by the Forest School Association that they are the first Early Years provider in Buckinghamshire to have achieved this. Tina Brindley the Nursery Manager and Forest School Leader said “We have enjoyed the journey over the past few years developing and growing our Forest School with the full support of local families, staff and children. It has been a very rewarding learning process for us all”.
Squirrels Tabernacle Nursery Ltd has fully embraced the forest school ethos and philosophy in its home setting and at its special forest school venue. They have found that the principle of using the environment as the 3rd teacher greatly enriches the learning experiences of children and staff. Penny Scott, Owner, said that she believes that having sustained and nourishing relationships with the natural world is building lifelong learning memories for the children. She said “I am proud that we are helping young children to access the de-stressing impact of nature. In this technological stressful world this is surely a gift for life”.
The nursery practitioners have witnessed increased holistic development in the children, as well as, more specifically, measurable improvement in their communication, self-confidence and independent skills, making the children ready for their next step to school. Tina Brindley said she felt the nursery was well supported by the Forest School Association in the experience of becoming registered. The application process was very fluid and supportive in nature and the accreditation demonstrated the high standards that were already in place, but support from the professional body has helped us to articulate them better.
