Welcome to Dare Valley Forest School, where we ignite a passion for nature and outdoor exploration. Our inclusive Forest School, located in Dare Valley Community Woodland, offers purposeful child-led learning experiences that nurture confident and happy children.
Our Sessions:
Ladybirds Nature Parent & Toddler Group
Ages 1-4 (siblings welcome)
Child-led activities can include:
Mud Kitchen, chicken hugs, mini beast hunts, marshmallow toasting, sand pit, water play, construction area, sensory play, nature painting, crafts, story time.
Wildlings Home Education Group
Ages 8-16 (siblings welcome)
Child-led activites can include:
Den building, fire, bushcraft tools, plant & animal identification skills, conservation projects & craft projects or just come along to have fun!
Bushcraft Club
Ages 8-15 (drop off)
Child-led activities can include:
Free play, nature crafts, exploring, tool use, woodwork, tree climbing, safe fire lighting techniques, hot chocolates, marshmallow toasting, den building, nature ID skills.
Nature Photography Club
Ages 8-15 (drop off)
Child-led activities can include:
Use of our photography equipment, learning photo and video techniques, challenges, woodland exploration, editing skills, seasonal projects, underwater filming, social media tips.
Skogsmulle Home Education Group
Ages 3-7 (siblings welcome)
Child-led activities can include:
Storytelling, songs, nature arts and crafts, sensory activities, nature walks, nature studies, mud kitchen, water play, basic tool use.
Explorers After School Club
Ages 8-15 (drop off)
Child-led activities can include:
Free play, nature crafts, exploring, tool use, woodwork, tree climbing, safe fire lighting techniques, hot chocolates, marshmallow toasting, den building.
Things to explore and learn at our woodland:
Log Circle
Our log circle is where any activities related to tools or fire will happen. This is also where the hot drinks and snacks will be. Next to our log circle is our arts and crafts area.
Animal Care
We have lots of friendly animals that are free range at our site and love hugs! We have chickens, a duck, baby chicks and even a ferret enclosure!
Mud Kitchen Area
Our mud kitchen area includes several mud kitchen tables, a play cafe, two tuff trays to be used for activities, a natural paint easel, a pirate ship sand pit, balance beams, and construction area.
Stream and Water Play
We have a stream that runs through our woodland where children can explore, splash, and look for wildlife that lives there. There is also a tree swing that goes over the stream and a rope to climb up the hill behind it which adds a great element of risk and challenge for the children.
Wild Area
Our wild area includes a bird watching area with bird feeders, information sheets about birds that live at our woodland, a hammock and a suction cup archery set.
Music Area
We have a music area next to our stream that has different natural and recycled materials to create music with, each making different sounds. We also have billingual nursery rhyme sheets on display here.