Our Journey to LOtC Mark Gold. Family team, qualified in Early Years, levels 3 - Level 6, EYP, Pack away pre-school, based in a Youth Centre in need.

Our Journey to LOtC Mark Gold.

• Family team, qualified in Early Years, levels 3 - Level 6, EYP,

• Pack away pre-school, based in a Youth Centre in need of upgrading,

• Edge of local village, • In 2011 the Local Authority condemned

the Youth Centre and closed it down,• Pre-School was moved into Kate’s house

for 6 months,

• We set up a committee that raised funds to refurbish the building,

• Rented a portacabin on the Youth Centre site for 4 months, whilst building was being refurbished,

• In January 2012, we moved back into the Youth Centre, which had become a Community Centre offering sports facilities,

• Soon realised the Centre no longer suited our needs and searched for new premises,

• Our real journey to LOtC GOLD began in August 2012 when we moved to a bungalow in the grounds of the beautiful National Trust Estate of Polesden Lacey, in Bookham, Surrey.

• Throughout the uncertain times all our pre-school families remained loyal and supported us.

We had moved 1 mile outside of the village,

however we did not leave the village behind…

Every year we visit Keswick House, a care home for elderly residents to sing our Harvest Songs. The children and families collect harvest gifts to present to the elderly.

Visit to local Library

Visit to local Infant School to support

Transition

• Families meet us in the local park,• Safe place and toilet,• High Visibility jackets,• Walking Bus line,• 4 Seater buggy,• Lots of lovelyComments fromPassers by.

Last summer we were contacted by a British teacher, now teaching at a pre-school in Sweden and asked if our children would like to become pen pals with her pre-school children.

Now in the Early stages of Contacting Spain And France.

Areas of the main garden:•Natural Art area,•Water play area with pulley’s and drain pipes,•Story circle,

•Natural Den,•Natural balancing,•Natural interest table,

• Slide, See-saw, • Climbing frame,• Bikes and Cars,• Big walk-in sand

pit,

• The Big running garden,

• Outside Music,• Activity

Garden.

• Fire Square,• Children’s fire

square,• Safety Square

for tool work.

Our planning is flexible and child led.

We plan activities that can take place inside and outside.

We look for the ‘Risk benefit’.

Children free flow between the inside and outside environments ‘Whatever the Weather’.

Life is not about waiting for the

storm to pass, its about learning to dance in the rain.

• We have been a Forest School for 4 years,• We are both Level 3 Forest School leaders.

We trained with Surrey and Sussex Wildlife trust.

• 2 members of staff just handed in their Level 3 portfolio,

• 2 members of staff hoping to do their level 3 Forest School leaders training,

• We are currently delivering Forest School sessions to 2 local infant schools, following practitioner workshops.

• Forest School plays a key role in our approach to learning outside the classroom,

• Everyone goes to Forest School, no one is left behind,

• Babies and toddlers sleep in the woods• Nappy’s are changed in the woods,

Safety Circle Den Building

Cooking lunch and stopping for snack

We enjoy Wander Walks around the Estate:•Visiting the big house for a Christmas tour,•Visiting the restaurant,

Every term we hold events, where all families are invited to join us:•Harvest Song Time,•Christmas Party and Concert,•Polesden Lacey House at Christmas visit,•Spring Song Time,•Sports Day and School Leavers Event,•Strawberry picking,•Family Forest School Cook Out,•Parent/Carer Forest School Workshop.

• Parent and

practitioner Forest School workshops,

• We host EYP/EYT networks

• We are members of the Surrey Forest School Association Local group and host network meetings.

Without the support of our parents, LOtC would not be possible at Bus Stop.

“Thank you for caring for my children like you would your own. Thank you for messy play, muddy walks, filthy clothes. You will always be a major part of our memories as carers, teachers and friends. (Louise, 2014).

“Rosie’s 2 year

anniversary and she still

hasn’t had a sick day.

Hooray for all the lovely

fresh air and healthy

woodland walks”. (Heidi,

2015)

“We particularly love all the outdoor

activities that Bus Stop organises

and all the walks they go on – to us

learning about nature and the world

around us is very important!”.

(Emily, 2015)

“Every week something new seems to appear in the garden for the children to sit on, hang from, hide in, touch, smell or generally wonder at” (Susan, 2015).

“Every toddlers dream, getting back to nature in a truly wholesome and caring environment. From campfires in the woods toasting marshmallows to singing harvest songs to the elderly”. (Maxine, 2013)

• Look at what you are already doing within your setting,

• Motivate your staff team:- Outdoor workshops,- Staff Recruitment policy.

• Partnership with parents:- Outdoor workshops,- Develop an understanding of the

positive impact upon children’s learning and development outside the classroom.

• To develop Bus Stop as a Forest School training centre under the Cambium umbrella.

• Continue to support local Infant schools to deliver Forest School sessions.

• Develop our setting as an ECO school.

• Support and encourage local practitioners to go on their own LOtC journey.