Monkey Puzzle Tatsfield understands and emphasises the importance of outdoor space for our children to run, play and explore the world around them. We have several outdoor areas for the children to use throughout the day to gain all of the benefits of fresh air and exercise. 

Forest School

Forest School offers nature-based learning sessions that can be adapted to an individual’s needs and interests. Based on holistic learning practices and Scandinavian principles, our forest school stresses the importance of wellbeing in education and helps children, and adults alike, learn at their own pace and in their own way. 

Our children learn through play and exploration and we champion the learning of both the world within us and the world around us. Our Forest School adheres to the Six Principles of Forest School. We believe in teaching the things that aren’t necessarily taught in a classroom, building resilience, a sense of self, a deep connection to nature and strong foundations for the future.

In our Preschool, we have used this practice to develop a new garden area just for our preschoolers. This area is being developed with the children and is a place where their ideas, drawings, planning and interest are being brought to life.

So far we have created a ‘Science of Growing’ area alongside our planting and growing greenhouses. The children look after this area and we are looking forward to celebrating and eating the foods that will grow here. Another very popular area is our ‘Fairy Garden’ bringing our love of magic to every day activities with the children.

Some of the activities that we enjoy are cooking around the fire and learning about fire safety, safe tool use, risk taking and deepening our connection with nature.

Watch this space as we have so much more to come!