Early years forest school is a hit all round

The forest school started with an exploration and introduction day, with children investigating the base area, climbing trees and learning their forest school song.

Kate Spence, founder of the forest school in Boothby Pagnell, Grantham, said, 'The launch was a great success. Lots of the children have said they would like to come every day and parents are really eager to alter their plans so their children can experience the new forest school sessions.

'The early years centre is attached to a sheep rearing and arable farm and was set up in 2002 as a farm diversification project. We are registered for 78 children and currently we have 73 children who attend, averaging around 45 to 50 children a day, plus 12 after school.'

Held two to three times a week for three different groups of three-to-four year olds, each session is based on a theme, such as mini-beasts or exploration. Typically the children would load a trolley with the resources they need, navigate as a team to the school's base camp and evaluate what they have learned at the end of the session.

Ms Spence, who also runs the centre's out-of-school club, is the daughter and niece of owners Kathryn Spence and Julie Saxty. She decided to set up the forest school after gaining permission from the Forestry Commission to use Boothby Great Wood and receiving positive feedback on the idea from parents and staff.

Ms Spence is now working towards her Forest Schools Leader level 3 award, which will enable affiliation to the Forest Education Initiative (FEI), whose aim is to increase young people's understanding of trees and their importance.

The centre is to review the forest school sessions at Easter and consider whether to increase the number of sessions each week if demand warrants it.