Little Shoots Farm & Forest School
A group for children from 2 - 5 years and their parents / carers at The Community Farm in Chew Magna.
“Little Shoots is a special group, it’s so wholesome, relaxed and friendly, my children and I love attending. The location is beautiful, calming and grounding.
There is plenty of lovely engaging activities, lots of interesting spaces to explore topped of with beautiful stories and songs that gently teach children care and respect for their environment. My children never want to leave!” Zena
Our group is currently taking a little break. Please register your interest using the button below:
When and where
Tuesdays, 10am-11.30am in term-time
Location: The Community Farm, Chew Magna
We have use of the farm’s roundhouse and outdoor shelter. Compost toilets available.
Age-range
Our recommended age-range is 2 - 5 year olds due to the craft activities we have on offer however we do have some children in the group aged 18 months. You know your child best so please do feel free to try a session. If you decide it is not right for you and your child after the first session we will refund the rest of the term. Pre-walking babies are free of charge.
What to expect
Spending time in nature from an early age has a whole host of physical and cognitive benefits as well as helping shape life-long positive environmental attitudes. The ever-changing surroundings on the farm on both the fields and wild spaces, means that there is always something new for children to explore (and taste!) and during this process they inevitably become more connected with nature, how food is grown and how it changes through the seasons.
As a Forest School we encourage children to explore the nature around them and follow their interests - whether that is cooking up a storm in the Mud Cafe, cooking a snack over the campfire, exploring what lives in the pond or getting stuck in with a seasonal craft activity - learning is richest during self-directed play. The activities will be in line with the seasons and will involve natural crafts, planting and tasting crops and exploring the incredible wildlife at the farm! During each session we will come together for nature inspired songs and stories. At least once per term we also cook snacks over the campfire :-)
Our sessions are not just about the little ones! Spending time outdoors with friendly familiar faces in the outdoors is a wonderful opportunity for you, as a parent or guardian (and a human being!) to unwind, connect with others and watch your child happily at play.
Tea and coffee will be provided for accompanying adults and milk for little ones.
“Little Shoots has the perfect balance between (optional) structure and free range outdoor play. We forage, make fires, plant seeds, cook snacks, do arts and crafts with natural materials, read stories, sing, and so on…. We both love it: my daughter has a great time and as a parent, it is the most calm, grounded and present I feel in the week.” Rosie
Cost
Sessions are payable as a half-term in advance (usually 6-7 weeks) and work out at £10.50 per session for one child and an additional £4 per session for siblings. Pre-walking baby siblings are free.
We do block bookings in this way so that it is in-line with the requirements of a ‘forest school’ allowing us to observe and get to know your child over time and introduce activities in-line with their interests and development.
If you are joining us for the first time then rest assured that if after your first session you decide the group isn’t for you we will happily refund the remaining sessions that term provided you let us know within 48 hours of the first session.
About our Forest School Leader
Amanda has specialised in working with children in the early years and their families, delivering forest school programmes and also an advisory teacher with BANES Early Years service with a focus on outdoor play. In addition to her Forest School experience she also runs a rhythm and rhyme group with pre-school children and their parents / carers. She is fun, energetic and passionate about connecting children with nature through the seasons.
Amanda is Level 3 Forest School trained and paediatric first aid trained. She will be joined by Alicia as an assistant. Both Amanda and Alicia are enhanced DBS checked.
Cancellation Policy
Since bookings are made in advance for the term and spaces are limited we regret that we cannot offer refunds if you and your child are unable to attend any sessions paid for in advance. However, for new families joining the group, if after your first session you decide the group isn’t for you we will happily refund the remaining sessions provided you let us know within 48 hours of the first session.
If situations out of our control ('acts of god' and ‘force majeure’) force us to cancel a session, for example high winds; electrical storms; pandemic, we will offer you a credit towards the following half-term.
If we need to cancel a session for any other reason you will be offered a refund or a credit. In all cases where we need to cancel we will let you know as soon as possible.