Creating Rich Experiences Outdoors (HW02)

Patient

Generous

Passionate

When I was a child, we moved a lot. Nature became my safe place, where I knew I belonged. Wherever we lived, I found plants I knew, my old friends Scarlet Pimpernell and Germander Speedwell and recognised those leaves, flowers and berries that tasted so good. I feel at home in the woods or wandering across the Berkshire Downs. Being in nature, noticing the colours in the sky, the tiniest of plants under my feet, hearing birds warning each other of my approach, and smelling the earth all help me remember I am a body, not just a brain full of whirring thoughts. I become whole.

Spotting the first snowdrop, the first primrose, the first swallow, collecting the first conker - noticing the signs of each year unfolding.

This qualification brings rigorous exploration of learning, joyful play, and deep reflection to the study of early childhood development in the outdoors, which has only been available in the mainstream through Forest School training. As a passionate advocate of Forest School, I know that this new Certificate in Outdoor Practice offers another opportunity for practitioners to delve into the nature of children’s play and the rich learning that simple, natural, and found materials offer when provided by skilled facilitators. I love the pace of this training and the many moments for reflection and evaluation woven into each module.

I am excited to join a team of skilled practitioners who are as fascinated by the craft of teaching adult learners as they are by early education. It is encouraging to know we are all committed to supporting our early years colleagues to become as excited by learning in the real world as they were when they were children. This new qualification contributes something fresh to the lives of early years practitioners, the children they work with, and the families they serve. It has excellent synergy with and complements quality Forest School training.